Car battery warning light

[loobie]

My battery warning light has come on and is staying on. Will it be ok to drive tonight for about an hour on and off? I don't want it to conk out when I'm on my own!!

If anyone has driven with the light on let me know. Thanks

[Richie1976]

On and off will not be good for the battery and will only increase the chances of it conking out. Where possible, leave the engine running as this will give the alternator time to put some much need juice back in to the battery. Hope this helps Loobie.

[loobie]

Thanks Richie, I will just have to tell my boyfriend to be ready when I go and pick him up!!! That way I'll turn it off less! Thanks again.

[jake-the-peg]

If the battery light is staying on then your alternator is probably not charging the battery. It's very likey that your car will not start when you next try it - especially at the moment whilst it's cold.

Check your fan belt is still there you may be lucky it might have come off or be loose (has it been "screeching") otherwise the chances are you need a new alternator.

[dilligaf]

The most common cause is if the fan belt is loose or has come off.

If this is the case DONT DRIVE AT ALL. The engine will overheat very quickly resulting in expensive damage.

[ianess]

All I can say is that warning lights are there for a purpose and you ignore them at your peril.

My son had a mechanic "friend" who told him it was OK to drive with the oil light on. He found out the hard way that it wasn't true.

Eventually, assuming that the fanbelt is still there and you're not overheating, then the battery power will drain away to the point that the engine will stop. This will happen very quickly if you use lights, demisters. or even the radio.
Best to not take any chances.
Good luck.