Audi Battery Light Stays On? 5 Things Largely To Blame
Your car can't talk... however if it encounters a problem, it can alert you by turning on the corresponding warning light on the dashboard. This blog post tells the story of one such dashboard warning light; the battery light. We have tried our best to help you understand the reasons behind the battery light coming on and the things you can do to get rid of it.
Battery Light: What Story Does This Warning Light Tell???
The illumination of the battery light doesn't always mean battery trouble. It could indicate one of many different things going on with your vehicle's charging system. The below discussion sheds light on some of the prominent factors responsible for the appearance of the battery light.
Culprit #1- A bad alternator
You may think of the battery as the center of your vehicle’s electrical system. But truth be told… the alternator is what keeps your Audi battery properly charged to meet your vehicle's energy demands. If the alternator starts acting up, there will be a hard time for the battery to obtain the requisite amount of electricity. When the onboard diagnostic system gets aware of the situation it will activate the battery light right away.
Culprit #2- Broken voltage regulator
The voltage regulator essentially regulates the voltage output of the alternator and makes sure that it remains within the range of 13.5V to 14.5V. By maintaining a steady power supply, the regulator ensures that there is no damage caused to the battery and other crucial charging system components. If the voltage regulator acts up, the battery will have trouble receiving the requisite amount of electricity. This interference in power generation may prompt the onboard computer to trigger the battery light.
Culprit #3- Corroded battery terminals
Another major reason why car battery light gets triggered is corroded battery terminals. After all, these are the terminals through which the battery receives the electrical power generated by the alternator. If for some reason these terminals become damaged, the battery will have difficulty receiving the required amount of power from the alternator. And guess what??? This will set off a domino effect affecting all levels of the electrical system in your Audi and trigger a light in the process.
Culprit #4- Alternator belt/ pulley issue
As you are completely aware, for the alternator to harness engine power and generate electricity, it stays connected to the engine through a pulley and a belt. If the pulley gets damaged or the belt comes loose, the alternator's ability to generate electricity will be greatly reduced. When the onboard computer detects that the battery is struggling to receive the required amount of charge, it will turn on the light.
Culprit #5- Excess load on battery
The light illumination is not always a sign of trouble. Sometimes it gets triggered due to the overloading of electrical accessories. Whatever the reason may be… if your Audi's battery light is on, don't take it for granted. Find out where the problem is and act accordingly.
How to Deal with an Illuminated Battery Light?
- Check the battery and alternator. Most of the time, if not always, it is either the battery or the alternator that is to blame for the vehicle's battery light illuminating. So, if your Audi warning light starts flashing, the first thing that you should do is to have someone check on these parts.
- Replace the battery if it is too old. If your Audi battery has reached its maximum usable life, consider replacing it. Because an old battery is vulnerable to problems. So, if you don't want your vehicle to come to a halt in the middle of nowhere due to a flat battery, check on the battery from time to time and get it replaced if it is more than three to five years old.
In Short
An illuminated battery light usually suggests that there is something off with your Audi's battery or the alternator. You must visit the nearest auto service center to figure out the factors that are at play behind your vehicle's flashing battery light. Some additional point worth mentioning here is that evaluate your battery's volt carrying capacity from time to time and if it has reached its maximum useful life, get it replaced.