No one wants to get into their car and see an indicator light ignite. It’s a scary and stressful thing, because it usually means that something’s wrong, and you can’t afford to be without your car. Your battery light is no different—this is a light that never goes on if everything’s working as it should, save for a few seconds when you first start up your car.
If you do see your battery light while driving Springfield, Wilmington, Exton or Ardmore roads, it could mean any number of things related to your electrical charging system. Discover the different meanings seeing a battery light on the dashboard can carry, and what you should immediately do when you see this indicator light up.
Your Car and Its Battery
Every car is powered by a 12-volt, rechargeable battery which runs all of the electrical systems in your car, from your ignition to your radio to your air conditioner, headlights and more. It’s one of the most essential parts of your car operation. Your car is designed, however, to recharge this battery just from running. In most cars, this occurs by means of your alternator and voltage regulator. These two elements of your electrical system generate power when the engine is running, which is used to drive the vehicle and its electrical systems, while also returning power to the battery.
The Battery Light on a Dashboard
The battery light on a dashboard exists to let you know that there’s something wrong with the battery recharging system. It’s comprised of a basic circuit that checks the voltage being produced by the alternator, and lets you know if the battery isn’t being charged at the proper rate. In some cases (usually if your car won’t start) this indicates your battery has gone dead and needs to be jumped and replaced. If you see this light while you’re driving, however, it means that something is wrong with the alternator—most likely, that the alternator belt is broken. It can also, however, mean that the alternator itself has gone bad.
What to Do if You See This Light
If you’re driving and the battery light comes on and stays on, your car should still run normally for a brief time. It will keep going until the battery itself drains. However, you may only have a very brief time before this happens, as your car uses a lot more power than the battery is designed to produce alone. When this occurs, immediately shut off any and all accessories—running lights, radio, air conditioner and anything else you don’t absolutely need—and get your car to a repair facility right away. If your car doesn’t start and the battery light is on, you can attempt to jump your car to get it to the shop.
Get Battery Service at Kia of West Chester
If you’re in the Philadelphia area, in places like Ardmore or Exton, Springfield or Wilmington, DE, Kia of West Chester can help you with that battery light on your dashboard. Give us a call or bring your car into our service center for help today.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.