AUTO UPDATE

10 SYMPTOMS OF A WEAK CAR BATTERY

 

The car battery provides the jolt of electricity necessary to power all the electrical components in your vehicle. Without battery power, your car as you have probably noticed won't start, infact, it’s your ride’s heart and soul. The last thing you want, is to be left stranded with a dead battery. The more you know about your battery and electrical system, the less likely you’ll get stuck.

If your car is plagued with a failing battery, here are some common signs you’ll likely experience:

1. DIM HEADLIGHTS



Headlights are an electrical component powered directly by the battery. If your headlights are dimming, they’re not getting enough battery power. While dim headlights can also be a sign of another electrical problem, like a bad alternator — you should get your battery checked. 

Not only are dim headlights a safety concern, but they could also be one of the symptoms of a dying battery. 


2. SLOW ENGINE CRANKS

One of the first telltale signs of failing battery power is a slow, long crank before the engine starts. If you notice a difference in your normal startup of the car, you can get your battery checked. In most cases, you’ll only need to recharge your battery. 


3. CLICKING  NOISE WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR

If you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition, it indicates a low-power battery issue — or even a dead car battery. A dead battery can also be the result of a faulty alternator. 

Either way, you’ll probably have to jumpstart the vehicle and pay a visit to your mechanic to decide whether to go for a car battery replacement.

TIP: Ensure you keep a set of jumper cables stashed in your boot for this situation.


4. GAS  PEDAL  NEEDS TO BE PRESSED  TO START THE CAR

A typical vehicle doesn’t need gas to start. If you have to push down on the accelerator just to get your vehicle started, you probably have a bad battery and should let an auto repair technician decide whether you need a new car battery.


5. THE  ENGINE BACKFIRES

In rare cases, a failing battery can produce sparks that cause your engine to backfire. 

This is a symptom you won’t miss, but an engine backfire can result from many underlying problems — not just a battery issue. 

It’s best to let your mechanic check all causes (including the possibility of a bad battery) if you notice backfiring. 


6. SMELL OF SULFUR

A swollen or aging battery can leak its internal battery acid — and by doing so, emits a strong smell of sulfur. If you notice a sulfuric smell around your vehicle, immediately check on your battery and replace it. 

A bad battery will die eventually, but the battery acid that leaks out can corrode parts of your engine — leaving you with an engine repair bill that’s much higher than replacing a bad car battery. 


7. SWOLLEN BATTERY CASE

If you notice a bulging or warped battery, it’s likely due to a buildup of hydrogen gas inside the battery case — and you’ll need a new car battery. 

This can happen because the battery life is over, the battery is subject to extreme temperatures, or when a bad alternator overcharges the battery. An alternator can overcharge the battery due to issues with the voltage regulator.

In any case, a swollen battery case means you’ll need a car battery replacement. 


8. CORROSION OF THE BATTERY TERMINALS

Corrosion around the positive terminal or negative terminal is a sign of an overcharged or leaking battery — which significantly weakens battery power. 

If you see a battery terminal covered in a bluish crystalline substance, battery acid has leaked out, causing corrosion at the battery terminal — and it’s time to get your vehicle a new battery. 


9. LOW BATTERY FLUID

Some batteries have removable caps so owners can check battery water (electrolyte) levels. 

If you often have to top off the fluid or the battery warning light comes on, it’s an indicator of a bad car battery. 

This happens when cell plates accumulate sulfur and causes the electrolyte to turn into oxygen or hydrogen gas, which leaks out of the battery terminal. 


10. JUMPSTARTS ARE MORE FREQUENT

If you need to plug in your jumper cables to a neighbor’s car and jumpstart your vehicle regularly, the battery power is low, and it probably can’t hold a charge anymore. 

Decreased capacity is a common feature of an old battery. You’ll need a mechanic to check if a new battery is required. Alternatively, you could have a failing alternator that can’t charge the battery. 

Comments

Yabatech automobile updates said…
Knowledge that can cost u money 💰 to learn cos if u re ignorant u end up paying more
July 22, 2023 at 9:50 PM
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