Yes, a failing or dead battery can ultimately trigger the check engine light. However, this may not mean the battery is the main or only cause of the illuminated warning. Learn how a bad battery can impact your car below.
What Does A Check Engine Light Indicate?
The check engine light is undoubtedly one of the most common warnings a driver will find illuminated on their dashboard. At the same time, this light is often one of the most misunderstood warnings.
An illuminated light can mean anything from emissions trouble to a bad sensor. It can also indicate a weak or failing battery. When the check engine light pops on after a battery died or started acting up, it is certainly not a coincidence.
Your car’s entire system runs on electrical power, so when the battery is failing, it can result in other systems throwing codes. This can happen even if they are not broken.
How Can A Bad Battery Trigger A Warning?
Today, cars rely heavily on a stable voltage responsible for keeping their electronics working correctly. When a battery begins failing, it can cause low voltage or voltage spikes. Either way, this will confuse the car’s computer. Sensors can send bad data, or the system could completely lose track of what it was focusing on.
A weak battery can result in all sorts of false alarms, including the illumination of the check engine light. This is especially common immediately after a battery gets jumped or dies.
In some cases, a failing battery can cause serious issues, such as stalling, inconsistent sensor readings, or hard starts. All of these problems can lead to the check engine light coming on.
Signs Of A Bad Battery
If you are unsure if the battery is really the culprit for the check engine light, look for the following symptoms:
- Headlights or interior lights dimming.
- Recent battery replacements or jump-starts.
- Slow engine cranking when starting the car.
- Flickering or resetting of dashboard lights.
- Clicking noises when turning the key.
It’s always important to keep in mind that a failing battery is not the only thing that can cause these issues. Make sure to test your battery before choosing to replace it.
How To Reset A Check Engine Light
Ideally, the resetting of a check engine light should involve the necessary repairs being performed and then the vehicle is driven until the light shuts off. You could also try to start and restart your vehicle a few times to see if the light simply turns off.
If you have an older vehicle, you can find the appropriate fuse and pull it out in order to replace it and turn off the light. If these methods are unsuccessful, the best way to turn the light off is to disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Use the steps below to properly reset your check engine light.
Step 1.
- Make sure your vehicle is parked and turned off.
- Remove the key, at this time.
- Put on your safety gloves and pop the hood.
Step 2.
- Once the hood is popped, you must locate the battery.
- Loosen the nut on the negative battery terminal.
- It is possible you’ll need a wrench for this task.
- You can find the negative terminal as it is colored black and features a minus (-) sign.
Step 3.
- Pull the negative connector away from your battery.
- Let it sit for up to a minute.
Step 4.
- Reconnect the connector and nut on the negative terminal with the help of your wrench.
Step 5.
- Start the vehicle up, ensuring you no longer see the check engine light illuminated.
- You may need to reconnect and reprogram the infotainment and navigation software once the light has been reset.
University Auto Repair In Flagstaff, AZ
When you need your car fixed, you need it fixed fast, and you need it fixed the right way. At University Auto Repair, we strive to provide the best and highest quality auto repairs in the region. We live here too, and we are dedicated to the safety, security, and convenience of drivers and car owners throughout the Flagstaff area. Contact our team today!
