Causes Of A Dead Car Battery
The most common cause of a dead car battery is that you forgot any electric consumer on. It can also be due to a faulty electric consumer which wont shut off when you remove the key from the ignition. It can also be caused by cold weather.
Here is a more detailed list of what could cause a dead car battery.
Tow Your Car And Repair It
At this point, you either had enough power to crawl back home or youre still stuck on the side of the road. In either case, youll want to get a tow to a nearby mechanic. Changing out an alternator is a pretty difficult repair, so its best to let a mechanic do it.
Let them know that you think your alternator is bad. Theyll replace it and might even swap out your battery, depending on how damaged it got during the discharge.
What Causes A Car Battery To Lose Voltage
A car battery is designed to supply 12 volts of power to the electrical system of a vehicle. However, over time, the battery may lose voltage due to a variety of factors. One common cause is accidental discharge, which can occur when the driver forgets to turn off the lights or another accessory that draws power from the battery. Another cause is sulfation, a chemical process that occurs when the lead plates in the battery are exposed to sulfuric acid. This exposure can happen when the battery is left unused for long periods, or if it is frequently discharged and not properly recharged. Additionally, heat and vibration can damage the batterys internal structure, causing it to lose voltage over time.
In conclusion, knowing when to replace your car battery is important. A car battery is an essential part of a car and provides the power needed to start the engine. If the battery is not replaced when it should be, it can cause the engine to stall or not start at all. In addition, a worn-out battery can also lead to electrical problems and decreased fuel efficiency. As a result, it is essential to keep an eye on the condition of your car battery and replace it when necessary. Doing so will help keep your car running smoothly and avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Recommended Reading: Squirrels In Engine Compartment
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Batteries
Your Battery Connections Are Loose Or Corroded
The positive and negative terminals connected to your battery can sometimes jostle loose over time. These terminals may also become corroded. If your terminals become loose or corroded, you might have trouble starting the vehicle because your battery cant properly transmit its power! You could even stall out while driving or damage the vehicles electronic components. You can help prevent corrosion-related problems by regularly cleaning your cars battery terminals! If you are unsure on how to clean your battery terminals, come visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care and have an expert technician do it for you.
How Do You Tell If Its Your Alternator Or Your Battery
If your car wont start, it could be either your battery or your alternator thats causing the problem. Heres how to tell which one it is.
First, check the battery. If the battery is more than three years old, its probably the culprit. Even if its younger than that, it could still be the battery if its been overcharged or if its been sitting idle for a long time.
To check the battery, first make sure that the terminals are clean and free of corrosion. Then, use a voltmeter to test the voltage across the terminals. If the voltage is 12.6 volts or higher, the battery is good. If its 12.5 volts or lower, the battery is bad and needs to be replaced.
Next, check the alternator. The alternator charges the battery and powers the electrical system when the engine is running. If the alternator is not working, the battery will eventually go dead.
To check the alternator, first make sure that the belt that drives it is tight and in good condition. Then, use a voltmeter to test the voltage at the alternators output terminal. The voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If its lower than that, the alternator is not charging the battery.
If youre still not sure which one is the problem, have both the battery and the alternator checked by a qualified mechanic.
Contents
Don’t Miss: Battery Back Ups For Computers
Cold Weather And A Low Charged Car Battery
Was your car standing outside while it was freezing weather? Car batteries can actually freeze if the weather is very cold. This especially happens if your car battery is not fully charged and especially if it is empty.
The cold may actually have killed your car battery, and in this case, you have to replace it.
How Does A Car Battery Die
The are several things that can shorten the life of a car battery, and most of them are preventable. Now, were not talking about that dead battery that you get when the dome light was left on or the car hasnt been driven in a month. Usually, a jump start, booster pack, or battery charger is all thats necessary to revive the car battery and get the car back on the road, but the damage has already been done. Its the accumulation of damage that leads to the untimely death of the car battery, at which point it simply will not start the car. Car battery death, for the purposes of this article, refers to the batterys inability to hold a charge, usually caused by sulfation.
At its most basic, a car battery is constructed of alternating plates of dissimilar metals, usually lead and lead oxide , in an electrolyte bath, usually sulfuric acid in water. When discharging, the battery acid facilitates the flow of electrons, from the Pb plate to the PbO2 plate, generating an electric current, which can be used to start the engine or illuminate the headlights, for example. Because of this chemical reaction, both plates become more chemically-similar and converting fully-discharged car battery plates to lead sulfate , wherein lies the problem.
Don’t Miss: Batteries For Garage Door Openers
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Alternator
4 Signs That Your Alternator Is Faulty Car Will Not Start A vehicle that wont start nearly invariably has a dead battery. Engine has stalled. A vehicle that wont start nearly invariably has a dead alternator. Electrical problems A failing alternator may cause a slew of additional electrical problems. Strange Sounds
Why Does The Battery Die Again After A Jump Start
Here are some reasons why your car battery wont hold a charge after a successful jump start:
- The car wasnt driven long enough for the battery to recharge fully
- The vehicle charging system has a problem, like a bad alternator or voltage regulator
- An electrical system was left on, draining the battery
- The battery is too old and just cant hold a charge
Recommended Reading: Surface Pro 8 Battery Life
S To Fix A Car Battery Going Dead Overnight
A car battery provides vehicle electrical parts power and power up engine. Thus, there are several conditions to lead to battery lose charge overnight. Aging battery loses its ability to hold charge, so replacement of a battery every 3 to 4 years. If your battery is new, you need to use Jump Start Emergency Charger to start up vehicles.
The following will mainly display you 8 steps to fix a car battery going dead overnight:
Malfunction of alternator will lead to the battery to go dead. If alternator works, go to next step if not, have alternator repaired.
Many vehicle users are easily to forget to turn off headlight in this way, it might be the cause of dead battery. In this case, just turn off headlight and jump start withjump starteror charge the battery. After about 15 minutes, your vehicle dead battery problem will be solved.
If headlight switch is in the off position, you should better follow the next step to solve the problem.
If you find a tape or CD get stuck in the player either loading or ejecting causing the motor inside the tape deck to keep running, it consumes battery power overnight. Remove the units and replace the player, reinstall when repaired. If it tests ok, just do the following step.
What Happens If The Alternator Is Still Working
Does your car still work if the battery is weak, but the alternator is still operating perfectly? The short answer to this very relevant question is yes! Batteries go through a sickness process before they actually die as we explained above.
Slowly over a period of time, the car becomes ill, lights will start to dim when the car is stationary, and it will turn over slower.
For a car to work with a very sick battery it would require enough power to start the car and then you must shut down every electrical device that you possibly can on the vehicle. Obviously, this is not possible at night and also not an option in searing heat.
A dying battery will produce a huge load on an alternator, one that will be too intensive and eventually cripple the car. Needless to say, a dying battery can also wreck a healthy alternator, which is the reason why both often need to be replaced at the same time.
Also Check: Does A Title Need To Be Notarized In Arizona
Don’t Miss: How To Check If Car Battery Is Good
How To Jump Start Your Car
What you will need:
Method:
- Retrieve the jumper cables its a good idea to have some in the boot of your car
- Park both cars safely put both cars in park or neutral and turn off the ignition.
- Attach red clips to the battery attach a red clip to the positive terminal of you battery, then attach the other red clip to the positive terminal on the other cars battery.
- Attach black clips to the battery attach a black clip to the negative terminal on the other cars battery, then attach the last black clip to one of the metal struts that hold your bonnet open.
- Start your vehicle if the engine doesnt start, ensure the clips are attached properly and safely, then have the other cars engine running for at least 5 minutes, then try again. If it still wont start, your battery may need a total replacement.
- If your vehicle starts dont turn off your engine. Drive around for at least 15 minutes in order for your battery to recharge.
Its important to note that if your engine doesnt turn on again having been through a jump start, the battery isnt successfully holding its charge and so may need replacing.
Is It Time For A New Phone Or Just A New Battery
If keeping your phone warm and activating battery-saving mode isnt giving you the battery life you need, it might be time to consider a change.
Cell phone batteries are rated for 500 charge cycles, which means they can typically last 2-3 years on average. Depending on use, that can shift anywhere from 1 ½ to 5 years of battery life before your phone battery dies.
At The Lab, weve seen people pay hundreds of dollars to replace their iPhone or Android device when they could have paid much less for a new battery and kept their device instead.
If youre concerned that your phones battery is dying, dont jump the gun and replace your entire phone. Bring it to our experts at The Lab and we can replace your old battery with a new one at a fraction of the cost of a new device.
We can also take a look at your phone and let you know if the cold weather is to blame and your phone might just need a warm-up!
We know what its like to panic when your phones battery wont hold a charge and your nearly-new device isnt working the way it should. Let us put your mind at ease and help you avoid the cost of a new iPhone or Android device this winter.
The Lab is located in the heart of downtown Warsaw at 120 E. Center Street, Suite A. Were open until Monday-Friday and until 2pm on Saturday. We love walk-ins and are always here to help, so bring in your phone today!
Originally published in 2021, this blog post has been updated as of November 2022 to contain the most relevant information.
Recommended Reading: How To Change Battery Nissan Key Fob
What Are The Symptoms Of A Dead Car Battery
There are three important signs to look out for.
The first is trouble starting your car. You might notice that the engine cranks more slowly than usual and seems to take a long time to get going.
Secondly, you might lose electrical power within your car. The battery doesnt just power the engine – it powers things like your radio, electric windows and heaters as well. If these things stop functioning, or dont function as well as they used to, its a sign that your battery is on its way out.
The final and most obvious sign is a dashboard warning symbol that looks like a battery. It could indicate a failing alternator, loose starter terminal or damaged cabling. However, if the light stays on while youre driving, its probably due to your alternator belt which is responsible for charging your cars battery as you drive.
Reasons For A Car Battery Not To Work
- When you leave your car, not in use for long periods of time.
- If you have left your headlights on or the lights inside your car for long periods of time.
- If you drive an old car where the battery is old and worn, car batteries have a limited period of life and need replacing.
- The alternator is what charges your battery and if this is damaged, it can cause issues with charging your battery.
Also Check: How Much To Replace Watch Battery
What Are Signs Of A Bad Car Battery
5 Telltale Signs That Your Car Battery Is Dying Headlights are dim. Your car battery will not be able to properly power your vehicles electrical components, including your headlights, if it is failing. When you turn the key, it makes a clicking sound. Crank slowly. To begin, you must depress the gas pedal. Backfiring.
What To Do When Car Battery Dies: Step By Step
1. Get your jumper cables out
Keep a decent set of jumper wires in your car at all times. Otherwise, youll have to phone for help or hope to locate a kind samaritan with cables. Most major department stores and auto shops will have plenty of affordable options.
2. Prepare the cars
Youll need a second car to be able to complete a successful jump. Youll want to get the two cars about two feet apart. Make sure both cars are in neutral or parked, and use the parking brakes to prevent them from moving abruptly.
3. Put the jumper cables in place
Begin by connecting the positive cable clamp to the positive battery connector of the dead battery. Check to see if the connection is secure. The other positive cable clamp will be connected to the positive battery terminal on the operational car. The black clamp will be attached to the functioning batterys negative connection. The second black, negative cable clamp should not be connected to the dead battery. Instead, apply the clamp to an unpainted metal component within the vehicle that has to be jump-started.
4. The start-up
Start the engine of the operating car and let it run for a few minutes. Then you can try to start the automobile that has stopped working. It ought to begin. If it doesnt, try again after letting the other car run and charging the battery for a few minutes. If the vehicle with the dead battery still wont start, rev the engine of the running vehicle to see if it helps.
Read Also: Interstate Deep Cycle Battery Srm-27
How To Jump Start A Car With A Dead Battery
If you really are stuck and cant get hold of a mechanic to jump your car for you, here are the steps you need to take to get moving again. Remember, you need to be extremely careful when carrying out the following steps as youre dealing with high voltages.
If you see that the battery is cracked and is leaking acid, DO NOT ATTEMPT to jump-start the car as you will be putting yourself in serious danger.
Donât Miss: How Much Do Armored Car Guards Make
Signs Your Car Battery Is Weak Or Dead
A simple way to see if your battery is dying is by turning on the windshield wipers and noting if they are operating slower than usual. Alternatively, the exterior lights and dome light on your car will appear dimmer than usual if your battery is flat, or they may not work at all. Other signs may include:
- Engine cranks but doesnt start
- Engine cranks slowly
You May Like: Does Home Depot Recycle Batteries
Put Your Accessories To Work
If youre constantly on the go, consider investing in a case that does double duty as a phone charger. These are a wide selection of cases that hold a full charges worth of power and can double the life of your battery, and you can turn them on for a burst of power whenever you need it.
Looking to multi-task in style? Splurge on Evergoods clutch purse chargerjust slip your phone in the purse and your phone will start recharging automatically.