What Causes Battery Light to Come On While Driving

What does it mean when the low battery warning lights on the dashboard appear? Well, a low battery warning lights means that there is a problem with the battery. The low battery warning light appears if the battery is low of charge and is not charging. There are two possible reasons why the battery is not charging, the first one is the alternator is faulty and not charging and the second is the alternator belt is broken.

Reason why battery light come on while driving

1. Faulty alternator.
2. Broken alternator belt.

Car troubleshooting

The alternator is a belt-driven device whose job is to provide an electrical charge to the car battery that powers all the car electrical equipment. The belt is then connected to the flywheel that is coupled to the engine. Since it is a belt-driven device, if there is something happens to the belt-like if the belt is broken the alternator will not function in this case no electrical charge will be given to the battery. The electrical equipment will not be used continuously because it will eventually drain the battery.

Warning Lights on the Dashboard

What is that warning lights on the dashboard mean? If these dashboard warning lights are lit it means something is wrong with the car to warn the driver.

Read more: Warning Lights on the Dashboard

In either case, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) which is the low battery warning symbol on the instrument cluster will lit to warn the driver that there is a problem with the charging system of the car.

What to do?

If the low battery warning light comes on while driving, just stop the car. Open the hood and locate the alternator, check the alternator if the belt is broken if the alternator belt is good then the problem is a failing alternator.

How to Test an Alternator for Any Problem?

If the alternator output voltage is 13V or less, the battery continues discharging, thus the battery runs down.

Read more: How to Test an Alternator for Any Problem?

Is it safe to drive the car when the low battery warning light comes on?

Yes, it is safe to drive the car but you will only have an hour or less before the battery drains out, because only the battery will provide electrical power required by the car without the charge coming from the alternator.

Drive the car to the nearest repair shop, asks the mechanic to check the alternator if it can be repaired or not. Usually, it is the carbon brass that causing the alternator to fail, so just replace the carbon brass.