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Battery saver active message?

Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,000 MILES
Check battery charging system message and then battery saver active message. Battery light is on solid. Car starts chiming then the ABS light, the traction control light comes on and then the vehicle shuts off. Replaced the alternator and the battery had them both tested 2 times and battery was fully charged. Drove the car for about 4 miles and then the messages started again and then it shut off. But the interior lights come on when you open the door, and the odometer shows the milage, but it won't start.
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Friday, August 23rd, 2024 AT 8:30 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator is not charging, but you say you had it tested, correct? There are two fuses that run the charging system I need you to check, here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Also, can you jump the battery to get it running and then check the voltage at the battery?

These guides can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Here are the two fuses to be checked. RVC SEN fuse 10 amp and the DISPLAY fuse 10 amp as well under the hood. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, August 24th, 2024 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I checked the fuses, and they were good. I tried to jump start it and I also tested the circuits as well. I used a code reader nothing came up. Before I was able to get back out of the car to disconnect the jumper cables I noticed it was trying to shut off while it was still connected to the good battery.
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Monday, August 26th, 2024 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
When the engine is running did you check the alternator output voltage? Here is the wiring diagrams for the charging system. You can see the instrument cluster, PCM and BCM are involved with the system. When you say there are no codes did you do a CAN scan? You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon here is a video to show you how.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, August 26th, 2024 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The car won't turn over. When I turn the key there nothing no lights no nothing. If I connect it with jumper cables to another vehicle it'll start no problem but it doesn't stay started the battery light comes on and once the cables are disconnected it shuts off.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2024 AT 12:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
You must have a defective battery or dirty battery cables terminals. I would remove the battery and have it tested and also go over this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2024 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
This is after disconnecting the cables was running by itself for like 5 minutes.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2024 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
That is a good one. I would start by having the battery tested and clean the cable ends. If the problem is still there you might have an ignition switch or BCM problem. I would do a CAN scan to see if any codes are stored. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Friday, September 6th, 2024 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No codes keeps showing.
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Monday, September 30th, 2024 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
When the engine is running does the alternator charge? Here is a guide to help us check it.

Also, that scanner says it does the CAN, but I am not convinced, some scanners say they can do the CAN but don't FYI.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

The "Battery Saver Active" message on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala typically indicates that the vehicle's electrical system has detected a drop in battery voltage.

This should be a charging system problem. Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
LATHINA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you so much for your help! I finally figured out what was wrong with it. My starter had a bolt that was broken off. Just kind of sitting there and I replaced it and my car is running just fine now but I appreciate all your help.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 9:06 AM

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