What does the battery light on the dashboard mean?

Every car today contains a rechargeable 12-volt battery. This battery powers everything electrical: the engine's control computer, the ignition system, the radio, the headlights, etc. So the battery is vital to the car's operation.

Like all batteries, a car's 12-volt battery would eventually go dead if it were not recharged, so your car has a built-in recharging system. Most cars have an alternator, along with a voltage regulator, that keeps the battery charged and also provides electricity to the vehicle when the engine is running. A typical alternator can put out between 500 and 1,000 watts when necessary.

Because your car is so dependent on the battery, all cars have a battery light on the dashboard that is designed to warn you if the recharging system fails. A simple circuit looks at the voltage that the alternator is producing, and turns the battery light on if it is low. The battery light indicates a battery charging problem. If the battery light comes on and stays on while you are driving, the most common cause is a broken alternator belt. Total failure of the alternator is another possibility.

The reason why your car can operate normally even though the battery light is on is because your car can run off the energy stored in the battery. Your car will run fine until the battery goes dead. At that point, nothing in your car will work. When the battery light is on, you can still drive your car to the garage -- you will not damage anything. But you want to get to the garage before the battery fails and your car dies.

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Originally Published: Apr 1, 2000

Battery Light FAQ

What does the battery light on a car dashboard mean?

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 long can I drive my car with the battery light on?

If your battery light stays on while you drive, it’s an indication of a run-down battery. You’ll have roughly 15 minutes to drive with your battery lights on before your car may start stalling.

How do you tell if it's a dead battery or bad alternator?

If you vehicle has a dead battery may not start or may have difficulty starting, have dimmed or flicking lights or an issue with the sound system. If it stalls while you’re driving or your engine turns off suddenly, the alternator is malfunctioning or not recharging your battery.

How do I fix the battery light on my dashboard?

The battery light is an indication of a weak or dying battery, so you should try to prevent it from draining completely. Try turning off all the lights and other systems that can drain your battery. If the problem persists, stop the vehicle and let it cool for a while. If it still doesn’t work, drive straight to your mechanic to have them take a look.

Why does my car operate with the battery light on?

If your battery lights are on and your car seems to operate normally, you need to head to a mechanic. Your vehicle is draining the energy left in the battery and it will die fairly soon.