When you turn the key in your automobile and nothing happens, it is a horrible experience. You are aware that the battery was fully charged the last time you drove the vehicle, but it’s now entirely dead.
There are numerous reasons why a car battery might not hold a charge. The most common and possible reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge include an old battery and loose or corroded terminals.
Additionally, improper charging, overcharging, a faulty charger, adverse weather conditions, taking very short trips, leaving the engine off for an extended period, or leaving the headlights on can also cause issues.
Well, in this reading, we’ll explore the reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge, how to prevent it from happening, and how often you should test your car battery.
Let’s begin!
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Reasons Why Your Car Battery Won’t Hold a Charge
Here are well-detailed reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge:
- Faulty alternator
- Parasitic drain
- Charging system problems
- Corroded battery connections
- Old battery
- Defective battery
- Extreme temperatures
- Lights left on
- Blown fuses
- Battery is draining the electricity
- Cold weather
- Headlights were left on
- But it could be the battery
- Charging system issues
- Parasitic draw
- Poor battery condition
- Battery Terminals
- Corrosion
- Drive frequently
- Frequent short rides
- Incorrect battery
- Loose or corroded connection
A loose or corroded battery terminal connection
Anytime the connection between your battery and terminal is faulty, it may stop the flow of energy and make it impossible for your car to start. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight by inspecting them.
Ensure that all of the cables beneath the hood are connected. Your battery won’t function properly if the terminal connection is loose. If you jump it and your car won’t start and your electrical systems start to hesitate, there’s probably a loose lead.
Check the terminal lead is secure using a wrench, and make sure both wires are securely fastened.
Parasitic drain
Parasitic drain is an unintentional overdraw of energy by a component. When you switch off the car, items that have malfunctioned, such as the radio system or glovebox light, could still draw power from your battery, draining it.
You most likely have a parasitic drain if your car doesn’t start on a regular basis, you’ve confirmed that your battery is connected, and you’re not accidentally leaving anything on.
Extreme temperatures
Extreme temperatures might make it difficult for the battery to last. Both cold temperatures and temperatures above 95 to 100°F (35 to 38°C) are difficult for batteries to withstand.
Your battery is most likely alright if your car is having trouble starting in the harsh weather; it’s just experiencing some normal issues because of the heat or cold. Avoid using the radio or other devices while driving in exceptionally hot weather, and park in a garage or in the shade.
Make sure your oil is completely turned off, park indoors or downwind, and run your car for at least 20 minutes each day if it’s really cold.
If your battery is older or already weak, it is more likely to be affected by extremes in temperature. However, healthy batteries may also be impacted if the weather becomes severe enough.
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Bad or broken alternator
A malfunctioning alternator will prevent the battery in your car from remaining charged. The alternator prevents the battery from running out of power while your automobile is operating by transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy.
The alternator may malfunction or be damaged, causing your automobile to stall while you are driving. You could feel as though your engine isn’t as powerful as it should be or see flickering lights.
Turning the car on and using a voltmeter to test the battery connections enables you to inspect your alternator. Your alternator is most likely in good condition if the voltage spikes when someone cranks the motor. You have to replace the alternator yourself if you’re a gearhead. But hiring a mechanic to perform it can be easier and less expensive.
Too many short drives
Your battery will suffer if you drive for less than 20 minutes at a time. In fact, your alternator cannot start replenishing the battery until the engine has operated for a short while. Continually taking short journeys strains your battery, which will eventually prevent it from starting. When you have to go short distances, try to start walking or bicycling.
Before you drive, let your engine run for a few minutes if you are unable to utilize another form of transportation. Short trips are fine once in a while, but if you drive for three to five minutes every day, your battery will be strained. Your battery may gradually deplete if you leave your car parked and alone for months at a time.
Overcharging
It’s bad for your battery to overcharge. Your automobile battery may overheat and malfunction if you charge it too regularly or for too long.
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Undercharging
The lead plates inside your battery will begin to sulfate if it is not charged sufficiently. In turn, the battery’s power is reduced because there is less surface area available for a chemical reaction.
Deep discharge
Letting your car battery go entirely flat before recharging it might harm the lead plates, which will reduce how much power it can store.
Aging battery
Usually, a new battery is required every three to four years. Car batteries aren’t nearly as long-lasting as most people believe. It could be time to replace your battery if it is older than four years and continues to die for no obvious reason.
Get a new battery that is the exact size and power of your previous one. After that, remove the brackets and terminals, lift the hood, and put in your new battery.
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How often should you test your car battery?
It is recommended that you test your car battery every three to six months, especially if it is parked for an extended period of time or is exposed to extreme temperatures. Frequent testing enables you to identify any battery problems before they result in a failure that could leave you stranded and in need of a jumpstart or replacement.
There are a few indications that the battery in your car may be deteriorating, including a delayed start-up time, dim headlights, or an illuminated battery warning light on the dashboard.
To find the true source of the issue, the battery must be tested, as these symptoms could also be brought on by other problems, such as a broken alternator or loosened battery terminals.
Using a multimeter or taking your car to a mechanic or auto parts store for a battery load test are two ways to test your car battery. A load test places a significant load on the battery to determine whether it can maintain a charge under typical operating circumstances.
It’s time to replace the battery if it fails the load test. All things considered, routine testing and maintenance can help your car battery last longer and avoid unplanned failures.
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How can you prevent the “car battery won’t hold a charge” issue?
There are several steps you can take to prevent your car battery from not holding a charge:
Regularly inspect your battery.
Regularly inspect your batteries to watch for any signs of leaks, corrosion, or other problems. Take steps to resolve any problems you find as soon as you can.
Maintain proper fluid levels.
Regularly check the electrolyte levels in your battery and, if necessary, add distilled water. Verify that the battery level is between the minimum and maximum values.
Drive your car regularly.
Long periods of inactivity in a vehicle might result in battery drain. Try to drive your automobile at least once a week if you don’t use it frequently.
Avoid leaving accessories on:
When the automobile is not running, leaving the radio, headlights, or other accessories on can quickly drain the battery. Before turning off the car, be sure all accessories are off.
Keep your battery terminals clean:
Battery issues can result from corrosion and dirt on the battery terminals interfering with charging. Regularly clean the terminals using a wire brush.
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Check your charging system:
The battery may not hold a charge if the alternator or other parts of the charging system are not functioning properly. Get the charging system regularly checked by a mechanic to make sure it is operating properly.
Store your battery correctly:
Remove the battery from your car and keep it in a cool, dry area if you plan to store it for a long time. When putting the battery away, make sure it is fully charged, and if required, recharge it frequently.
By following these steps, you can help prevent your car battery from not holding a charge and prolong its lifespan.
FAQs
How do you fix a car battery that won’t hold a charge?
When the battery’s voltmeter reads less than 2 volts after testing it, add the battery fluid to the cells. After 24 hours, put the trickle charger on and return the cell covers. A battery that is constantly being discharged requires 24 hours of trickle charging.
What can drain a car battery when the car is off?
When a car is not in use, factors like interior lights, door lights, or even faulty relays can deplete the battery. You usually don’t have to worry about the battery dying while you’re blaring the radio on your commute to work because the alternator recharges it while your engine is running.
Why is my battery not holding a charge after the jump?
The alternator may be defective if you jump-start the battery and it charges for only a little period of time. Before you replace anything, though, it’s crucial to get your car carefully inspected.
Why does my car battery lose charge so quickly?
Loose or corroded battery connections, continuous electrical drains, charging issues, constantly consuming more power than the alternator can supply, and even extreme weather are some of the most typical causes of recurrent automobile battery failures.
How do I know if it’s the alternator or the battery?
It’s time to get the jumper wires and try a jump-start if your engine won’t start or starts much more slowly than usual. Your engine may have a battery issue if it starts, runs for a while, but then won’t start again. If your car stalls out right away, your alternator is definitely faulty.
How can I make my car battery work again?
To achieve this, overcharge a fully charged battery for around 24 hours using a regulated current of about 200mA (milliamps). As a result, the battery’s terminal voltage might increase, rising between 2.50 and 2.66 volts per cell, aiding in the dissolution of sulfate crystals.
Can a weak car battery be saved?
In most cases, dead car batteries can be temporarily revived to get you back on the road. Your automobile battery, however, may prematurely deteriorate due to the buildup of damage, and this usually necessitates replacement.
Can a dead car battery start again?
The term “dead car battery” is frequently used to describe a fully depleted battery whose voltage is below the recommended 12V. The dead vehicle can be started with a jumper cable and driven to allow the alternator to recharge the battery. You could also connect the dead battery to a battery charger.
That is all for this, where we get to discuss the answers to the following questions:
- What are the reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge?
- How often should you test your car battery?
- How can you prevent the “car battery won’t hold a charge” issue?