How To React When The Battery Indicator Lights Up

Table of contents:

How To React When The Battery Indicator Lights Up
How To React When The Battery Indicator Lights Up
Anonim

The battery light can indicate a number of things. In general, its ignition signals that the engine is not receiving enough energy. The causes can be a malfunctioning alternator, a faulty battery and other anomalies. It is important to know how to react when the light comes on. The situation could be more or less serious, but it still requires intervention.

Steps

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 1
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 1

Step 1. Don't panic

When the battery light comes on, sometimes the solution to the problem is actually very simple.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 2
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 2

Step 2. Look at the various indicators

Check the indicator that indicates the power, namely the voltmeter. Often, next to this instrument there is a drawing of a battery. When the level is extremely high or low, it is best to have the car checked. If it is roughly the same as usual, the problem is probably not serious.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 3
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 3

Step 3. Reduce the amount of energy you are using by turning off the radio, air conditioning, headlights, defroster, interior lighting, and wipers

Avoid operating electric windows, too, if possible.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 4
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 4

Step 4. Keep the car running

The more you run the engine, the more the battery charges. In addition, one of the most important consumption of the battery occurs when the car is turned on. By not switching the engine off and on again, you will avoid affecting the battery charge level, which is already quite low.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 5
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 5

Step 5. Go to a mechanic or gas station

Ask for help in checking the alternator operation. If the alternator fails, the battery will drain. If it does not present any problem, the fault could be with the battery itself.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 6
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 6

Step 6. Check the battery cables

If they're worn out, or even disconnected, here's where the problem lies. Clean them with a wire brush. Tighten the cables to the corresponding poles of the battery.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 7
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 7

Step 7. Examine the alternator belt

If it is loose, tighten it or buy a new one. If it has any cracks, buy one immediately, because once broken, the car will not run.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 8
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 8

Step 8. Turn the car back on after at least five minutes

Give the electronic system time to reset. Once reset, the battery light should go out. It may have been a temporary problem.

Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 9
Respond When Your Car's Battery Light Goes On Step 9

Step 9. If none of these steps reveal the problem, contact a mechanic

The car's electronic system has many warning lights that can indicate various problems. It's like having a broken computer.

Recommended: