Did you ever get this resolved? I still don't understand why a freaking manual was never released...
This has some information in case you're still looking.
https://chevroletforum.com/forum/upl...remlins-18494/

 

We tried to start our van this morning to go to work, but when I turned the key the engine turned over once, the lights started flashing and then the horn honked until the key was turned to 'off'. We have tried to jump start it multiple times or charge it with another battery, but it says 'battery saver active' and, after about a minute, says 'charging system failure'. We can't even start it when it's being jumped. What is the problem? Nobody seems to be able to solve this.

 

According to the manual on page 3-59 - "Battery saver active" will show up when battery voltage goes below about 11.5 volts.

"Charging system failure" displays when a problem is detected with the alternator/battery/charging system.

I'm thinking one of 3 things in order of likelihood: Alternator needs to be replaced, battery has a short, need to check for corrosion of battery cables and/or grounds under the hood. IF it can't even be jump started then it leads me more towards cables/grounds but I've also had shorted batteries which couldn't be jump started so it could be that also.

Hopefully this helps point you in the right direction....

 

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I’m sorry you are experiencing this issue with your vehicle. “442dude” offers some good suggestions. If you have not consulted with a technician yet, I encourage you to do so. They’ll be able offer more information after inspecting the vehicle.

Please keep us posted.

If you need assistance locating a technician near you, please PM me your zip code.

Louis
GM Customer Service

 

I will try diet coke on the battery leads as soon as it gets above -2° outside. It's a cold-crank battery, so it shouldn't do this... If that doesn't work we'll try to get the battery out and put the new one in. I tried for six hours to get the old battery out, but it wouldn't budge.

 

I haven't removed the battery on our Uplander yet but make sure there isn't a bolt and a wedge at the bottom of the battery holding it in - I've seen them in the front and the rear. They hide them down there...maybe that's why its stuck?

 

Not to mention the obvious, but the chassis brace has to be removed too above the battery...

 

Weird. My 2008 chevy uplander just did the exact same thing. and now won't start. The last two starts, by factory installed remote control, before this happened, seemed to be hard to turn over - the battery seemed weak. I thought it might be due to the fact we are having -30 to -39 degree weather the last four days, and the battery just has nothing left. I let it sit today while I went to work. when I tried tonight, the lights seemed to indicate all ok buy not a single turn over. I have the block heater plugged in thinking it could be frozen. But now that I have read these postings, I'm thinking that won't work. Anyways, thanks everbody for the postings. Gives me some ideas to talk to the mechanic about. I'll add what I find out as a solution - hopefully similar to what others have done already, and not something new. Seems to be too common to be one-off glitches as some of you have said the dealers have stated. That's where these forums come in handy.

 

Yes, I sort of noticed the big black bar above the battery needed to be unbolted to get to it. I can't see any battery strap, so I'll see if there's anything else holding it in besides the fuse box.

 

We got it started. It took a LONG charging with the truck and a lot of patience. It still sounds really bad, though. It's howling a bit, and we think the power steering is going out. Got to check that...