What causes the battery warning light to come on?
The cause of the battery light could be a loose or corroded battery cable or other wire connecting components of the charging system, or it might be a problem with the alternator or voltage regulator. The alternator generates the power that is stored in the battery.
Can you drive your car with the battery light on?
Can I Keep Driving My Car if the Battery Light Is On? Yes, you can, for a short time. The light indicates that the alternator isn’t charging the battery, which means your car’s electrical system isn’t getting the full power it needs.
Why does my battery light come on in my Ford Taurus?
If you see your Taurus’s battery light turns on while the engine is already running, that is a strong indication that the alternator is no longer providing enough wattage to power the various electrical systems and charge the battery at the same time. A new alternator will rectify the problem.
How do you test a Ford Taurus battery with the engine off?
With your Taurus turned off, you’ll connect the negative side of the meter to the negative battery post or wire. Touch the positive side of the voltmeter to the positive battery wire. With the engine off, you should get a reading somewhere between 12.0 volts and 12.6 volts.
Can a Taurus run with a bad battery and alternator?
The battery is primarily there to start your Taurus. It can run off the alternator just fine once it’s started. This is an important thing to know. A bad battery usually makes itself known when you are trying to start the vehicle. 2. Alternator A bad alternator will usually make itself known when the engine is already running.
What does it mean when the battery light comes on?
The battery light comes on when it detects that the voltage in the battery is too low. Most battery lights will come on when the vehicle starts if the computer has detected that the voltage was too low for a quality start. With an older battery, you will often notice this on the first truly cold day of the year.