Why is my battery light on?

When your car’s battery loses charge, you’ll have trouble starting the engine, may stall while idling at lights, and could even suddenly lose power on the road. These issues can lead to major breakdowns, so if you find yourself asking, “Why is my battery light on?”, it’s time for service at Freehold Subaru. Our team can take care of these potential problems before they cause larger issues.

Alternator Failure

Your alternator is responsible for converting energy from the engine to the battery while you’re driving. As it begins to wear out, it has more and more difficulty charging the battery, leading to a low charge and your warning light. The issue could be in the connected regulator that manages your battery’s charge, too: if it can’t sense your battery’s current level accurately, it can overcharge or undercharge the battery.

Corroded Terminals

Batteries may seem simple, but complex chemical reactions take place every time they charge up. From hydrogen escaping through battery vents to acid leaking out of tiny cracks, these chemicals often build up on battery terminals and interrupt the flow of electricity. If you’ve done a lot of rough off-roading, the connections may have just become disconnected from the terminals from shock.

Serpentine Belt Issues

The serpentine belt, also called the drive belt, spins when the engine is moving and converts gasoline power to the alternator. Since it’s a moving part, this belt can easily get tangled, worn, or even snap entirely. If your alternator does completely snap, you may totally lose power on the road, and even if you don’t, you’ll likely overheat without this belt powering your cooling systems.

Is Your Battery Light On? Get Service in Freehold, NJ

Battery issues can cause anything from dimmer headlights to a complete breakdown. If your warning light just turned on, visit our Subaru service center in Freehold, NJ, for a quick tune-up. We’ll find the issue so you can get back on the road with confidence today!

Categories: Service