Wednesday, February 3, 2010

How to Diagnose a Dead Car Battery

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

It's happened to the best of us - typically when we're in a hurry to get somewhere: the heart-seizing, irritating "click" and dead silence when the ignition key is turned.

A car that refuses to start can have any number of things wrong with it, but by far the most common is a dead battery. Rather than paying a tow truck to bring it in to the shop here at Cars for Keeps, there are a few simple ways to diagnose whether your battery is dead or something more serious is amiss.

Here are a few simple ways to check if it's time to get a new battery or some professional help from a mechanic.

Try turning the headlights on. If you turn the ignition key and hear a "click", but the engine doesn't roll over, this is a good indicator that there's not enough juice to turn the engine. A good way to double-check this is to try the electrical system by turning on your headlights and attempting to honk the horn. If they don't work, it's a likely bet your engine is dead. If your lights work but the engine might roll over, there may be a problem with your carburetor or fuel injector, and it's time to bring it in to Cars for Keeps for some car battery repair.

Check for dirty or faulty battery connections. Put on some non-conductive (latex) gloves, pop the hood and check the cable connections to your battery. If you're not at all mechanically inclined, simply look for the two large lead terminals protruding from a box, with cables leading out from the terminals. Wiggle the clamps to see if their loose, then reaffix them securely to the terminals. Clean excessive dirt from the lead terminals if they're dirty, then try starting the car again. If it still doesn't start, it's probably time to visit Cars for Keeps for some car battery maintenance.

Try jumpstarting the battery. Just like in Princess Bride, car batteries have different levels of "deadness". A car battery that's mostly dead will start when jumpstarted. If the car does jumpstart, you'll want to make sure the engine is turned on long enough for the car to recharge. If it doesn't restart, the car battery is likely all dead - or something more serious is wrong. Rather than looking through its pockets for loose change, give us a call.

Faulty alternators, fuel injectors and carburetors can often mimic a dead car battery, so if your vehicle has reoccuring start problems or none of the above tests work, it's a good idea to have a professional mechanic take a look under the hood. Catching these types of problems before they blossom into a full breakdown can save on hefty repair costs.


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11 comments:

RAS said...

Oh batteries....great invention,except when they don't work!! I became a 'hero' recently to a friend who had come to help me out, and then needed to leave on time to get to her next apt. You guessed it...that dreaded "nothing" when she turned the key. UGH! "do you have battery cables?" she asks me in utter despair. Well, yes, but let's check something first....pop the hood. I wiggled the batter cables a bit and told her to "try again". Vroooom ! She was awash in delight and amazement. I shrugged, "..watched my husband do things like that for many years." She determined to have the 'mechanics' in her life fix and tighten ASAP, and away she went. It's not always that easy, but sometimes that's it.

Unknown said...

This is really good information. I am new to being a car owner so I don't know much about this stuff. I love the quotes, too, it helps me remember the principles.

Anita Mas | http://www.caruanaauto.com.au/batteries.html

brittanymlemay said...

it's a likely bet your engine is dead. If your lights work but the engine might roll over, there may be a problem with your carburetor or fuel injector, and it's time to bring it in to Cars for Keeps for some car battery repair. smoke alarm batteries

Sandra Crooks said...

Batteries getting dead are very common problems and it happens most often. These 3 tips really work. Thanks for making some idea on the procedure. Especially in winter, I faced battery issues. It’s better to consult the care center and make your car battery winter ready and perform necessary repairs to prevent the battery getting dead. BMW Specialist Plano, TX.

George said...

The battery in my volvo is 10 years old now. It starts normally everytime, but I noticed a whineing sound when radio is on am stations recently then goes away 30 minutes later. Could that be the alternator working hard recharging?

Unknown said...

Thanks for the blog. In cars and trucks, starting/cranking or shallow cycle battery gives short, high powered bursts of electricity to fire up the engine. For more:http://www.powergenixsystems.com/best-car-battery-reviews/

charlos john said...

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Ryan Gray said...

Thank you for sharing this article! For someone who has taken car maintenance for granted one too many times, I would also suggest to have the number of a good roadside assistance service near where u live or go to work like i have On-Site Auto and Services near Port Orange. I have been saved a lot of time and hassle due to their quick service.
But yes everyone should make a habit of taking their car for regular checkups.

Justme said...


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Alex mathew said...

Batteries getting dead are exceptionally normal issues and it happens most frequently. These 3 hints truly work. A debt of gratitude is in order for making some thought on the technique. Particularly in winter, I confronted battery issues. It's smarter to counsel the consideration community and make your vehicle battery winter prepared and perform essential fixes to forestall the battery getting dead.