However, there are times when this gauge may refuse to function. It’s what you use to tell the state of your battery without having to pop open the hood. The battery gauge you see in your car’s dashboard is an integral component. What Happens When My Battery Gauge Stops Functioning? Therefore, if you notice the needle dropping significantly while driving, you shouldn’t hesitate to call your mechanic to check the problem with your alternator. With a faulty alternator, it means that the battery won’t be receiving any charge and will be drained. The alternator should charge the battery while the car is on the move. The needle in your battery can be used to tell when the alternator is at stake. Telling if the alternator has a problem can be a challenge, especially for the new drivers. It’s what helps run the engine after the ignition.Īlternators are prone to breaking as well. As you know, the alternator is another crucial part of the car. Unless you don’t mind the battery going flat in the middle of a road trip, you should take some time to observe what the battery gauge has to say.Īnother amazing thing is that the battery gauge can be used to tell the state of the car’s alternator. Knowing the state of your battery is also important when it comes to planning for your journey. With the figures in your head, you can easily tell when it’s time to buy a new battery for your replacement. As you are aware, a dying battery tends to have abnormal fluctuations. With the readings, you can easily observe the performance. First, the battery gauge readings help you tell the state of the battery itself without having to open the hood. The answer is yes, you need those readings as much as you need your car battery.
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Many people are often asking if they need to take the readings from the battery gauge in their cars. Whenever you collect such a figure, it means that your car’s battery is fully charged, while the charging system is providing the current.Īre the Battery’s Gauge Readings Important? On another occasion, the battery may read greater than zero on the ammeter gauge, when the engine is on. Therefore, unless the drain is corrected, the battery is likely to die. The negative reading in this scenario means that the battery is being drained. Say, for instance, the reading may go below zero. If you are dealing with an ammeter on your dashboard, the readings might appear different. Therefore, within a short period, it’s likely to die. In simpler words, it means that the battery is forced to provide the current.
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But, if the reading goes below 12.5 volts, this should tell you that the charging system isn’t operating as per the expectations. It’s a good sign as this is typical of a good operating system. If you note a reading of between 14 to 14.5 volts, there is nothing to worry about. Therefore, you should go turn the key to roar the engine and observe the needle’s behavior. Once you are sure of the reading when the ignition switch is turned partially, the next step should be to note the reading when the engine is running. Observe the Readings When the Engine is Up and Running