The computer controls the alternator. If the charging system is malfunctioning, that could be the cause of the weak battery.The computer controls the alternator. If the charging system is malfunctioning, that could be the cause of the weak battery.
system may need to be evacuated prior to charging
You have to find the cause of the charging system malfunction. It could be the alternator, wiring, or PCM.
It means that the computer has detected a malfunction in the charging system. It could be over or under charging. You will need to have the system checked.
With your limited info there could be many reasons but first have you tested the cold cranking amps on the battery? The charging system may be fine but if the battery is going it could cause the problem your describing.
Could be charging system (battery, alternator) or fuel system (pump, line).
Bad alternator
Your charging system is not working. It could be the Alternator or the regulator or both. It's not a good idea to test the charging system by removing a battery cable while engine is running, this can damage the charging system.
The use of the vehicle will "drain a battery" the job of the charging system is to charge back the used electricity. If the battery continues to "drain" then charging system needs to be checked to see if it is faulty. It is also possible to modify a system which may not allow the charging system to keep up with the demand such as sub woofers and amps in a trunk area. A winch mounted on the front bumper incorrectly or too big for the electrical system. It is also possible for normal wear and tear to cause a system "drain".
Intermittent Operation of the Charging System Warning LightIf I understand what you mean by "battery light," what I call a charging system "Idiot Light," then there could be several causes, but...The most common cause is that when the engine idle speed drops below a certain point, the RPM required to cause optimum alternator output is too low momentarily, and that indicates that there is more current flowing OUT of the battery than the charging system is putting INTO the battery.If the light goes out on increase in engine RPM, then this is probably the cause, and it's not an indication of a problem in the charging system.If this is the case, it would not hurt to have a qualified engine technician check the engine idle speed, and readjust if necessary
Driving a Vehicle with a Charging System Warning Light IlluminatedIF there is enough current left in the battery to start the vehicle, AND properly supply the ignition system, then yes, it is possible to drive the vehicle. But, doing so could cause further damage to the charging system, and when the battery power level goes low enough, the ignition system could shut down and you will be stranded.Therefore, I strongly recommend NOT driving the vehicle until you have had the charging system checked out and properly repaired. This is especially true if it is dark and you will need to use the headlights, tail lights, and marker lights, all of which draw a lot of current and will acclerate "draining" of the battery!
If the battery and alternator are good and the charging system is not working, then you either have loose or corroded wiring or the drive belt is slipping.