When the battery light comes on in your hyundai genesis it tries to advise that there is a problem with the charging system.
The charging system itself is relatively simple. The battery light comes on because the battery voltage level is too low.
Quick Facts
| common causes | Bad battery, bad alternator, battery cables, corrosion of battery terminals |
| standard risk? | Yes, without enough voltage, the motor will die. |
| symptoms | Air conditioning failure, dim headlights,random glitches, red battery light (none for now) |
| Typical repair costs (parts) | Battery $100-200, alternator $150-$300 |
Most battery lights come on when a vehicle starts when the computer determines that the voltage is too low to crank the starter motor at the correct speed. The Genesis battery light may come on at any time while driving if the voltage drops below a certain threshold.
You may have noticed that your car has trouble starting and the battery light stays on after starting.That would indicate a bad battery, but it's still worth checking out first.
Hyundai Genesis Battery Light Causes + Diagnosis
The charging system in vehicles has changed little in the last 50 years. Here are the basics of how your Genesis charging system works:
- A serpentine belt rotates the alternator.
- The alternator charges the battery and powers your car.
- The voltage regulator creates a fixed output voltage that protects the system from overload.
- The battery stores voltage when the starter needs it or when the demand for voltage suddenly increases.
- The battery warning light informs the driver if there is a problem with the charging system.
Just below are the most common causes of your Hyundai Genesis battery warning light. Possible corrections are presented in a good way to check your car.
1. Check serpentine belt
Before testing your Genesis battery, go over the basics. The serpentine belt that turns the alternator tops the list.
Take a look at the alternator. Is the belt missing? Is it shiny and cracked? If it is completely missing, do not drive your Genesis for any reason until you have it replaced. If it's shiny and cracked, it might not be turning the alternator fast enough to charge the battery even if it's present.
With the engine running, look at the serpentine belt. If it seems unstable or makes a squeaky noise, replace it.
2. Remove any battery post corrosion
Then examine the battery posts. If acid has built up in the battery, you can fix your Genesis alternator warning light by cleaning it and the battery terminals.
Voltage from the alternator goes to the battery through a wire that connects it to the battery post. When the battery terminal is corroded, it can no longer do its job of sending voltage to and from the battery efficiently and the Genesis battery light will come on.
It only takes a second to check the battery terminals. A battery post cleaner or wire brush can clean them quickly. Just be careful not to let the corrosion get in your eyes.
Battery terminal cleaner is available at most parts stores. You can also mix a generous amount of baking soda in water to clean the connectors. Leave in the mixture for about 10 minutes.
3. Bad ground wire
Above we discussed that a bad ground connection on the battery can cause the lights to flicker and not turn on. But a damaged or loose ground connection can cause the problem anywhere on the cable.
Examine your Genesis's ground wire for any obvious damage. Then follow it to the mounting location on the engine block or chassis. Make sure it's tight and there's no rust underneath. This is a very common reason for this.Turn signals flash/no start.
4. Test the alternator
If you have a multimeter, you can quickly test your Genesis alternator at home. Is easy:
- Set the multimeter to voltage. Specifically, you need to set it to 20V DC.
- With your Genesis turned off, connect the negative side of the meter to the negative battery post. Touch the positive side of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal. With the engine off, you should get a reading between 12.0 volts and 12.6 volts.
- Now that you have a baseline, it's time to start the engine. Leave the air conditioning, headlights and other accessories turned off.
- After starting the engine you should get more than 14.2 volts. If you have 14.2 or more volts, the alternator will charge just fine. If it's still showing at 12, it's time to replace the alternator. If it produces a voltage level in the 13s, go ahead and take it to a parts store to have it tested. It's probably broken.
- Assuming the alternator is producing more than 14 volts, turn on your headlights, air conditioner, radio, and any other accessory you can think of, and do the same test again. If the voltage has dropped for 12s, this is a very strong indication that your Genesis alternator needs replacing. It's still worth testing, but be prepared to replace it.
An alternator that is not generating enough voltage is usually noticeable when the engine is running.
If you see your Genesis battery light come on while driving, your alternator is likely no longer providing enough voltage to power the various electrical systems and charge your battery at the same time.
Can you drive your Genesis with a faulty alternator?
Driving with a bad alternator is not a good idea. If necessary, there are things you can do to extend your car's life before the battery dies:
- Turn off the air conditioning
- Turn off the radio
- Do not use the autostart function
- No headlights. If you have to drive at night, the battery will drain quickly.
Basically anything you can turn off will only increase the range of your Hyundai Genesis using its battery. It will likely stutter and misfire a bit before the engine fails completely.
5. Test the battery
If the battery light stays on, but does not come back on after the engine has been running for a few minutes and then restarts, your Genesis battery probably needs replacing.
If the battery terminals are clean and you have more than 14 volts on your multimeter while the engine is idling under full accessory load, but the voltage drops below 12 volts when you turn the Genesis off, it is likely that the battery is bad.
You can take it to a parts store to have it tested and replaced for free. It's a great way to convince you to buy a battery from them.
Your Genesis can easily run on the alternator once it starts. This is important to know. A dead battery is usually noticeable when you try to start your vehicle.
Resetting the battery light
You don't have to do anything to reset your Genesis battery meter. It should take care of itself while you fix the problem. It sometimes stays on if the voltage level was too low when the vehicle was started. If so, it should shut down by itself on the next boot (if the problem has been fixed).
Fazit: Hyundai Genesis Battery Light
Going straight for battery replacement usually fixes your Genesis's low battery warning light, but taking a look at the charging system first can save you a lot of money.
Your Genesis will run off battery power for a short period of time. But if the alternator is bad, you'll end up stuck.
If the battery light comes on while you're out and about, get tested as soon as possible. Expect to get stuck.
FAQs
How do I turn off the battery light on my dashboard? ›
Simply remove the terminal covers, disconnect the battery cables, and give the terminals a hearty scrub. Tighten the cable clamps. Sometimes a car battery light comes on because there's a weak connection between your battery and the cables that connect to it.
Can you reset the battery light on a car? ›A: After a battery is replaced in some vehicles, the battery charging system monitoring system will need to be reset. This can be performed with a scan tool or dedicated battery reset tool.
What causes the battery light to stay on? ›The battery light on your car dashboard signals a charging problem with your car battery. If the light turns and stays on, it might be that your alternator isn't generating enough voltage to charge it. Common causes can be a broken alternator belt, damaged battery cells or a failed alternator.
Can I drive with battery light on? ›Driving with the battery light on is not something that you should do. If you do, you run the risk of being stranded by the side of the road with a dead battery. It is much better to be safe than sorry, so if your battery light comes on, make sure to take care of it right away!
Why is my battery light on but car starts fine? ›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.
How do I know if my alternator is bad? ›First, open the hood and start the car. While the engine is running, remove the negative cable from the battery. If the vehicle stalls or dies, the alternator is likely bad. This happens because the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the engine running on its own.
Which battery terminal do you disconnect to reset check engine light? ›Steps to Reset an Engine Light
Locate the negative terminal on your car battery. It will have a black cap and a negative (–) symbol. Using a wrench, loosen the nut on the negative battery terminal and pull the negative connector from the battery. Keep it disconnected for 30 to 60 seconds.
The light should go out when the problem is repaired. It may not go out immediately though. You need to have your alternator checked. Right now, all of the electrical devices on your car are drawing from the battery.
How much does it cost to fix an alternator? ›Alternators can average anywhere from $100 to $350, depending on the model. In most cases, costs will average between $350−400 for the alternator replacement if no other parts need to be changed. Add another $20 to $50 to your bill if the serpentine belt has to be replaced as well.
Why is my battery light on with new battery and alternator? ›It is possible that the problems that you have been experiencing with the bad alternators have damaged the battery causing it to be weak. This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
How long can I ride with my battery light on? ›
How long your car can survive with the battery light on depends on a lot of factors, including the age and condition of your battery and the type of car you drive. In general, it will take around 30 to 60 minutes after the battery light turns on for the car to stall.
Can I drive 2 hours with battery light on? ›How Long Can You Drive After the Battery Light Comes On? Once the check battery light comes on, you have roughly thirty minutes to an hour before the car will stall. If you can pull over, try to do so as quickly as possible after the light comes on.
How long does it take to reset a car battery? ›If you want to perform a full reset, wait at least 15 minutes before reconnecting the battery to ensure all residual power has been drained.
Why does my battery light not go away after replacing alternator and battery? ›It is possible that the problems that you have been experiencing with the bad alternators have damaged the battery causing it to be weak. This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
How do you reset a car battery without another car? ›- Step 1: Set the ignition to “ON”
- Step 2: Put the gearbox in the second shift.
- Step 3: Press down the clutch pedal.
- Step 4: The person or persons who are outside the car should start pushing the vehicle.
Disconnecting and reconnecting your battery will restart your vehicle's computer and clear the light. Drive an older vehicle around for a few days after repairs. The light will go off on its own once the computer resets.