The battery light on in car indicates that your battery is having problems charging. These charging problems can have several causes. If this issue persists, your car will not perform well. Stalling and jerking may occur. In worse cases, the car may not start or could break down on the road. Always remember, resetting your car computer can help a lot in such cases.
Let’s take a look at all the symptoms, causes, and solutions for this issue:
What Does the Battery Light on Car Mean?
The battery light on in the car or the dashboard battery light indicator indicates that a battery problem is happening in the vehicle. Either the alternator is not working or your car’s wires have worn out. When you see the battery light on but your car runs fine, it may be a minor issue.
This may be an initial warning that the battery is facing charging issues. It indicates that you need to sort out this issue before it worsens. You may end up in a bad situation with your vehicle breaking down on the roadside. So, what does the battery light mean on a car? Simple answer: a problem with the alternator, battery, or a fault in the charging system.
Why is My Battery Light On in Car?
There are several reasons why the battery light may turn on in a car, whether while driving or when parked. Let’s discuss all of them one by one so you can diagnose the issue properly:
Loose or Damaged Battery Cables
A loose battery cable or corroded cable can prevent your battery from charging, causing the battery light to turn on when the car is off or while driving. When you try to start your car, it may not respond.
Faulty Alternator
The alternator transforms the engine’s mechanical energy to electricity. It ensures the battery stays charged and enables the electric components of the car, like the radio, lights, and air conditioning, to work efficiently.
It provides power to the battery to keep it charged. If it fails to charge, the battery light will turn on or flash, indicating a faulty alternator in the car.
Worn-out Serpentine Belt
The serpentine belt supplies power from the engine to the alternator. If this belt is worn out or not properly providing power to the alternator, it will lead to the battery light turning on and the car dying while driving. It is one of the major problems causing car battery charging failure.
Bad Battery
The biggest problem is an old battery. Over time, the battery loses its capacity to hold a charge. This may happen because its plates wear out or sometimes the acid in the battery evaporates. As a result, the battery light turns on, and the car won’t start.
Blown Fuse
The charging system totally depends on the fuses to regulate the electrical flow between the alternator and the battery. If a fuse blows, it can stop the battery from charging, which may cause the battery light to turn on before starting the car.
What to Do if My Car Battery Light is On?
Follow these immediate steps if you notice the battery light on in your car while driving. Taking these steps will help you to a great extent:
- Turn off unnecessary electrical accessories like the AC, headlights, radio, and music system.
- Check the battery connections to ensure they are not loose or disconnected from the terminals.
- Inspect the alternator’s operation or check whether the alternator belt is in the correct position.
- Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage. A healthy battery should have around 12.6 volts when the engine is off and 13.7–14.7 volts when running.
- If the issue still remains, try to reach a car electrician.
Can I Drive My Car with the Battery Light On?
The most common question people ask is, “Can we drive the car when the battery light is on?” The answer is yes, but only for a limited time. Over time, your battery will drain, causing the car to stop. The best thing to do is get the car checked and repaired as soon as possible.
Common Battery Light Scenarios and their Fixes
You can fix these issues using the solutions provided below:
Battery Light Comes On and Car Shuts Off
If the battery light comes on and the car shuts off, it is a complete failure of the battery. You need to check the condition of the battery plates or verify if the alternator is working properly.
Battery Light On and Car Hard to Steer
Power steering issues can indicate a failure of the alternator. Check whether the alternator belts are in the correct position and verify the functionality of the alternator.
Battery Light On and Car Overheating
If the battery light is on and the car overheats, there is a possibility that the serpentine belt has snapped, causing all the electric components to fail, such as the cooling system and alternator. That is why the heat light has come on the dashboard.
Battery Light On in Car After Replacing Alternator
If the battery light is on after having changed the alternator, it indicates faulty wiring or that the alternator is not properly connected to the serpentine belt. Double-check all components to ensure they are properly installed and working correctly.
Battery Light On in Cold Weather
In cold weather, the battery’s ability to hold a charge decreases, requiring the alternator to work harder to recharge it. As a result, the battery light may stay on until the battery is fully recharged.
Battery Light Stays On When Car is Off
It might be faulty or corroded wiring issues. A faulty voltage regulator might also be malfunctioning. These are the reasons why your battery light is on even if your car is off.
Car Shaking with Battery Light On
The alternator is the main cause of this. If the alternator has lost the ability to function properly, it can lead to issues like the car shaking, as it is not providing the necessary power to the engine and electrical systems.
How to Fix Battery Light On in Car ?
These are important steps you need to follow if you face the battery light on the dashboard:
- Check the battery condition to see if it is worn out. Inspect its plates and the quantity of acid.
- • If the alternator is faulty, inspect it and repair it if it’s not functioning properly.
- Ensure the battery terminals are tight and not worn out.
- Check the serpentine belt to see if it is working properly or needs replacement.
- Check if all fuses are working properly or if any of them are blown.
These steps will help you diagnose and fix the issue.
