The battery light on your car dashboard signals
a charging problem with your car battery
. If the light turns and stays on, it might be that your alternator isn't generating enough voltage to charge it. Common causes can be a broken alternator belt, damaged battery cells or a failed alternator.
How can you tell if its the battery or alternator?
If your engine won't turn over or takes far longer than usual, it's time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump-start. If your engine
starts
and stays running but won't start again later, it's likely a battery problem. If your vehicle immediately stalls, it's probably a bad alternator.
Can you drive your car with the battery light on?
Can I Keep Driving My Car if the Battery Light Is On?
Yes, you can, for a short time
. The light indicates that the alternator isn't charging the battery, which means your car's electrical system isn't getting the full power it needs.
What do you do when your battery light comes on?
- Inspect the battery. Check your vehicle's battery for signs of corrosion on or damage to the terminals. …
- Check the alternator. Take a look at your alternator for any loose or missing electrical connections.
- Look at the serpentine belt. …
- Check your fuses. …
- Test the battery.
How do you know if your alternator is bad?
- Dim or Overly Bright Lights. …
- Dead Battery. …
- Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. …
- Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. …
- Growling or Whining Noises. …
- Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. …
- Battery Warning Light on Dash.
How long will a car run with the battery light on?
You can drive the car with the battery light on but you will only have on average
15 minutes
. After roughly 15 minutes, your car will run out of electrical power and the car will stall.
How do I check my car alternator?
- Get a multimeter.
- Set your multimeter to DCV (DC Volts) above 15.
- Make sure your alternator's positive and negative terminals are clean.
- Put the multimeter's black cable to the negative terminal and the red cable to the positive terminal.
- Look for an ideal alternator reading of around 12.6.
Can a bad alternator destroy a new battery?
Can a bad alternator kill a new battery?
Yes, very easily
. A failing alternator can overcharge, which will damage the battery. An undercharging alternator will leave the battery flat, which speeds up its failure.
Can you jump a car with a bad alternator?
While jumpstarting a vehicle with a bad alternator
may technically be possible
, do not leave jumper cables connected between vehicles longer than necessary as it can result in damage to sensitive electronics.
Can AutoZone check alternator?
Every AutoZone in the USA will check your alternator, starter, or battery
at no charge
.
What causes the battery light to come on and off?
The cause of the battery light could be
a loose or corroded battery cable or other wire connecting components of the charging system
, or it might be a problem with the alternator or voltage regulator. The alternator generates the power that is stored in the battery.
How much does it cost to fix the alternator?
When your car starts having electrical problems, it's a sign you need an alternator replacement. Considering the price of a new alternator as well as labor, you should expect to spend anywhere
between $500 and $1,000
to get a new one for your vehicle.
Can low oil cause battery?
The Oil and Battery lights come on when the engine stalls because; the
engine oil pressure drops to zero
, and the battery is not being charged due to the engine not running. This is not an indication that the problem is due to either one.
What sound does a bad alternator make?
Whining and Grinding Sounds
If your alternator is failing, you could hear a few abnormal noises. If you hear a small rattling or grinding sound when your engine is running, this could be caused by a loose bearing in your alternator.
Why won't my car start but I have power?
If your vehicle won't start, it's usually caused by
a dying or dead battery
, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you're dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
What happens when an alternator goes out while driving?
If your alternator goes out – your car isn't going anywhere fast. Because
your alternator charges your car's battery
, without it, you won't be able to start your car, which means you'll need a tow to the mechanic. When you have a dead alternator, your battery will also die during normal use. … A dead battery again.
