What does it mean when the battery light stays on in a car? A modern vehicle needs a continuous electrical power supply to run different types of electrical components used in the car. Besides, spark plugs also need electrical power to ignite the internal combustion chamber of the engine. The battery is one of the most important parts of the electrical system of the car as it helps to store and distribute the electrical energy generated by the alternator to the spark plug and other electrical components used in the car. However, an abnormal or defective battery could not do its job efficiently. Disruption of power supply might jeopardize a car. So, signs which show that the battery or other components associated with the battery has mechanical abnormalities should not be underestimated. Such errors in the electrical system of the car should be identified and repaired in time.
Causes of the illumination of battery light: Neglecting the battery light might have disastrous outcomes. So, errors behind the illumination of battery light need to be detected and repaired.
Corrosion on battery terminals: Emission of hydrogen gas from the acid used in the battery reacts with the atmospheric water vapors under the hood of a car and produces corrosion on the battery terminals. It affects the power output and should not be ignored. Besides, it is also responsible for the power drainage. So, the deposition of corrosion on the battery terminals could cause power disruption and could be responsible for the appearance of the battery light on the dashboard of the car.
Deformed battery cable: Loose or bad battery cable might also be responsible for the illumination of the battery light. Cables should be fit tightly with the battery terminals to ensure continuous electrical power supply. Besides, deformed battery cable could not ensure continuous electrical power supply to the different components of the vehicle which could also trigger the appearance of the battery light.
Faulty alternator: The alternator generates the electrical power required to recharge the battery. The alternator should be able to generate 13.6 to 14.6 volt of electrical power. However, an abnormal alternator could not do so efficiently and could be responsible for the illumination of the battery light.
Faulty voltage regulator: The generation of excess amount of electrical power could disrupt the power supply as well as lack of sufficient amount of electrical power by the alternator could also disrupt the power supply. The voltage regulator plays an important role by optimizing the electrical power supply to the battery from the alternator. Defects in the voltage regulator might also be responsible for the illumination of battery light.
Damaged alternator belt: The alternator converts the mechanical energy generated by the internal combustion engine to the electrical energy. The alternator belt is an important component of the system as it connects the alternator with the engine. A damaged alternator belt could not transfer the mechanical energy
generated by the engine to the alternator and thus disrupt the power generation which could trigger the battery light.
Defective battery: Battery stores the electrical power generated by the alternator and helps to distribute the power to different types of electrical appliances used in the car. However, a defective battery could not do its job efficiently which could be responsible for the power disruption and appearance of the battery light.
Defective wiring system: Defects in the wiring system which connect the alternator with the battery or the battery with other electrical appliances used in the car might also trigger the appearance of battery light.
Things to consider: The illumination of the battery light indicates that the electrical system of the car has certain malfunctions. Visual inspection of the battery, alternator, and other wiring systems could be very useful to detect and repair the malfunctions associated with the electrical system of the car. The battery has an expiry date and should be replaced after three to four years of service. Besides, faulty components should be repaired or replaced in time to ensure continuous power supply to the different types of electrical components of the car.
Bottom line: Faulty components in the electrical system of the car could disrupt the power supply in the car. So, the appearance of warning signs like the illumination of the battery light should not be neglected. Routine maintenance is the key to keep the electrical system in working order.