what does it mean when your battery light comes on in your car?

Answer 1

Your alternator needs looking at, it could be faulty or the belt may have snapped, it is quite important to have the problem resolved as the battery isnt getting charged now, and in this cold weather the last thing you need is a flat battery!

Answer 2

Don't panic.
Some cars use one idiot light for both battery and alternator.
Some cars use one light for each, and some really smart manufacturers put a voltmeter in the dash for you!
The battery light either indicates the charge on the battery is low, or the charge sensor is bad.
The first thing that has to be done is to make sure the battery is being charged, If you don't have a volt meter then take the car to your favorite mechanic and let him test it.
If the battery is fine, then the charge sensor is bad.
If the battery is low, start with the basics first.
The starter has nothing to do with the light, if the starter draws down the battery too much, the low battery causes the light to come on.
Your engine could be idling to slow, this is the easiest and cheapest to fix.
The next easiest is to check for loose connections or bad wires. You have to look and touch thoroughly, don't skip anything, don't assume anything about anything. (good advice all the time)
Batteries don't last forever, even with good care, if your battery is older then 5 years old, it's time for a replacement.
Batteries don't go bad by themselves, there is always an underlying cause. Check all connections, especially all the grounds. A low battery can be caused by a clock winder stuck to "wind" or a trunk light not shutting off when the trunk is closed.
I know of cases where the phone recharger works even with the key removed. Leaving a phone or portable device hooked up can pull a weak battery down overnight.
Then check to make sure the alternator is working properly. You need a steady 14.5 volts to replace the 13.5 volts in the battery after each startup. This takes about 20 minutes of driving, if you drive a lot of short trips, you may need to let the car run longer.
Alternators will go bad with age, but a diode can go bad at any time. Some alternators have built in regulators, some don't, your mechanic can tell you. Some cars have a loads-relay, to kick in the alternator when a heavy load like a window defroster comes on. They are electronic devices and can, and do, go bad the day they leave the factory.
Steam cleaners and high pressure water jets should never be used around alternators. Don't even use a garden hose!
I add this possible cause because I'm seeing it a lot lately.
In fact, don't ever wash out the engine compartment on your car. You'll save yourself a lot of grief .

Answer 3

Battery Light On Car

Answer 4

The battery light comes on right before you turn the car on. It always does this in every car. It's normal.

If it is happening while you're driving then your battery must be bad. Though, this only happens in older cars. Newer cars turn off and stole when the battery becomes low or uncharges. This is sometimes cause because the alternator is bad.

Here is a test for you to use.
Turn the car on. While the car is running, disconnect the negative cable to the battery (this is usually the black one). If the car turns off, then your alternator is bad. Alternators will also usually make a crancking noise when they're going bad.
If the car stays on, then your battery is most likely low or dying. You can get it tested for free in most auto parts (like autozone, Kragen) and it only takes a few minutes.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Could be any of a number of things. The light will come on if the sensor is not getting enough voltage. This could be due to a loose/faulty/corroded connection, bad battery, short in the wiring, or an alternator that is not recharging the battery.

Many shops will run you a free battery test, or you could have the car taken in for a diagnostic check. If the light has come on, in most cars, it will send a code to be stored in the computer. Better to spend a few bucks to get it dignosed than to get stranded.

Answer 6

When the battery light comes on in your car's dashboard, it
means trouble with either the battery or the alternator (dynamo).
You should check the battery first whether the terminals (+ve or
-ve) are loose, charging or not, enough electrical power etc.
Then check the alternator whether it is faulty - not able to
recharge the battery when the car is moving, thus draining all
the current used in the battery forcing it to give out warning sign.
In this case, you should send the car to a good mechanic to
replace the faulty part either battery or alternator with a new one.

Answer 7

It means that your alternator just gave up and your car is running on the battery, once the battery drains that is only about half an hour of driving if lucky the car will die and will not start!!! Get the alternator changed!!! Good luck!!!

Answer 8

Possible problems.

Loose battery cable.
Battery going bad.
Alternator going bad.
Alternator belt loose.

Combination of any of the above.

Answer 9

The battery does not have enough charge. i.e. A charging problem
from the charging circuit. Perhaps the alternator or generator or regulator needs repair

Answer 10

Check your battery and alternator.