Did you know that every Challenger from 2017 to 2022 has an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS)? The IBS is an electrical shunt with a microprocessor that is mounted in-line with the negative Battery Cable. The IBS monitors the current flow and voltage. The IBS also has a built-in thermistor that calculates the Battery temperature. The microprocessor uses this data to calculate Battery state of charge, Battery internal resistance, charge received, charge delivered, and time in service. This information is reported through a LIN BUS circuit to the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM broadcasts the information to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the CAN BUS. It costs about $75 to replace it.
What does it tell you??? Now, if it could alert you a week before your battery dies, it would be worth it.
The PCM uses inputs from the sensor to precisely adjust charging system voltage, idle speed and other parameters for better fuel efficiency and longer battery life. If the system detects that the battery is getting weak, it may turn off some electrical accessories (load shedding), such as the navigation, heated steering, heated seats, etc., to save the battery power. In this case, the computer will display a warning message on the instrument panel.
