Why is my battery light on when I just got a new battery?
Battery warning lights are an indication that you have battery charging problems. If the battery warning light is still on despite replacing it with a new one only indicates one thing, you have an alternator problem. The warning light will typically go off after solving the problem or replacing the battery.
How far can a car drive without alternator?
If the alternator output was weak for a long time before it failed, the car may not go very far. If you have a fully charged high capacity battery, you could drive a hundred miles at least in the day-time, on the battery alone.
What happens when the alternator dies on a car?
Because the alternator supplies current to the vehicle’s electrical systems, this is where you’ll notice most that something is amiss. Dead Battery: Your car battery will die without a working alternator to keep it charged. If your battery dies, you should test the battery (free at AutoZone).
What does it mean when your alternator is not charging?
If the alternator is not charging the battery, you will have a red “ALT” or “charge” sign on your dashboard. This means that your battery is no longer being supplemented for power by the alternator. You will need to recheck the wiring because the light could also be faulty.
Can a car battery be drained by an alternator?
While you might initially think that any problems with electrical things like lights or radio not working are directly related to the battery, the alternator is actually where most of the power in your vehicle comes from. Consider that if you were to leave the lights of your car on overnight by the next day your battery might be drained completely.
How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?
To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.