Why is the Battery Light on in my Car?

If the battery light comes on while you are driving, this indicates a problem with the charging system. The car’s charging system comprises of three main components. If the dashboard battery warning light remains on, it may indicate a problem with one of the following:

Why is the car battery warning light on explained
Take immediate action if the car battery warning light comes on your dashboard
  • Alternator / alternator belt – The alternator generates electricity and is used to charge the car battery and to provide power to vehicle utilities
  • Battery – The car battery stores electricity and is used to start your car and to power various electrical utilities when the alternator is unable to do so
  • Voltage regulator – Ensures the alternator provides sufficient power to charge the battery, whilst also ensuring excessive power isn’t produced that otherwise might cause damage
  • Cables and connections – The various cables and connections (including the battery terminals) that link the charging system may have corroded or become loose over time which may cause a connection fault

Ignition and Starting

The battery warning light will come on with the ignition and should go out shortly after the engine has started. This is normal. If the battery symbol stays on after the engine has started or comes on whilst driving, there is a fault.

Car battery not charging due to alternator belt
The alternator belt can become loose or break preventing the battery from charging

What to do if the Car Battery Light Comes on

  1. Do not turn your car engine off as you may not be able to restart it if there isn’t sufficient charge remaining in the battery. One of the biggest battery power drains is starting the car.
  2. Depending on the fault, if there isn’t enough electricity being generated, there is the possibility that your car may break down. To keep your car going as long as possible, turn off anything in your car that draws power, except of course your lights if you’re driving at night. This should include heater, air conditioning and window demisters being the biggest energy drains. Though utilities such as interior lights and the stereo use very little power, it’s still best to turn these off and don’t forget anything that you might have plugged into the USB port such as a mobile phone or sat-nav.
  3. It’s advisable to now drive directly to a car service repair station. Once you have reached your destination, turn the car engine off. Start off by checking the battery terminals. Make sure they are tightly secured to the battery and that they are free from corrosion. You can clean any corrosion with a wire brush. Check also the alternator belt. If this is lose or broken, it will not charge the battery. If neither of those fix the fault, you’ll need to have your alternator and battery tested.

9 thoughts on “Why is the Battery Light on in my Car?”

  1. Irene

    I have my battery check,all is good battery full .charging full .light still says Stop

  2. Hi Irene,
    Have you had the alternator tested and checked all cables are properly connected and erosion free?

  3. Steve

    When the car battery light is on whilst driving,will the battery spoil?

  4. Hi Steve,
    If the battery light is on while driving, it usually means the battery isn’t charging, or charging properly. It’s often an alternator or wiring / connection problem.

  5. i turn my 135i off and put it on accessory. I listen to the radio for 2 minutes and the light comes on for 30 seconds and the radio shuts off. It starts normally but i can not listen to the radio in accessory. What gives?

  6. Samantha Parkay

    What if I have my stability light on and my battery light and also the abs come on

  7. Hi Samantha,
    A bad electrical / charge system can often cause other fault lights to illuminate. It’s possible that you have a bad / old battery or a charging fault. I should start with having your battery tested along with the alternator and check to ensure all cables, connections and drive belts are tight and working. Once that is sorted, it’s likely that the ABS and stability lights will go off.

  8. stuart

    My daughters C1 had the battery light come on whilst driving up the motorway she managed to get off then power steering light came up and power steering went off also ABS light is now on any ideas

  9. Hi Stuart,
    The place to start is to check alternator belts, then test the alternator. If there’s not enough electricity being generated, it can cause other systems to malfunction, hence the various warning light. Test battery and check battery terminals condition and connections. Could be a wiring issue or something shorting out – perhaps due to water. Always best to start with the easiest; alternator, belts, battery and terminals, then move on from there.

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