The battery is the heart of your vehicle’s electrical system, serving as an electrical power source and a voltage stabilizer. Like other crucial car components, it could develop issues as it ages. The great news is that the battery light on your dash will turn on, giving you a heads-up and a chance to address the problem before it gets worse.
What Does the Battery Light On Your Dashboard Mean?
The battery light can be working properly yet you can still have a bad alternator, so the battery light only indicates total failure.
The battery light can be working properly yet you can still have a bad alternator, so the battery light only indicates total failure.
– Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
It’s normal to see the “battery icon” illuminated when you start your car. But if the battery light came on again while you were driving, that’s a different story. Here are the possible reasons why your battery light is on:
Corrosion
Rust and corrosion in any part of your vehicle mean trouble. When the battery corrodes, it could degrade nearby parts, including cables, connectors, and even the battery tray.
The battery corrodes when the sulfuric acid inside the vehicle reacts with the battery’s metal components. Acid fumes come out from the vent holes while the battery is being charged and if the engine compartment heat is excessive, such as in the summertime. That’s why batteries have those plastic boxes or bubble paper covers.
If you’re an experienced automotive DIYer, you can try to clean your battery terminals to get rid of the corrosion and prevent voltage drop at connections. If the corrosion is bad enough, the battery cables or terminals may need replacing.
A solution made of a tablespoon and baking soda mixed with a liter of water is usually enough to clean the terminals. Soda pop also works for this. There are also aerosol battery terminal cleaners and protectants available at parts stores.
Brush the battery’s housing and battery with this mixture to neutralize the acid. You can also clean the connections mechanically and rinse them with water.
Note: Remember to follow safety protocols when holding battery-related parts. Car batteries contain acid, and they can release explosive gasses during charging and discharging cycles. So if you’re not confident taking the DIY route, it’s better to take your ride to an auto repair shop.
Alternator or Voltage Regulator Issues
Problems in the charging system, which include alternator or voltage regulator issues, can trigger the car battery light.
The alternator is a crucial component of your vehicle’s charging system. It produces alternating current (AC) and converts it to direct current (DC) to keep the battery charged.
Meanwhile, the voltage regulator keeps the voltage at a specific range. The voltage needs to stay within a specified range so that it won’t damage other electrical components in the system.
The battery will only work when the automotive circuit, which includes the alternator and other wires, is in great shape. So it follows that the battery light will turn on if there’s anything wrong with these components.
Bad Battery Cells or Plates
The car battery’s negative and positive plates are crucial to its operation. Therefore, anything wrong with the plates or the cells that contain them can create battery-related problems.
If you’re not an expert in car batteries and you suspect that there’s a problem with your battery, it’s best to let a trusted mechanic diagnose and resolve the issue.
Loose Cable Clamps
If you’re lucky, resolving your car battery problem can be as easy as opening your car hood and adjusting some cable clamps.
A loose cable clamp will weaken the connection between the battery and its cables. If you’re not sure how to resolve this, you can always consult your owner’s manual or ask a trusted mechanic to do it for you.
Note that these three problems are only some of the reasons why the battery light on your dash won’t turn off. Take a trip to an auto repair shop once you spot the illuminated warning light right away to resolve the car battery issue.
How Long Can You Drive With the Battery Light On?
It depends on the problem, but you most likely have 30 to 60 minutes before your car starts to stall. Your battery’s charge will eventually run out, causing fuel pump or ignition system failure.
If you’re far from an auto repair shop, consider deactivating unnecessary accessories to prolong your drive time. But don’t turn off your automotive lights when you’re driving at night. If you want to be on the safe side, pull over to contact a towing company or seek help.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix This Issue?
It depends on what’s causing the battery light to stay on.
If you need to replace the battery to fix the issue, prepare to shell out anywhere between $45 and $250. Factors like brand, power, and size can affect the price of the battery replacement. But if the problem is caused by an alternator, a replacement could set you back $400, including labor.
The exact replacement costs would also vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model, the rates in your area, tax charges, and other related repairs.
Finding the Right Battery
If you’re in the market for a new car battery, don’t limit your decisions to the best brand and quality. Consider what type of battery to get for your ride as well.
You can choose from two types: standard and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries. Standard batteries have the conventional flooded lead acid design, while AGM batteries are perfectly sealed and have fiberglass mats in their plates.
Check out our guide to find out which type is better for your car.
Note on the Wiring of Charging Systems
If the charge (battery) light isn’t illuminated when the key is first turned to the “on” position, that should be investigated first because it might be the reason for a no-charge situation. And if the wire is cut, the light won’t work and the alternator won’t charge. If the wire is shorted to ground, the alternator light will always be on but the alternator still won’t charge because the voltage regulator isn’t getting its 12 volt “turn on” signal through the ignition switch and the warning light bulb.
Many vehicles will have a voltmeter on the cluster and a charge light, both of which provide information on charging system health.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
