What Does the Battery Light on My Dash Mean?

Vehicles use a variety of dashboard lights to convey information about the condition of certain systems, such as the check engine light illuminating when your powertrain is experiencing issues. One such light is the dashboard battery warning, which appears as a rectangular car battery icon when active. 

In this article, we’ll review what the battery warning light represents, what issues could trigger it, and how these problems could affect your vehicle. 

What is the Battery Warning Light

At this point, you can probably guess that the battery warning light warns you of problems in, well… your battery. And you’d be correct, but this light generally appears more frequently due to issues with the vehicle’s charging system rather than the battery itself.

So while it may be easy to immediately assume your battery requires replacement, it’s important to ensure your charging system is not the source of the issue before you make that purchase. 

Causes of Battery Warning Light

Weak/Old Battery

Over time, the lead-acid batteries that power our vehicles will begin to weaken and degrade. This will leave the accessories and systems of the vehicle without an adequate source of power to continue operating as they should. If left to drain completely, it may also prevent the vehicle from starting up at all. 

Automotive batteries typically last between 3-5 years. If yours is around that age or older, you should begin looking into a replacement before it causes you problems.

Faulty Alternator

Though the vehicle’s battery provides the initial charge for startup, the alternator is what sustains that charge while the engine is running. 

Driven by the engine from the accessory belt, the alternator takes rotation generated by the powertrain and converts it into electricity the vehicle can use to produce spark for combustion and keep the critical systems and accessories running. 

Internal components of the alternator like bushings, bearings, and wiring can experience damage and corrosion over years of use, preventing the alternator from generating the necessary power. 

Symptoms of a bad alternator include the flickering of interior lights, malfunctioning accessories, and potentially the vehicle stalling.

Loose or Corroded Battery Connection

Having a strong battery does you no good if the connection to the rest of the vehicle is weak. A common cause of battery issues is corroded battery terminals, which are the metal posts on the top of the battery that the electrical system connects to. Whether due to corrosion from surrounding moisture or leaking battery acid, a damaged connection can leave you without adequate power for your vehicle. 

If corrosion or debris is the source of your weak connection, they can be scrubbed with a soap-water solution and wire brush to ensure clean contact between the terminals and cables.

Can I Drive With the Battery Warning Light On?

You probably can, but you also probably shouldn’t.

An active battery light may not prevent you from driving immediately, but the issues that cause it are likely to only get worse with time. When an issue in your charging system prevents your battery from being adequately charged, the vehicle will eventually be unable to start. Every time you drive with an issue in your electrical system, you’re taking a gamble that may lead to being stranded with a dead vehicle. 

Electrical System Services in Austin, Texas

If you’re experiencing issues with your battery or electrical system, trust the experts at Edgestone Automotive in Austin, Texas to pinpoint the source of your issue and return your vehicle to running like it should! Give us a call today or schedule online with our friendly team.