What does it mean when a battery light comes on while you are driving? This is for our Ford van. It started happening in severe cold, and the light son the van would dim. Now, the battery light just comes on two or three times while driving but the lights don't dim.
- John
As someone said have the charging system checked. When the light is on, try turning off all electronics (headlights, radio, rear defrost, fan), does the light go off?
JB wrote in rec.autos.tech
Light comes on because the alternator is not charging. The reason your ligts dim is that the battery was running out of charge. It could be because of a bad or loose fan belt, or because the charging system has a loose connection. Or even the alternator is failing. Have it repaired before you find yourself stranded.
Here's some unlikely scenarios:
(1) The severe cold freezes the belt. The belt refuse to keep up with the pulley and slips.
(2) Coolant freezes, seizing the water pump which is part of the alternator belt, - don't know about Ford van.
(3) High resistance occurs during severe cold between the nearly worn alternator brushes and slip rings, which may eventually fail contact.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required