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Hi, I'm Azim Uddin, a student who loves cars. Visit carcaresite.com to learn about car maintenance for beginners and experts. In my studies, I found a cool connection between hosting and car care. Join me on this journey where every road has a story, and hospitality meets the thrill of cars. Explore, learn, and enjoy the ride with me!
Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Azim Uddin
Seeing the battery light on the dashboard is concerning, and if the car shuts off simultaneously, it needs your attention. You need to look at it in no time to avoid any fatal problems.
So, why does the car shut off while driving, and the battery light comes on? Well, this might happen due to battery and alternator complications. A bad ground strap could be responsible for this, too.
Now, this just answers the reasons behind the problem. To know about the solution, read along as we got all the details here. So, jump onto the main part to eliminate this problem now!
Why Does the Car Shut Off While Driving and the Battery Light Turn on?
There are several causes that can shut off your car along with the battery light illumination. However, complication with the alternator is the main factor behind this problem.
So, here we have got all the details of the reasons behind this problem along with the solutions.
Alternator Complications
An alternator is very crucial for the battery to work properly. It charges the battery so that the battery can produce the current needed to start the car.
Now, if the alternator does not work properly, it can stop charging the battery. For this, the car would not be able to start. Besides, if the alternator goes bad while the car is running, the car will stop, too.
This is because the alternator provides the power to the electrical system required while the car is running. So, a bad alternator can not provide power to the car’s engine and other electrical systems, stopping the car from running.
An alternator goes bad mainly when the brushes wear out over time. Sometimes, the alternator belt may also become loose and can stop the pulley from working, making squealing noises.
From time to time, the alternator belt may even snap. Note that the electronic components, like the regulator in the back of the alternator, may stop working, too.
Due to a failing alternator, the other electrical components of the car will have distortion to work properly. As a result, your car will not start.
So, there could be many complications with the alternator, leading to this problem.
Solution
With an alternator complication, there is actually not much of a solution. It is better to let an automobile expert take over in such a case.
However, if you want, you may check the brushes to see if they are all right. Tighten the brushes and see if the alternator works fine.
You may also check if there is any squealing noise, which indicates electronic failure of the alternator.
So, with such complications, it is better to replace the alternator. Here is a video that shows how to replace a car alternator.
A Bad Battery
The most common reason for your car shutting off with the battery light is a bad battery. Your car battery might be bad for various reasons, like getting old or rough use.
Solution
To know whether your battery is good or bad, you can test it with a voltmeter. Connect the battery terminal to the meter and inspect the voltage. If the voltage is from 12.5 to 14.5, the battery is okay.
But if the voltage goes below 12.5, the battery condition is not okay. Note that any reading below 11 indicates that the battery is bad.
In such a case, there is no repair possible as you have to get a new battery to replace it.
Corrosion in the Battery Terminal
A car battery terminal getting corroded over time is something common. This mainly happens if you often keep the bonnet open for a long time.
The air around mixes with the hydrogen gas released from the battery to corrode the battery. Note that there might be some other reasons for battery terminal corrosion, too.
Solution
To fix this, you need to clean out the corrosion of the battery terminal. Take a piece of clean cloth and damp it with an alkaline solution.
Now rub off the corrosion to take it off. For your information, you can get this alkaline solution from an automobile shop.
Loose Battery Cable
A loose battery cable can interrupt the battery to work properly. There is no particular reason for the battery cable to get loose.
Solution
Look at the battery cable to understand if it is really loose. You can use a wrench or even a plier to tighten the battery cable.
A Bad Ground Strap
The ground strap connects the chassis to the negative terminal of the battery to maintain the overall current flow.
A bad ground strap can result in the battery being charged. To identify a bad ground strap, you can look for symptoms like flickering headlights, engine stuttering, and being cranky.
Solution
To fix this problem, you need to replace the ground strap. Although there is a very low chance of repairing it, you can still talk to an expert about it.
Although it is the same for all cars, here is a video to clarify the process a bit more.
So, this is how you can fix the problem of your battery.
Tips to Prevent My Car from Having This Issue
To maintain your car battery and the overall condition, here are a few tips that you can follow.
- Try to clean your car battery regularly. Make sure you do it, especially if you go for a long drive in a sandy or windy area.
- Do not keep your car idle for a long time. Try to start the car once every two days, even if you don’t drive it.
- Make sure there is no corrosion in the battery.
- Give your car a break when you are driving for a long time.
- Test your battery with a voltmeter every month.
- Keep the cables tight.
So, these are a few tips that you can follow.
If your car struggles to start after putting gas in, you might find our articles on cars struggling to start after putting gas in helpful. Our article on the struggle to start after putting gas in explores some of the common reasons why this issue can occur, such as a stuck evaporation (EVAP) purge valve, an incorrect octane rating, a malfunctioning fuel pump, a dead battery, etc. Be sure to check out our resources on Car Struggles to Start After Putting Gas In for more information. Also, turning the car off while idling with the AC on might help sometimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequent queries about the car shutting off while driving and battery issues.
Does a battery light coming on indicate any engine problems?
No, a battery light coming on does not indicate any engine problems. However, if you fail to look at the battery problem quickly, the engine might be affected. The engine of your car might start overheating over time.
How much does it cost to replace a car battery?
The average cost of a car battery is about $140. Note that this price can range from $50 to $250 due to various qualities. To replace a battery, there are some labor costs as well, which will be around $12.
Is it a good idea to repair a battery instead of replacing it?
If the battery is less than 5 years old, you can repair it. However, if it is more than 5 years old and having a problem, you better replace it. Overusing a car battery can cause problems for your car, like shaking, grinding noises, and more.
The Final Words
Now you know why your car shuts off while the battery light comes on! We believe you have no more confusion regarding the solution now.
Coming to the end of this article, we want to warn you about something. If you even see the battery light blinking, check the battery. A blinking light may indicate that the battery is too hot which can lead to fatal accidents. Be careful!
