What Does the Battery Light Mean?
If a warning light is received on the dashboard, you should always draw attention to what is happening. With battery lights, you may not have much time to find problems before your car dies. For this reason, you need to diagnose why the battery light is on while driving.
The guide covers seven best reasons for this warning light, especially while driving. It also shows what to do when it works. At the end of the article, there are a few answers to the questions that come to mind.
Why the battery light is on while driving
The alternator strap will break or slip, allowing you to turn on the battery light. It could also be caused by a worn alternator, a bad pulley, or a damaged cable. It could also be that the battery is bad, and there could be poor corrosion in the terminal or engine town. Here’s a video with why the battery light is on: Below we will explain in a bit more detail.
1. Broken or sliding alternator belt
Serpentine belts are responsible for running the alternator along with other accessories. Care usually takes between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. If the snake belt breaks or slips, you will notice problems leading to the alternator. This problem leads to creaks, especially when it’s cold outside. You may also see flickering and dim light, allowing the engine to withstand if the battery is completely dead.
2. Error or worn alternator
The alternator is responsible for charging the car’s battery while the engine is running. If the alternator fails, the battery will not receive the necessary power. Alternators usually last 100,000 to 150,000 miles, so this is not a problem to treat frequently.
The dying alternator is given several signs, including dim headlights and false electrical devices. If it doesn’t dissolve immediately, you’ll receive the dead car battery.
3. Bad Generator Disc
The serpentine belt is wrapped around the alternator disc while the various components are removed. If the pulley is damaged or broken, this can cause many problems with the belt, which becomes an alternator problem.
The first indication that something is wrong with the pulley can be a damaged belt. Damage is recognized when the belt is pulled or worn by the belt disc. Additionally, physical damage may be displayed on the pulley when performing an inspection. Along with the burning smell and unusual noise, you also need to pay attention to the typical signs of a dying car battery.
4. Bad alternator cable
The alternator delivers the car’s battery, but it cannot do so if the corresponding wiring and connections do not exceed tension. If the cable is damaged or worn, the signal will be interrupted and the battery remains without the required load for operation. What you’re done is the battery of a dead car. Also, this issue will cause a battery light, as you know it’s not charging.
5. Bad battery
There is always a possibility that the problem actually relates to the car battery. As soon as the battery runs out, the alternator will charge it longer and the light will turn on.
An average car battery lasts 3-5 years. We recommend regular inspection of your car battery to ensure that it is in good condition, especially before winter when cold can strain batteries that are sensitive to them.
6. Battery terminal corrosion
The battery may not be able to charge even if it is in good condition. If corrosion accumulates in the terminal, the voltage from the alternator will not be able to dispose of the battery. Corrosion is caused when hydrogen gas collides with air.
You will see it as a white or green material in the terminal and connection. However, it is very caustic and I don’t want to touch it. We’ll explain how you can address this issue in a few minutes.
7. Bad Engine Natural Belt
The natural belt of the engine is the connection between the negative clamps of the battery and the body. Often called negative battery cables, the electrical system must be operated in the vehicle. If the grounding belt is not properly secured, it may be on the headlights that determine the warning light for the dashboard warning light, and there may be problems charging the battery. It can also lead to low voltages, problems, car issues, and strange electrical system failures.
How to repair battery lights that are on while driving
With the first sign on the battery warning light, it is best to remove the car in a safe place to diagnose the system. I don’t want to drive any further, as the battery or alternator can break down at any time. Follow these helpful tips as soon as you have a place to see the vehicle.
1. Measure the charging voltage in the engine
With a multimeter, you want to check the battery tension while the engine is running. If the engine is off, the battery should measure 12.6 volts. However, if the engine is running, the alternator must provide an additional voltage to increase this number. In fact, the normal reading is between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. Anything displayed lower or higher than this indicates an alternator problem.
2. Inspect The Alternator/Serpentine Belt
Heat, abrasion, oil and the environment can all take a toll on the serpentine belt. Plus, the pulley can start to wear against the belt, leaving behind visible damage if you look for it.
Once the belt gets 50,000 miles on it, you should check it regularly. If there’s any sign of wear or damage to the belt, you want to replace it. It’s especially important to replace any belt with cracks, splits or fraying before it fails.
You can also look for signs that the belt is glazed on the sides. If the belt becomes glazed, it can slip, crack or overheat. If you plan to replace the belt on your own, make a note of how the new one goes back on. There should be a diagram in the service manual or underneath the car hood.
3. Check The Wiring
It’s also important to perform a visual inspection of the wiring. You can trace all of the wiring from the battery to the alternator to see if there’s damage. If you notice any damaged wires, it’s important to replace them right away. Make sure you also inspect the connectors where the wiring is attached.
4. Check the Battery
Don’t overlook the importance of checking the car battery regularly. You can use a multimeter to ensure the battery voltage measures 12.6 volts with the engine off.
If you don’t want to check the battery at home, you can get free battery testing at many auto parts stores. Many of these locations will also install the new battery for free when you purchase it through them.
5. Inspect Engine Ground And Battery Terminal Corrosion
Test the ground connection with these steps, just as we would in our very own shops.
1) Set the voltmeter to read ohms to test resistance.
2) Probe the negative terminal and ground connection.
3) If the reading is less than five ohms, the ground connection resistance is good.
4) Set the voltmeter to DC current to check voltage.
5) With the accessories on, the voltage should not go higher than 0.5 volts under load.
6) If there’s a place where voltage is present, a bonding strap needs to be added or you need a new grounding location.
Additionally, you can clean battery corrosion to ensure a proper connection.
1) Sprinkle baking soda on the corrosion.
2) With an old toothbrush dipped in lemon juice or vinegar, dab it over the baking soda to make it fizz.
3) Leave it to sit for a few minutes.
4) Scrub away the corrosion.
5) Rinse it with some water.
To prevent corrosion, you can apply some battery-terminal grease on the posts. It’s simple to find at auto parts stores.
6. Contact A Professional
If any of these steps seem to be too complicated for your experience level, it’s best to reach out to a professional. We’ve seen many people do further damage to the charging system simply because they messed with things that shouldn’t be touched.
Additionally, there are some minor dangers associated with the working on the car battery and alternator. Because you are working with voltage, it’s best to refrain unless you are prepared to take all safety precautions necessary.
Can you drive your car with the battery light on?
The vehicle may still continue to run normally for a short time, so there would be nothing stopping you from driving even though the light is on. However, the car battery could die at any time, leaving you with a car that won’t run. For this reason, we recommend pulling over and fixing the problem right away.
Does battery light mean alternator?
It can indicate that something is wrong with the alternator and the battery isn’t getting the right charge. It could also show a problem with the battery, serpentine belt, alternator pulley, electrical connection or there’s a possibility of battery terminal corrosion. You may also want to check the ground connection.
Why is my battery light on, but the alternator is good?
The battery light indicates low voltage, showing trouble with the charging system. While it can mean a problem with the alternator, it could also be the battery, a connection, the alternator pulley, the serpentine belt or battery corrosion that’s creating trouble with charging.
How long can I go with my battery light on?
The time it takes for the battery to drain completely from when the light came on depends on several factors. The age and condition of the battery are the primary concern, while the issue causing the problem also plays a role. At most, you may have 30 to 60 minutes, but the car can stall at any time.
How do I know if my alternator is going bad?
When the alternator no longer provides enough voltage to the battery, the car battery is going to die. Additionally, some of the electronics in the vehicle may begin to malfunction or you could see flickering lights. If there’s a voltmeter on the dashboard, you’ll see the charge fall into the danger zone.
When your battery light comes on the dashboard, you don’t want to ignore it. While you may be tempted to continue driving, the car battery could fail at any time and the engine may stall. This situation puts you in danger, so you want to take prompt action.
We recommend having a professional look at the charging system if you aren’t used to working with these parts. If you are comfortable working on the system, it shouldn’t be difficult to figure out where the fault is and fix it.
