What to Do When the Car Battery Light Comes On?
2 Answers
Car battery light comes on for the following reasons and solutions: 1. Battery discharge: The car battery light comes on because the battery is discharged. Solution: Use a charger to recharge the battery. First, connect the positive terminal of the charger to the positive terminal of the battery, and the negative terminal of the charger to the negative terminal of the battery, then press the charge button. 2. Severe sulfation: After the battery has been used for a period of time, sulfation salts accumulate on the plates, affecting the normal operation of the battery (the battery light comes on), and they need to be removed in time to solve the problem. Solution: Fully charge the battery with a high current, then discharge 30% of the charge when the electrolyte temperature does not exceed 40 degrees, to flush the slight sulfation salts on the plate surface, dissolve them, and convert them into active substances.
The car battery light coming on is a signal of a charging system issue. I've encountered this several times over more than a decade of driving. Usually, it means the alternator isn't working, the battery isn't charging, the battery is aging, or the belt is loose. When the light comes on, I first find a safe place to pull over and turn on the hazard lights to avoid accidents. Then, I turn off the engine, open the hood to check if the battery terminals are loose or corroded, and tighten them if they're loose. If the battery looks fine but the car won't start, the alternator might be broken, and I'd need to call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop for voltage testing. Definitely don't keep driving for too long, or the battery will quickly drain and the car will stall. Regularly checking the battery's lifespan and the alternator's condition during maintenance can prevent problems before they occur. In short, this is a safety issue—don't take it lightly and address it promptly.
