Which dashboard indicator would illuminate if the battery is not receiving a proper charge?

• A. The fuel gauge
• B. The temperature warning light
• C. The alternator light
• D. The airbag indicator

Answer: (C)

When the battery isn’t being charged properly, the dashboard will warn you with the charging system indicator. This light points to the alternator not supplying enough power to recharge the battery while the engine runs, which is exactly what happens when charging isn’t happening correctly. The alternator is responsible for keeping the battery topped up, so its warning light is the signal you’d see. The other indicators—fuel level, engine temperature, and airbags—are for unrelated issues: fuel, overheating, and safety system status, respectively. So the light you’d expect to see in a charging problem is the alternator (charging system) indicator.