Your car’s battery may continue to die for a variety of reasons, such as age, a malfunctioning alternator, a human error when it was mounted on your car, and more.
You’re late for work and you rush to the car, only to find out it’s not starting. The headlights are weak and the engine simply refuses to start. You realize that your car battery is dead. How did this happen?
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The car battery is the most important piece of equipment for starting and driving your vehicle.
It sends energy from the engine to the spark plugs, igniting your car’s fuel, while also providing other power systems.
This includes lights, radio, air conditioning, and more. You may be able to tell when your car’s battery is starting to die, if you find it difficult to turn on, if the lights are blinking, or a weakened alarm system.
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The car battery may start to run out of power for 8 reasons:
1. Human error
You’ve probably done this at least once in your life, you come home from work, tired and you don’t really think, and you leave the headlights on, you don’t close the trunk completely, or you even forget some lights inside.
Overnight the battery is drained and in the morning the car does not start. Many new cars will let you know if you have left the lights on, but they may not have alerts for other components.
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2. Parasitic consumption
Parasitic consumption is due to components in your vehicle that continue to operate after the key has been removed from the ignition.
Some parasitic consumptions are normal - the battery provides enough power to keep things, such as the clock, radio presets, and operational security alarm at all times.
However, if there is an electrical problem — such as faulty cables, poor installation, and faulty fuses — the parasitic consumption can exceed what is normal and will deplete the battery.
3. Faulty loading
If the charging system does not work properly, the car battery may discharge even while driving.
Many cars give electricity to their lights, radio, and other alternator systems, which can cause the battery to consume more if there is a charging problem.
4. Faulty alternator
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An auto alternator recharges the battery and powers certain electrical systems such as lights, radios, air conditioning, and automatic windows.
If the alternator has a bad diode, the battery may drain itself. An alternator diode that is not working can cause the circuit to overload even when the engine is stopped, and you will end up in the morning with a car that will not start.
5. Extreme temperature
Whether extremely hot or cold, temperatures can cause sulfate crystals to accumulate. If the car is left in such conditions for too long, the accumulation of sulfate can affect the long life of the battery.
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It can also take a long time for the battery to charge in these conditions, especially if you only drive short distances.
6. Excessively short roads
The battery may run out prematurely or if you make too many short trips. The battery offers the greatest power when starting the car. Stopping your vehicle before allowing the alternator to fully recharge the battery can affect its long life.
7. Corroded or weakened battery cables
The charging system cannot charge the battery while driving if the battery connections have corroded.
These should be checked for dirt or signs of corrosion and cleaned using a cloth or toothbrush. Loose battery cables make it difficult to start the engine because they cannot transfer electricity efficiently.
8. Old battery
If the battery is old or weak, it will not hold a full charge well. If your car constantly does not start, the battery may be worn out.
You should generally replace the car battery every 3-4 years. If it is old or poorly maintained, the battery may die regularly.
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What to do with a constantly draining battery:
Having a battery that doesn’t stay charged is frustrating, and trying to find the cause of the problem can be difficult.
Assuming that draining the battery is not because of a human error, you will need the assistance of a qualified mechanic who can diagnose the car’s electrical problems and determine if a dead battery or something else in the electrical system is causing the problems.
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Photo source: timesofisrael.com, liveabout.com, lifestyle.iloveindia.com