What Causes A Car Battery to Die

2 February 2022 Aman

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what causes a car battery to die. It could be how long it has been in use among other reasons. Batteries rarely die due to factory defects. So the cause mostly comes from external elements.

A car battery is usually lasts for a long period of time, even for years. If you’re buying a new car battery, the battery’s life is amongst the things that you should check.

How Car Battery Works

The battery is responsible for powering the Vehicle once you start it. The car’s computer signals the battery to start a lead and acid chemical reaction. The result is energy production which facilitates the starter motor to initiate fuel combustion within the combustion chamber.

The energy coming the lead and acid chemical reaction is in volts. Most vehicles use batteries capable of producing 12 Volts. If this voltage decreases even a little bit, it interrupts the battery’s operation capacity.

Luckily for the engine setup, when the vehicle starts, the charging system takes over. This consists of the alternator which tops up the battery’s charge. This ensures that the battery doesn’t run out. A faulty alternator is one of the reasons why a car battery dies.

Signs of a low voltage battery.

When the car engine is off, the battery powers some of the minor car parts. For example, lights, stereo and wipers. You can check a battery’s charge capacity by simply turning on either of these. Afterwards, if they’re not operating as usual, it could be a low battery.

Alternatively you will notice a few other signs like

Starter Clicks severally but doesn’t start the car.
Radio doesn’t work.
Dim lights.
Engine Cranks but doesn’t start.

Causes of Car Battery to Die.

1. Loose or Corroded Battery Connections.

The engine shakes and the car movements cause a vigorous movement. Hence the reason why the battery connections may become loosely connected. On the other hand, corrosion comes about when harmful elements stick on the battery terminals.

Conducting regular checks to ensure the connections are fitted properly won’t hurt. In fact it will prevent the vehicle from stalling. Further, to prevent accumulation of corrosion, just clean the connections regularly.

2. Extreme Temperature Conditions.

If you’re planning to store your car for a certain period, it’s advisable to leave the battery unconnected. Extreme temperatures have bad effects on a car battery because of their chemical composition. Now if subjected to such conditions, a battery’s operating capacity is compromised. Newer batteries tend to be resistant to this but the older ones are fragile.

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3. Battery Isn’t Charging When you’re Driving.

This is a serious problem because it could damage the battery by depleting its charge. The battery gets charge from the alternator when the engine is running. Once the engine goes off, the battery isn’t being charged which increases its use. For example, if you turn the car engine off and the stereo or lights keep running, they’re using the car battery’s charge.

The Battery charge depletes if it wasn’t getting any charge from the alternator when the engine was running. This might make it difficult to restart the car once you have parked it.

4. Lights have been left on.

This is a mistake that people make too often. Maybe because you were in a hurry you turned off the engine and left a lit light. This is a guarantee that the battery charge will be drained.

5. Old battery.

This is an inevitable occurrence. If there is an issue with the battery, remember back to the date you purchased it. Probably the battery is old and doesn’t have sufficient juice.