Why does the battery go dead? Diagnose and fix battery problems.
The vehicle’s first movement is made by the battery. A malfunction that may occur in the battery or in the vehicle’s electrical/mechanical system may cause the vehicle not to be started.
Your vehicle wouldn’t start when you turned the ignition. You will need to either replace the battery or charge it.
Why does the battery die?
There are many reasons why a car battery could go dead.
- – Forgetting to switch the ignition off and turn on the headlights.
- – Battery does not charge while you are driving. (You have a charging issue)
- – Electric leakage in the vehicle (interior light, radio/tape and trunk lamp), or interference (later added coffee machine, fridge, heater (webasto), etc.).
- – Do not leave the vehicle unattended for too long.
- Frequent contact switching
- – Battery-vehicle incompatibility. (in Ah, CCA)
- – Loose starter belt.
- – The battery is at the end of its useful life and cannot charge. (battery should be replaced).
Battery Voltage and Charge
First, check the output of your battery charging system (also known as the alternator). Turn on your headlights to check this. If the headlights do not turn on at normal brightness, it may not be due to a dead battery. If the vehicle does not start, it could be due to a bad starter relay, solenoid malfunction, or loose wiring. You will need to test the voltage and output of the battery if the headlights don’t turn on or are dimmed.
A fully charged lithium-ion battery should be able to read more than 12.6 volts. If the battery reads less than 12.45 volts, it is low (less that 75 percent charged), and must be recharged.
How do you test a battery?
Make sure that the ignition key is turned off and all lights are off. Check the condition of your battery by connecting the RED The POSITIVE terminal can be reached by either the POSITIVE or POSITIVE voltagemeter tests. The plus symbol (+). marks the positive terminal. Connect the BLACK The NEGATIVE voltmeter test leads to the NEGATIVE battery terminal. The negative terminal is marked by a (-). minus symbol
Refer to the table below to verify the readings of your voltmeter.
The battery voltage and state of charge:
12.66v. . . . . . . . . . one hundred%
12.45v . . . . . . . . . . 75%
12.24v . . . . . . . . . . 50%
12.06v . . . . . . . . . . 25%
11.89v . . . . . . . . . . 0%
For constant electrical consumption measurements in vehicles, persammeters should have a sensitivity of 10 ml. A persammeter should connect to the vehicle’s negative cable and the value should also be measured. On 12 volt systems, the value should be between 20-30 ml amperes and 60-80 ml amperes on 24. If the measured value exceeds the expected value, then the standard electrical consumption of the vehicle may be high.
Battery acceptance must meet at least 12.6 Volts. This battery is not recommended for use if the voltage drops below 12.4 volts. The sulfation reaction in the battery has already begun. The battery charges at 75% or less. The battery’s service life will be severely reduced if it is connected to the vehicle.
Measurement of Alternators
Normal operation should yield approximately 13.8 to 14.8 V at idle. If the voltage of the charge is lower than 13.0 volts, then the alternator will not be able to produce enough power and the battery will not be charged. Overcharging can cause the battery to be burned. Alternator should be replaced if current output falls below specifications. There is an alternative test that you can do if you don’t own a voltmeter. If your vehicle stalls quickly after disconnecting the terminals, this means that the alternator is not charging. The test is risky, and may result in the alternator diodes burning out. A voltmeter is recommended.
It is important to test the battery after it has been charged. A handheld electronic battery tester can help you do this. The battery must be changed if it is damaged.
Wet-cell lead-acid battery life expectancy is between 4-5 and 6 years. The battery’s life expectancy may drop to 2 years in very hot environments. AGM (Absorption Glass Mat), batteries last longer and are more durable. You must replace a wet cell battery that has lasted less than 4 or 5 years.
