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, loose or corroded terminals, an improperly charged battery, an overcharged battery, a charger issue, weather conditions, taking very short trips, leaving the engine off for an extended period of time, or leaving the headlights on.
Ok, let’s get down to it!
Why your Battery Won’t Hold a Charge
Here are some possible reasons why your battery won’t hold a charge:
#1. Parasitic drain.
When your car’s battery is being drained even when the engine is off, this is referred to as a parasitic drain. Many factors, such as a defective component that consumes power even while not in use, may be to blame for this.
#2. 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 automobile to start. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight by inspecting them.
#3. Extreme temperatures.
Your battery’s efficiency will decrease if the water in it evaporates during a hot day. The battery may have a tougher time producing a charge when it’s cold outside.
#4. Bad or broken alternator.
While the engine is running, your car’s alternator recharges the battery. The battery will eventually run out of power if it isn’t functioning properly.
#5. Too many short drives.
Your car’s battery may not have enough time to recharge between usage if you only make short excursions. This may cause a slow discharge that eventually results in a dead battery.
#6. 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.
#7. 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.
#8. 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.
#9. Aging battery.
Car batteries have a limited lifespan and will ultimately require replacement, just like other batteries. Batteries lose their capacity to store a charge for an extended period of time as they age.
#10. Battery Not Recharging As You Drive.
Your car’s battery recharges regularly while you drive, but if there’s any connection or mechanical issue, that recharging isn’t taking place, resulting in a quick battery drain. The battery must be checked during routine maintenance to diagnose any issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
However, if you’ve just had work done or want to rule it out, inspect the terminals and tighten any noticeably loose connections. Leaving loose connections can cause excessive resistance build-up, affecting adequate battery recharge. Corrosion may also result in a lack of recharge, so if you notice any, remedy it immediately.
How to Diagnose a Battery Issue
If your vehicle is having trouble getting started or experiencing technical issues, there are a few ways to determine whether it’s the battery causing the issue or something else.
- Check Your Headlights: Not only do headlights help you see at night, but they can be a valuable diagnostic tool. Turn on your headlights and evaluate their brightness. If they appear at full brightness, your vehicle may have a wiring issue or faulty starter. If they don’t look as bright as usual, your car battery is most likely the problem.
- Attach a Voltmeter: Voltmeters help gauge how much power your battery outputs. The red lead is attached to the battery’s positive terminal, while the black is attached to the negative. A voltmeter reading between 12.56 and 12.77 volts indicates a fully charged battery. If the reading is less, you may need to continue looking into the cause of your battery not holding a charge.
- Consider the Battery’s Age and Condition: Old car batteries will often become worse at holding a charge. Check for obvious signs that your battery is too old or worn, such as visible corrosion and cracking. If the battery is at least four years old, it’s time to consider a replacement. If the battery is younger, it could lose charge if it hasn’t been started for days or weeks.
Determining whether or not the battery is the cause of your vehicle issues will help you ensure you correctly repair the issue.
What to Do When Your Battery Won’t Hold a Charge
Factors such as age and corrosion can affect a battery’s ability to hold a charge. A mechanic will inspect your car battery’s condition to determine if it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Inspect Battery Condition
Factors such as age and corrosion can affect a battery’s ability to hold a charge. A mechanic will inspect your car battery’s condition to determine if it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Check Battery Voltage and State of Charge
The mechanic might attach a voltmeter to the positive and negative battery terminals to gauge the state of charge of the battery. If the voltmeter reads anything much below 12.65 volts, it is not fully charged.
Since the state of charge doesn’t necessarily tell you the condition of the battery, professionals will also test the health of the battery using a load tester or digital analyzer.
Charge Battery
Batteries can also lose charge when they’re not being used. Once the mechanic has ruled out a bad battery or other electrical problems, they might use a charger to charge the battery.
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.
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.
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 batteries 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.