The computer controls the charging system on this vehicle. If you already had an automotive mechanic check the vehicle and they seen the problem is in the computer causing the charging system problem then another mechanic like one from YourMechanic...
The charging system light will illuminate when the vehicle control system detects a problem with either the battery or the alternator. Typically, the alternator is the cause for the light. If the alternator is not able to maintain the battery...
Hello, thank you for writing in. When a vehicle has alternator issues, the entire car is forced to run off of the battery. As you can imagine, this stresses out the battery and can cause it to prematurely fail. Start...
The charging system light may be computer controlled on some vehicles or controlled by the instrument cluster circuit or the alternator output. We would need your vehicle year, make and model with engine size to give a better diagnosis for...
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is detecting an issue with the alternator or the battery. When supplied power from the system is too low or too high, the monitoring system will alarm you. You should have the...
Charging system output should be verified against factory specifications as the alternator may be failing or have failed thus accounting for the battery light. It is also possible that the serpentine belt does not have adequate tension and thus is...
In order to know if the light is coming on for the alternator you will need to test at the alternator when the engine is at 2,000 rpms to see if voltage goes over 15 volts. If it does then...
The voltage output of the alternator should be tested at the battery terminals while the engine is running. You should read output of 13.8 volts on up to maybe 14.4 volts but the value (and range, which is dependent on...
The Charging System indicator on your car’s dash looks like a battery with a + and – symbol. Like most of your other dash lights, it should come on briefly and then go off after you crank the engine. Here...
Your car’s charging system is an essential component – without an operable battery and alternator, your car won’t go anywhere. If the Charging System light is flashing on the dash, there’s something wrong. The main reason for the light to...
If you lost power steering and then lost power to the engine you may have broken the alternator and power steering belt. Your charging system light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) should of come on before the battery went dead. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection) You should first...
The "battery" light is actually the charging system warning light. It means that the charging voltage is low. Most often it indicates a problem with the alternator, but there can be other causes as well. If the alternator is not...
The battery light is telling you that there is a malfunction in the charging system. The smell might be fluid leak, or if there is an electrical problem you might be smelling burning insulation. When the charging system is not...
Hello, thank you for writing in. The first step is to make sure all battery cable and alternator connections, are clean, dry, and tight. The second test is to have the vehicle scanned for diagnostic codes, in case there is...
Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. If the fluid level is normal and the brakes work normally, it might be safe to drive to a repair shop but beyond that, no, it is definitely not safe to...
There may be a fault with the alternator and/or the battery. You can use a voltmeter to check charging system output at the battery posts. Output should be in the neighborhood of 14.5 volts but the actual specification will depend...
The charging system light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) is on most likely due to the alternator is not recharging the battery. As you drive it you may loose all power and vehicle will stall. I would recommend having a mobile mechanic like one...
Your battery and charging system will need to be tested to see if the alternator is charging correctly. The alternator is most likely the cause of your Charge Light and Battery Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) coming on. You should replace the alternator...
Hi there. If the charging light is on while the engine is running then that is almost always an indicator of a failing alternator. You should start by checking the connections at the battery to see if they are clean...
Your dash is information central – gauges and warning lights provide you with a great deal of important information. If your Charging System light comes on (it looks like a little battery), it means there’s something wrong. It should come...
