What does it mean when battery light comes on?
CARS.COM — If the battery warning light (a light in the shape of a battery symbol) on the dashboard comes on while you’re driving, that means the charging system isn’t working, but the fault may lie in something other than the battery.
How long will car battery last without alternator?
In this situation, the battery could last as little as 30 minutes. If you are lucky and could get up to two hours. Note: In case you have to start the car without an alternator, don’t turn off the engine once you’re going. Starting the car flattens the battery down quickly.
What does it mean when the Battery Light is on?
Check to make sure the wire is not broken. This is the same connector that lets the on-board computer know if the alternator is charging or not, which is what the battery light actually means. You can use a volt meter to test what the battery is receiving by connecting it to the middle of the posts while the engine is running.
What to do if your battery light comes on again?
Tip: Try starting your car in a safe location, if the battery light comes on again, do not drive it. Shut off the engine and open the hood to see whether the serpentine belt, alternator or battery have any problems that can be identified visually. Tip: Always turn off the engine before inspecting the battery or other components.
What causes a battery warning light on the dashboard?
See how you can fix the battery warning light on dashboard with this five problem that you can look at. While the battery light might seem like there is a battery problem, but in fact there could be other numerous issue causing the battery light to activate. To see what is really wrong with the car see this video for things you can check.
What should voltage be for car battery light?
It’s relatively easy to check the function of the alternator with a multimeter. The voltage should be between 13.6 volts and 14.6 volts. If the voltage is less than 12 volts, the battery light is triggered and you’ll likely need to replace the alternator.