We will discuss how to handle this problem deeper in a few minutes. However, you don’t want to touch it because it’s highly caustic. You will notice it as the white or green-colored substance around the terminals and on the connectors. Corrosion is caused when the hydrogen gas collides with the air. If there’s corrosion built-up on the terminals, the voltage coming from the alternator won’t be able to juice up the battery. Sometimes a battery can’t be charged even though it’s in good condition. We recommend a regular inspection of the car battery to double-check that it’s in good working order, especially before winter, when the cold can take a toll on weak batteries. The average car battery lasts three to five years. Once the battery becomes too dead, the alternator can longer charge it, plus the light will come on.

There’s always the chance that the problem is actually related to the car battery. This issue will also cause the battery light to come on, letting you know that it’s not charging. What you will end up with is a dead car battery. If the wiring becomes damaged or worn, the signals will become interrupted, leaving the battery without the charge it needs to operate. The alternator provides power to the car battery, but it can’t do this without the appropriate wiring and connections that voltage travels through. Along with burning smells and unusual noises, you should also watch out for the typical signs of a dying car battery. You may also see physical damage to the pulley if you perform an inspection. If the belt is getting caught or worn against the pulley, you will see some damage. The first sign that something is wrong with the pulley may be a damaged belt. If the pulley is damaged or failing, it can cause a lot of problems with the belt, which turns into issues with the alternator. The serpentine belt wraps around the alternator pulley as it weaves in and out of the various components. If it’s not resolved promptly, you will end up with a dead car battery. The alternator typically lasts 100,000 to 150,000 miles, so this isn’t a problem that should be dealt with often.Ī dying alternator is going to give off several signs, including dimming headlights and malfunctioning electrical equipment. If the alternator is failing, the battery isn’t going to receive the power it needs. The alternator is responsible for charging the car battery while the engine is running. You may also see flickering or dimming lights and the engine could stall if the battery dies completely. This problem also leads to a squealing noise, especially when it’s cold outside. If the serpentine belt begins to fail or it starts slipping, you are going to notice trouble running the alternator. It will usually last 50,000 to 100,000 miles when it’s taken care of. The serpentine belt is responsible for running the alternator along with other accessories.

Here’s our video with the reasons why your battery light is on, and we go into a little more detail below. There’s also the chance that the battery is bad, there’s corrosion on the terminals or the engine ground strap is bad. It could also be due to a worn alternator, a bad pulley or damaged wiring. The battery light may be on because the alternator belt is broken or slipping.

Reasons Your Battery Light Is On While Driving

Battery indicator light on dashboard