There are many lights on the car’s dashboard. These are car safety alerts that inform drivers about an underlying engine problem. Among other warning lights, an important car dashboard light is about the car battery. It is normal for a car battery warning light to come on for a few minutes after the car starts. That said, if the battery light doesn’t turn off as you’re driving the vehicle, there is a problem.
Let’s go through the symptoms, causes and fixes of car battery lights.
How Does the Car Battery Work
The car battery is located under the hood. This rechargeable battery uses an car alternator to turn the chemical energy into electricity and start the engine. The alternator belt attached to the engine produces electricity to power the vehicle’s electrical system. Some of the energy is sent to recharge the car battery. Meanwhile, a voltage regulator helps keep the electricity flow at optimal levels and prevents the battery from overcharging.
However, if you own an electric car, here is a list of electric charging stations in Dubai.
What Does the Car Battery Warning Light Mean
The battery light is among the many cars’ safety management indicators on the car dashboard. An illuminated battery warning light could simply mean it’s time to replace the car battery. That said, the light could also come on because of a problem with other vehicle components such as battery corrosion or loose clamps.
Troubleshooting The Battery Light
Let’s go through the common causes and fixes of battery warning lights.
Check for corrosion:
Fumes from the regular operation can corrode on top of the battery terminals in some cars. This is a common problem in regions with warm-weather temperatures. To check if the car battery drain is rusting or corroding, remove covers from the terminals on top of the battery.
If there is a white or greenish substance on top of the battery or around the terminals, there is a corrosion problem. Car battery corrosion is a common problem that can weakens the battery.
Clean battery terminals
A car battery light turns on when there is significant corrosion or other grime around the battery terminals. Nevertheless, cleaning the battery terminals with usual household items is easy. Just disconnect the battery cables after removing the covers and then scrub. Don’t use bare hands to clean the car battery corrosion – it can harm your skin. Wear gloves and start cleaning.
Tighten the cable clamps
The light also illuminates because of a weak car battery and cable connection. Open the hood and check the clamps. They should be fastened to the battery terminals tightly. If that’s not the case, use a small wrench or a pair of pliers to tighten the loose cable clamps.
Check the alternator
An alternator with loose or missing electrical connections is also among the symptoms of a battery warning light. The alternator charges the battery with a built-in voltage regulator. The battery warning light turns on when the voltage supplied isn’t in the optimal range. That said, sometimes the battery goes bad and not the alternator. Here are the signs that signify if there is bad car battery or alternator problem.
Cracked alternator belt
Alternator belts usually start cracking after a vehicle covers 13,000 to 22,000 kilometres – this depends on the driving habits, car battery maintenance and regular terrain quality. The battery warning light notifies every time the charge escapes through those cracks. The battery warning light continues to turn on intermittently until the alternator belt is changed. Eventually, the cracks can lead to belt breaking.
Broken Alternator Belt
If the battery warning light continues flashing at regular intervals, it means the alternator belt broke. When this happens, the battery doesn’t charge at all and the car can come to a complete stop. To be on the safe side, stop the vehicle and book an alternator repair as soon as the red battery light starts flashing irregularly.
Damaged Car Battery Terminal
A corroded battery terminal loses some of its electrical conductivity. This turns on the red car battery light. Even with a new alternator, the battery won’t charge properly with a damaged battery terminal. Battery posts can corrode because of overheated engines, being overexposed to leaking electrolyte solutions, hydrogen exhausts, and moisture damage in different weather conditions.
Dead Battery
Another battery warning light symptom is a drained battery. The light might stay red if the car battery is completely out of charge. Depending on different factors, a car battery needs replacements every 3 to 5 years. Here is the cost of replacing a car battery in the UAE.
Please go through the owner’s manual if the car battery warning light stays on while you’re driving and follow the aforementioned steps for DIY battery troubleshooting.
That is all about the causes and fixes of battery warning lights. It is advised to drive to the nearest service centre or auto professional to check the car battery if the light stays on while driving. Ignoring a flashing battery light for a long time can be dangerous. Here is a list of car batteries for sale in the UAE for those looking to replace car batteries.
Besides, those planning to buy a used car in the UAE should get their vehicles inspected by professionals to check the battery’s performance and prevent untimely failure.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more on car battery problems, solutions and maintenance.
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