#Car battery indicator not working how to#

Remove the battery’s positive terminal cover.

We recommend you opt for a digital voltmeter as they are much easier to use.įor the most accurate reading, perform this test twelve hours after turning off your vehicle to give any surface charge a chance to dissipate.

#Car battery indicator not working how to#

How to Test Your Battery Voltage with a VoltmeterĪ simple method for checking your battery’s voltage involves using a voltmeter, which measures the electrical potential difference between two points in an electric circuit (in crude layman’s terms: voltage). Remember, black is negative, red is positive.

Here are a couple of ways you can test your battery voltage yourself. Note: If you aren’t experiencing any of these symptoms, you should check your battery’s voltage. If you remember hearing a slight growling sound coming from your vehicle before your things took a turn for the worse, that may be a clue that alternator is deteriorating.If your interior lights are gradually dimming as the car is running, your alternator is likely to blame.Conversely, if the brightness of the headlights doesn’t change intensity, your alternator is most likely working smoothly. If your lights shine brighter during the rev, it could mean that your alternator is producing some current, but not enough at idle to maintain a sufficiently charged battery. With your headlights on, try revving the engine.In such a case, this means there is little or no charge being created by the alternator. If you discover that the lights are a little dim, then that could be an indication the lights are being powered primarily by the battery. After you’ve started your vehicle, turn on your headlights.You can check on the health of your alternator in a few ways: So if it seems like your battery isn’t working, this is the first place you should look.

The alternator converts energy from the engine into alternating electrical current for the battery, which powers the vehicle’s electrical systems. If you’re noticing some power issues and you’re concerned about the prospect of a dying battery, you should first run a couple of tests to determine whether the issue is with the battery or the charging system (the alternator) before spending a good chunk of change on something you don’t need. Is the Alternator or the Battery to Blame? If you have the right tools for the job, there’s no reason you can’t do it all by yourself. Today, we’re going to show you an easy way to test your battery voltage.įortunately, this is a relatively simple task.

Which means you should regularly check your battery’s charge to make sure it has enough juice to last you the next couple of months. Without a functioning battery, you’re not going anywhere.