When you’re driving, and all of a sudden your car dies and all the dash lights come on, what does that mean? Many people have experienced this problem, and when it happens to them they can’t figure out why. This can be a very frightening situation, but that’s okay, we got you. We’ll walk you through the most likely causes of this problem and outline some possible solutions.
Reasons Why All Dash Lights Come On And Car Dies
There’re a number of causes that can cause all your dash lights to come up and the car to die. The most common issue is a faulty alternator. The second most common issue is a dead battery. A third possibility, although rare, is that there is an electrical short in your car's wiring.
Here are some typical causes of all dash lights coming on and the car dying
Car Battery Issues
A car's battery acts as a backbone to support the electrical system in our vehicles. When any fault occurs in the battery, it disturbs the entire electric connectivity in the car. The battery sign flickering on the car dashboard indicates an issue with the battery.
The inefficiency of the car battery causes the dash lights to fluctuate and eventually shuts down the car. When this problem arises, we can neither ignite the engine nor start anything else that runs with the battery voltage.
If all your dash lights came on and the car died, you should promptly consider the battery condition. The average lifespan of a branded battery ranges from 3 to 6 years. But in most cases, it stops working and starts creating problems after three years.
Symptoms of a worn-out battery
- When it has lived up to its working life and creates problems now.
- It spreads an unusual and unpleasant smell.
- Its case has swollen and developed an irregular shape.
- It does not illuminate the lights anymore.
- The engine doesn’t start quickly.
Solution
If possible, take your car to a reputable auto shop if you notice that it's not starting. The mechanic will check the battery, and hopefully, he'll be able to get it working again for you. If not, you'll have to buy a new one.
Faulty Alternator
If your dashboard lights are all on and the car dies, it may be because your alternator has gone bad.
The alternator is an essential component of a vehicle's engine. It transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy to run the car engine. It replenishes the battery and supplies power to other electric parts of automobiles.
The faulty alternator inhibits the power supply to the parts where it's required. It stops working and doesn’t charge the battery anymore. The car engine also quits working when the battery runs out due to the power cut-off to the battery.
As long as the battery is charged, the car will travel without disturbing. But once the battery depletes, the vehicle engine switches off and doesn’t start after that. All the dash lights light up before this happens, warning us about the dire condition of the car.
Symptoms of a faulty alternator
- The car engine stops and doesn’t start afterward.
- Electrical issues like dimmer headlights and fluctuating dash lights.
- Strange and unusual sounds (maybe due to the damaged belt or bearings operating within the alternator).
Solution
If any of the above symptoms occur, get in touch with a mechanic immediately. If you're far from the mechanic's office and your car engine stops working, replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one to get there.
NOTE
Ensure that the replaced battery is charged enough to reach the designated mechanic shop.
Corroded Battery Terminals
We all know that every battery has two terminals, one positive and the other negative. These terminals provide an electrical connection from the battery to other car parts. The corroded terminals of the battery can inhibit the current flow to the car parts that run with electricity.
Moreover, the alternator can’t charge the battery as the decayed terminals remove its connection to the battery. The dash lights tend to come on when the alternator doesn’t charge the battery as it runs down.
The corrosion or rust usually catches the battery terminals after gas drainage from the battery. The acid in the battery contains hydrogen gas. When this gas releases and mixes with the air molecules, it causes corrosion.
Loosely attached cables to the battery terminals can also be a reason behind the power supply disturbance to your car or why all your dash lights came on, and the car died.
Solution
There is an easy remedy to get rid of this corrosion.
To remove the corrosion on a corroded battery, use baking soda and water.
First, coat the terminals with baking soda. If necessary, add more baking soda to make it thick enough to stay on the terminal.
Next, pour water onto the terminals to initiate a chemical reaction, resulting in some bubbles. This neutralizes the acid corrosion and removes it from each terminal. Finally, wipe away the excess baking soda and clean the terminals with a rag to make sure they are free of corrosion.
Bad Fuses or Relay Switch
A relay switch in cars is responsible for switching on and off multiple things altogether. A relay uses a small current in one circuit to control a larger current in the second circuit. It provides power to the course when turned on.
The blown fuses or faults in the relay switch usually cause minor issues like headlights and interior light problems. But in rare cases, it can also switch off the car engine. It might cause the dash lights to blink and ultimately shut the car.
NOTE
Before blaming the relay switch, ensure that the battery is charged.
Symptoms of faulty relay switch
- Engine stops responding.
- The car engine doesn’t produce any sound when we start it.
- Dashboard lights fluctuation.
- Battery drainage overnight.
- Burnt electrical smell.
Solution
If your car's relay has become faulty, you can remove the cover and clean it with a soft brush. You can also tap it gently with a metal object to get rid of any corrosion stuck to it. However, if you don't know much about car repair, you should visit a car workshop. Let an expert diagnose the problem and repair it for you.
Short circuit In The Wiring Or Faulty Sensor
A short circuit in the car's wiring or a faulty sensor can also cause the dashboard warning lights to come on and the car to shut down.
A short circuit occurs when a wire touches another wire that it wasn’t supposed to touch. There're many complicated systems in cars, including ignition and fuel systems, which are controlled by electronic circuits and sensors.
If there is a fault in any of these systems, the car won’t start. The dashboard lights of the vehicle will blink to inform you that a problem has arisen with the car’s circuitry.
Symptoms of short circuit or faulty sensor
- The orange “Check Engine” light starts glowing on the dashboard.
- The smell of a burning plastic wire.
- Dash lights start blinking.
- Car sensors stop working.
- Sparks and smoke rising from electric cables.
Solution
You can fix the short circuit by separating the accidental connection of wires. Taping the uncovered cables can also prevent exposure to any conductor or other electric wires.
Takeaway
Whenever you witness some of the unusual lights fluctuating on your car's dashboard, then quickly summon any automobile expert. Don’t march to a long drive in this condition because your car engine can shut down at any moment.