What causes the warning light to come on when you turn on your battery? What does the alternator warning light mean? What should you do if your battery warning lamp comes on? Is it safe for you to drive when the battery warning light is on ?….?
Why is the Battery Warning Light On?
Your alternator is powered by the engine’s rotational power. It generates electricity to keep your vehicle running. To allow the alternator to provide power for your vehicle’s battery, it must maintain a constant voltage. The battery warning light will come on if the alternator fails to maintain a constant voltage.
If your battery warning light turns on while you are driving, it could be a sign that the alternator isn’t charging the battery and the battery is working solely with its own charge. This indicates that your battery will soon become completely dead and your vehicle won’t start.
The alternator is controlled by the computer when the engine is started. The battery light will dim after the computer has confirmed that the alternator works and delivers the correct voltage. If the computer detects an issue with the charging system, however, the battery light will not go out.
If the battery light doesn’t go out but stays on, you should turn off any electrically powered equipment or accessories (radios, air conditioners, heated seats, etc.). to avoid over-discharging of the battery. The warning light on the battery may flash if the battery is under-utilized or the alternator is nearing failure.
What should you do if the battery warning light comes on?
This light is lit when the engine cannot generate enough power to continue running. To extend the battery’s life, turn off all unnecessary devices and enhancements.
It is possible for the light to turn on due to battery-related problems. It is important to test and replace any battery that is older. The battery cables must be checked and any loose or rusty terminals should also be tightened. The terminals that are loose or rusty will cause the battery to not charge properly and eventually lose their power.
The light can turn on or flash if there is a loose belt around the alternator. Loose belts can cause more problems than just the alternator. The belt also drives the power steering system and the water pump. You have an alternator belt problem if your check engine light goes on with the battery light or the temperature rises.
You could cause engine damage if you drive your vehicle with the alternator belt in place. If this happens, pull the vehicle to safety and have it towed to the nearest garage.
Is it safe to drive with the battery warning light on?
Your car can be driven if your battery is sufficiently charged to start the engine. The engine could stall if the battery is completely dead. You might lose control of your power steering or brakes. It may be difficult for you to stop your vehicle in such an instance. Avoid driving at high speeds or long distances. If this light is on and you are on the highway, you should stop and turn off the engine.
