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.
Well, in this article, we’ll be discussing 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?
Read more: Dead car battery: causes, signs and how to charge or fix it
Ok, let’s get down to it!
Contents
What are the reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge?
Here are well-detailed reasons why your car battery won’t hold a charge:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Read more: What can drain a car battery? Warning signs of a low car 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.
Read more: Understanding car battery
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.
By following these steps, you can help prevent your car battery from not holding a charge and prolong its lifespan.
Read more: Battery terminal corrosion: causes, signs & how to clean it
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.
Read more: Dead car battery: causes, signs and how to charge or fix it
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.
Read more: Auxiliary battery malfunction: meaning, causes, and how to fix
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.
Read more: How to tell positive and negative on a car battery
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.
Read more: How to test a car battery with a multimeter
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.
Read more: How long do car batteries last? Signs that its time
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.
Read more: How to charge a car battery with a charger in 6 simple steps
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.
Read more: How to recondition a car battery
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?
I hope you learn a lot from the reading. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading see; you around!
