Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com - View Single Post

Parts Peddler · 02-16-2025, 05:40 PM

So, I was driving home Friday night when suddenly my DIC displayed "Battery Saver Active". I turned my DIC to battery voltage and it read, 10.9 volts. After a couple of minutes the DIC read "Service Changing System". Fortunately, I was able to make it home, about 15 minute drive. I put my charger on the battery and called it a night.

Saturday morning, I started my diagnosis and my Topdon battery and charging system tester showed no output from the alternator. Seemed like a slam dunk. I pulled the alternator out. Fortunately, it's an easy job. I took it O'Reilly's to have it tested. It tested good. I was not expecting that. Now I was puzzled.

So, I took it to Autozone to get a second opinion. Again, it tested good. Damn!

Next, I took my battery out and took it to Autozone to be tested. It was a Delco 94RAGM, about 3 1/2 years old. It tested low, 12.3v. That's when I noticed that one end of it was beginning to bulge a little. I took that as a sign that it was on its way out, so I bit the bullet and bought a new Autozone battery.

I came home and reinstalled the alternator and the battery. Started my car and voltage showed 12.0v. I drove around for a little over a half hour, then stopped at Autozone to have the system checked while in the car. While driving, the voltage dropped, slowly, to 11.5. At Autozone I was told the battery voltage was too low to test the charging system or the battery.

I drove home. Along the way, the voltage dropped to 11.3v. I came inside to ponder the situation.

Today, Sunday, the 16th, which just happen to be my birthday, I threw my charger on the battery in the morning and went out with the wife for a few hours. I came back to a Delco battery current sensor that I ordered sitting on the porch. Yay me! I installed it but my issue persisted.

I've run out of ideas. Could the alternator still be the problem, even though it tested good, off the car?

Does anyone have any other thoughts on what the problem could be? I'm baffled.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

02-16-2025, 05:40 PM	#1
Parts Peddler Drives: 2014 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Antelope, Ca Posts: 100 View My Garage	Charging system issues So, I was driving home Friday night when suddenly my DIC displayed "Battery Saver Active". I turned my DIC to battery voltage and it read, 10.9 volts. After a couple of minutes the DIC read "Service Changing System". Fortunately, I was able to make it home, about 15 minute drive. I put my charger on the battery and called it a night. Saturday morning, I started my diagnosis and my Topdon battery and charging system tester showed no output from the alternator. Seemed like a slam dunk. I pulled the alternator out. Fortunately, it's an easy job. I took it O'Reilly's to have it tested. It tested good. I was not expecting that. Now I was puzzled. So, I took it to Autozone to get a second opinion. Again, it tested good. Damn! Next, I took my battery out and took it to Autozone to be tested. It was a Delco 94RAGM, about 3 1/2 years old. It tested low, 12.3v. That's when I noticed that one end of it was beginning to bulge a little. I took that as a sign that it was on its way out, so I bit the bullet and bought a new Autozone battery. I came home and reinstalled the alternator and the battery. Started my car and voltage showed 12.0v. I drove around for a little over a half hour, then stopped at Autozone to have the system checked while in the car. While driving, the voltage dropped, slowly, to 11.5. At Autozone I was told the battery voltage was too low to test the charging system or the battery. I drove home. Along the way, the voltage dropped to 11.3v. I came inside to ponder the situation. Today, Sunday, the 16th, which just happen to be my birthday, I threw my charger on the battery in the morning and went out with the wife for a few hours. I came back to a Delco battery current sensor that I ordered sitting on the porch. Yay me! I installed it but my issue persisted. I've run out of ideas. Could the alternator still be the problem, even though it tested good, off the car? Does anyone have any other thoughts on what the problem could be? I'm baffled. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.