By In the past couple of years, I have had several Chevys arrive at my shop with the Service Battery Charging System Light on.
After working on several of these cars, I figured it was the Alternator.
I discovered that a “service Battery Charging System Chevy Traverse” on a Chevrolet Traverse could be caused by a variety of other things.
This article will cover the basic causes of the check charging system to illuminate and how to resolve the problem.
What Does “Service Battery Charging System Mean” on a ChevyTraverse
Chevrolet vehicles use variable charging, which means that the Alternator (Battery Control module) is controlled by BCM.
The BCM will illuminate the Check Battery Charging System light when it detects an issue with the charging voltage.
When you see the Check Charging System light on your Chevy Traverse, it simply means that the BCM does not receive enough voltage to function properly.
It can be caused by many different issues, which I will discuss below.
There are many different reasons for the Check Charging System Light. I will explain each of them so you can identify which one is the cause of your problem. The first is the most common.
Chevy Traverse Service Battery Charger Causes
Bad Battery Current Sensor (BCS)
Battery current sensors measure voltage and amperage in order to determine if the battery is still good.
Monitoring the current between the Alternator and the battery can also help identify charging problems.
This sensor will not be able to detect if your Alternator is supplying enough power if there is a problem.
Failing Alternator:
The Alternator works as a generator to charge the battery and power your vehicle’s electrical system. Your battery will lose power and not be charged if it breaks down.
You may also see your vehicle’s check charging system light come on if you do not have sufficient power to run the electrical system.
Bad Battery
Battery life decreases over time due to wear and tear.
The “service battery charging systems” light will illuminate if your battery does not hold a charge properly. Chevrolet recommends that you replace your battery every 3 to 5 years.
Dirty/Corroded Terminals:
The “service battery charging” light will illuminate if your battery terminals have become dirty or corroded. This is because the electrical system of your vehicle and the battery is not connected properly.
To remove any corrosion, you can use a wire brush and hot water.
The cable connecting to the Alternator:
The Alternator may not be able to provide enough power to your Traverse Battery if the cable connecting the battery to the Alternator is loose, melted, or damaged. It is the same for the cable connected to your Traverse battery.
How to fix the service battery charging system fault on a Traverse
Check your battery:
Clean the terminals if they’re dirty or corroded with hot water and a wire brush if necessary. Have the battery tested to ensure it is not faulty.
Check the Alternator
You can check if your Alternator works properly by hiring a professional to do so or testing it with a Voltmeter. An alternator that is working should range from 12.2V to 13-14.5V.
Change the Battery Current Sensing (BCS)
This error can be caused by a damaged battery current sensor. The black plastic box is near the battery and can be found there. If you cannot find it, an auto parts shop should replace it.
If you don’t want to fix it yourself, take your Chevy Traverse to a local Chevrolet dealer or a qualified mechanic.
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