The battery light on the instrument panel blinks: causes and solutions
Content
The winding phase may break, the contact may weaken - this will become another reason for the battery indicator to blink.
The schematic designation of the battery on the dashboard of the car is intuitive: a rectangle, in the upper part of which there is a “-” (negative terminal) on the left, and a “+” (positive terminal) on the right. Turning on the starter, the driver sees: the red icon lights up, then, as soon as the engine starts, it goes out. This is the norm. But it happens that the battery light on the instrument panel is constantly on or blinking while driving. Car owners should be prepared for the situation.
Reasons why the battery charge lamp is on
When you turn the ignition key, many vehicle systems, including the battery, self-diagnose. At this moment, the indicators of units and assemblies light up, then go out after a short time.
The battery charge lamp is on
Battery voltage is required only to start the power plant. Then the following happens: the crankshaft gains momentum, makes the generator rotate, the latter generates current and charges the battery.
Generator
The unit does not transfer the generated energy to the battery for several reasons.
Consider typical generator problems using the example of popular car brands:
- The Hyundai Solaris belt tension has loosened. Most often this happens when dirt gets on the inside of the element or the pulley of the assembly. The belt slips, the angular velocity of the pulley is disturbed: the generator generates a low voltage current. A very unpleasant situation is a broken belt drive. A whistle from the engine compartment of the Solaris becomes a harbinger of trouble.
- We have exhausted the working life of the Nissan alternator brush.
- The voltage regulator controller Lada Kalina failed. In working condition, the part limits the voltage transmitted from one source of electricity to another. But problems with the regulator interrupt this flow.
- Diode bridge Lada Priora. Having ceased to function, it does not convert alternating current into direct current, therefore the battery icon is lit on the Prior.
- Backlash or jamming of the alternator pulley bearing on the Kia Rio: the element is worn out or the belt is too tight.
Typical Generator Problems
Battery
In the banks of the current accumulator, there may not be enough electrolyte or the grids are destroyed: the lamp of the device with a constant glow warns of a malfunction.
Oxidized or contaminated terminals and device contacts are another reason. It is displayed on the panel by the lit battery indicator.
signal lamp
On VAZ models there are light bulbs with a filament. When owners change elements to LED options, they see an alarming picture of a non-fading battery icon, although the car started up and the engine began to gain momentum.
Wiring
The wires of the standard electrical network can break, fray: then the indicator light is dim, half-glow. The same phenomenon is observed when breaking through the insulation of cables, or with poor contact due to dirt and rust on the voltage regulator. The latter is known to drivers under the name "chocolate".
Diagnostics and repair
It is easy to make sure that the car's electric current sources are working:
- Start your car.
- Turn on one of the peripheral consumers, such as headlights.
- Remove the negative terminal from the generating device: if the headlights do not go out and the machine continues to work, the generator is intact. If everything goes out, then the problem is in the generator: you need to check the node in detail.
Diagnostics and repair
Having stocked up with a multimeter, you need to do the following:
- Turn the drive belt by hand. In the normal state of the part, your effort will be enough for 90 °. Check for dirt buildup on the belt surface.
- Measure the voltage with the instrument after stopping the engine. If the voltage is below 12 V, the alternator is to blame.
- Turn on the multimeter at warm-up speed. If it shows less than 13,8 V, the battery is undercharged, and if it is higher than 14,5 V, it is overcharged.
- Check the voltage with a tester at 2-3 thousand engine revolutions. If the indicator exceeds 14,5 V, check the integrity of the voltage regulator.
Generator brushes
Abrasion of these elements up to 5 mm is noticeable to the eye. This means that the part is not repairable and needs to be replaced.
Voltage regulator
Check the part with a multimeter. The voltage regulator is disabled by a short circuit in the mains, mechanical damage. Also, the cause of the node malfunction may lie in the incorrect connection to the battery.
Diode bridge
Check this component with a tester in the resistance measurement mode.
Diode bridge
Proceed step by step:
- To prevent a short circuit, attach one of the probes to the terminal 30 of the generator, the other to the case.
- To make sure that there is no breakdown of the positive diodes, leave the first diagnostic probe where it was, and attach the second one to the diode bridge fastener
- If you suspect a breakdown of negative diodes, attach one end of the device to the fasteners of the diode bridge, and place the other on the case.
- Check additional diodes for breakdown by putting the first probe on the output of 61 generator, the second on the bridge mount.
Bearing failures
Worn out pulley elements lead to backlash and early wear of the belt. In addition, problematic bearings cause more serious damage - jamming of the generator shaft. Then the parts cannot be repaired.
Bad contact on the generator
The closed contacts of the unit are usually lubricated with protective materials. But moisture, dust, rust still damage the positive and negative contacts. Manipulations in the form of cleaning elements help the case: the generated current is supplied to the battery.
Open generator circuit
The phenomenon when the generator cable breaks and the insulation wears out is not uncommon. Fix the problem by replacing the damaged section of the wiring.
However, it may turn out that the bolt connecting the phase terminal to the diode bridge is loosely tightened, or rust has formed under the fasteners.
Open generator circuit
It is necessary to find and remove corrosion from all contacts of the machine's electricity sources: then the light on the instrument panel will turn on and off normally.
Inspect the power diodes: sometimes it is enough to solder them. At the same time, inspect the stator winding. If you notice darkened turns, the generator resource has been exhausted: give the unit for rewinding (this procedure is rarely carried out at home).
What to do if a breakdown in the battery circuit caught on the way
It happened that the battery indicator did not go out in due time. If the car has not yet moved, then you need to check all possible options for a malfunction. In a garage with the necessary tools at hand, diagnosing and repairing the system is easy: drivers with minimal electrician skills cope with the task on their own.
Worse when the badge caught fire on the road. By turning off the engine, you run the risk of becoming a hostage to the situation and no longer start the engine: you will need a tow truck or a tug on someone else's vehicle.
Since most often a burning icon notifies you of problems with the generator, try to reach the nearest car service on the battery. Charging a battery with a capacity of 55 Ah is enough for 100-150 km of travel, provided that you do not turn on the audio, climate system, and other consumers.
