Have you ever experience changing your battery, but the battery light on your dashboard is still on? It is a rare situation, but it happened to most car owners. Just as they thought that the battery light on would turn off after a battery replacement doesn’t solve the problem.
Driving along with that sign on your dashboard will not keep you relax. You will always get to think that there is something wrong with your battery.
Why is my car battery light on after replacing the 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. Has your alternator been checked? Your car’s electrical devices will draw power from your battery and will soon deplete it. Your vehicle will not start anymore. Let an expert check your electrical system thoroughly.
It is typically not normal to have the battery warning lights on after your battery replacement. It will continue to light up as long as you are not solving other electrical issues. The light will go off once the problem has been resolved.
Is it Safe to Drive My Car with the Battery Light on?
No, it is not safe to be driving your car with the battery warning light on. It is simply not a good idea. When your battery is faulty, your alternator can be at risk or broken too. It can also be possible that your wiring has problems. Issues like these will cause your vehicle to go wrong and lose their power.
Once it loses its power, you will not be able to operate it well. Your battery is the essence of your vehicle, it powers your vehicle up. If you are in doubt why your battery light is still on, let your trusted mechanic check your car.
What Should I Do When the Dashboard Battery Light Goes on?
The battery warning light on your dashboard could mean that it needs a new one. A battery replacement will be the perfect solution for this situation. However, the warning light may also mean many other things, like battery corrosion and loose clamps. To rule out any suspicion of possible battery problems or electrical issues, you should check your batteries well.
● Check your battery for any possible corrosion. Some cells could really accumulate corrosion naturally. It mostly occurs during summer and wintertime. Corrosion affects the performance of your battery.
● Battery terminals must be kept clean. Once you noticed the presence of corrosion in your battery, it is time to clean it up. It could make the warning lights on. Clean your battery with regular household items.
● Cable clamps must be tightened. If there is a weak connection between the battery and the cables that connect it, it will surely make the battery warning light on. Tighten the clamps so it would snuggly fit into the battery’s terminals.
Proper Response When the Battery Light Comes on
Battery warning lights typically send anyone to a panic mode. It will really stress you out to think that anytime your car will no longer start. How should we appropriately respond if the battery light comes on?
1. Do not panic. Resist the urge to panic. It will not help if you will be panicking just because of the warning sign of your battery lights on.
2. Check your gauges. Look at your car’s state of charge using your voltmeter. If the reading is exceptionally high or low, then something is really wrong. The standard voltage ranges from 12 to 14 Volts. If you do get the same result every time, then there is nothing to worry about.
3. Reduce power consumption. Shut off anything that consumes power. It includes your car radio, your blower, dome lights, defroster and reduces the use of your power windows.
4. Let the engine run. Just allow your engine to run. It will assure you that your car will continuously work. You may not be able to start the engine if you stop your vehicle. Turning on the engine will also charge the battery.
5. Visit your nearest car shop. Let an expert do the testing on your alternator. If you don’t have a problem with your alternator, you may ask the mechanic to test the battery. The battery warning light is an indication of a battery problem, or there could be something wrong with your sensor.
6. Check your cables. Corroded battery cables may cause the battery warning light to turn on. Make sure to clean the wires and your battery terminal using a wire brush. You may also tighten the battery cables connecting to the terminals of the battery.
7. Check your alternator belt. Once the belt is loose or tightened or new, if it is already cracked, you have to buy one immediately. Once the belt of the alternator breaks, it will no longer charge your car.
8. Start the vehicle for five minutes. Doing this for new cars will reset their computer system. After rebooting, the battery warning light will go off. There must be a trigger or a temporary sensor. If it lights up again, bring your vehicle to your trusted mechanic.
9. Visit your car mechanic. If these diagnostic test will still fail. It is already advisable to visit an expert mechanic to your battery warning light. It could also lead to a computer-related issue.
What Causes Your Battery Light to Come on?
Modern cars and vehicles have a charging system that is regulated by the PCM or Powertrain Control Module. Once the PCM detects a problem, it lights the battery warning sign on the dashboard.
If the battery and the alternator have been replaced, then we must assume that it is not the issue. The PCM may only cause the battery light to be on is a faulty electrical connection which controls your alternator.
When I’m Driving, My Battery Lights on, What Could it Mean?
If the battery warning light turns on while you drive, you should turn off all devices that draw power from your battery. There is a big chance that you will not be able to start your engine after stopping.
When you wonder why your car battery light on after replacing the battery, you better check all possible causes. It doesn’t have to be the battery all the time. Electrical wirings and connections must be check carefully. Ignoring this problem will only create a bigger problem later on.
Sources:
1. Is it Safe to Drive With the Battery Light On? – YourMechanic Advice
2. WHAT TO DO WHEN DASHBOARD BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON – Firestone Complete Auto Care
3. How to Respond When Your Car’s Battery Light Goes On – wikiHow
