You turn on the car’s ignition, the lights on the dashboard including the battery charge light come on momentarily, and off you go.
It’s like clockwork, you probably don’t think about it.
Unless of course, there is an exception, for example, when the battery charge light does not light up and yet the car runs fine and the electrical systems work well too.
What causes this? Should you be concerned? These are probably some of the questions you may have.
It is important to minimize the risk of investing hundreds of dollars in a replacement part only to find something else is faulty.
In this post, you’ll find reasons why the battery light may not light up, checks, and possible fixes to help you pinpoint the fault faster.
What it means – Car Battery Light not Coming ON
If the car starts and runs fine and charges the battery too then there is probably a problem with the charge light or wire connection.
The charge light is connected to the electrical circuit that supplies the initial voltage to the alternator and gets it running. It goes out when the alternator voltage matches that battery voltage.
Read on for more information and what checks to do to find the fault.
Why the Car Battery Light might not be Coming ON?
Note: It helps to have a good quality meter and the schematic of the car’s electrical system on hand
#. There is a loose or broken wire connection(s) at the alternator plug or along the wire length.
Inspect the wire connections at the alternator plug and along their length for damage to the insulation, loose connections, or a broken connector(s).
You may have to gently tug at the small wires to check if they are firmly connected or not.
#2. The charge light bulb in the instrument cluster is burnt out. With the engine running, ground the terminal marked D+ at the alternator plug. Does the Battery light come on?
If not, then probably the light is burnt out or there is a fault in the wiring between the alternator and the connection to the instrument cluster.
Use a multimeter set to measure continuity or resistance to check for continuity between the alternator plug’s D+ terminal, and the connector at the instrument panel.
If this checks out Ok, then you might have a problem with the battery charge light.
Is it Safe? Should you drive the car?
Even though the car may work fine, it is important that you get the battery charge light fixed and working again to avoid the risk of being caught unawares in case of a dead battery or the car engine suddenly stopping.
Related Questions
Car Alternator Not Charging the Battery and Charge Light on The Dashboard Off – What to Do
Check for loose wire connections at the alternator including the plug.
Also, inspect the wire connections from the plug along their length for damage to the insulation or loose connectors.
Test the alternator too – you can take it to an auto repair shop for testing. Do not hesitate to contact a qualified mechanic.
Closing Thoughts
If your car battery charge light does not come on and the car starts and runs fine, check the wire connections at the alternator plug and the battery charge light in the instrument cluster. These are potential problem areas.
Do not hesitate to contact a qualified mechanic.
Recommended Posts
