This article will show you how to fix a car battery that doesn’t hold charge.
If your car battery won’t hold a charge This article will walk you through how to fix a car battery that is not holding a charge.
When your car suddenly begins to malfunction, try to jumpstart the car battery to see if you can fix it. And if jump-starting the car fails to work, that could mean that your battery might be dead.
However, if it is not dead, it means that you can fix a car battery that is not holding a charge by performing a few simple tests, like reconditioning the battery or cleaning the cells.
However, before performing any tests, test the car battery to determine its condition, if it is not dead. If the battery is more than four years old, the cells may be weak and repairable.
How To Fix A Car Battery That Doesn’t Hold Charge
To fix a car battery that doesn’t hold a charge, get a voltmeter to test the battery, then attach the voltmeter to both the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery. Next, add battery fluid to any of the cells with a 2-volt reading or less, and replace the battery cell covers, set a trickle charger to charge for 18-24 hours.
Here are the instructions and steps to fix the car battery won’t hold a charge
1. Wear A Protective Glove.
When attempting to repair a non-charging battery, the first step is to put on a personal protective glove.
This is important because you will be dealing with live wires and electrical charges. Note, this very important for safety purposes
2. Clean The Battery Terminals.
Take off the plastic covers on the battery terminals, check to see if they are dirty, and clean them well. If a battery terminal is dirty, it could cause the battery to not hold a charge.
3. Perform A Load Test
Next, after cleaning the car battery terminals. is time to carry out a load test on the battery.
To perform a load test on a battery, connect a load tester to the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the car battery.
First, connect the positive terminal and then the negative terminal using a voltmeter.
Check the voltmeter load reading; if it is 12 volts or less and remains there, the battery is bad and should be replaced.
If the volt reading is greater than 12 volts, your battery has passed the load test; remove the cell covers with a screwdriver.
4. Test The Cell Fluid With A Hydrometer.
To test the level of fluid in the cell of your car battery, you will need a hydrometer. Check the solution with a hydrometer; if it is dark, the battery should be replaced right away.
If, on the other hand, the solution is white or green, you should clear it and replace it.
Put a voltmeter on the positive terminal of the battery and then on the negative terminal to test it.
5. Add Battery Fluid
Now, fill any cells with battery fluid that have a volt reading of 2 or less, and replace the battery cell covers. Now.
6. Charge For 24 Hours.
Set a trickle charger to charge for 24 hours. So allow the battery to charge for a whole day, so that the battery will come back to life and be fully charged.
That’s how easy it is to repair a car battery that won’t hold a charge.
Reasons Your Car Battery Won’t Hold a Charge
See below for some possible causes of your battery’s inability to hold a charge:
1. Faulty Car Alternator
The alternator is the powerhouse for all electrical connections in your car. The alternator’s malfunction may be the cause of a battery that is not charging or is dead.
When the alternator is faulty, it can cause the car battery not to charge while the engine is running. It can even make the battery drain faster than it should.
So a faulty alternator is another major cause of the battery not holding a charge.
So if your battery consistently drains and shuts down after jump-starting the car, the car alternator may be faulty.
2. The Battery Is Old
Typically, the expected life span of a car battery is 4 to 5 years. So your battery may start losing its strength to hold a charge when it gets old.
When the battery is 4 or 5 years old, the cells will automatically start weakening on a daily basis.
Check the age of your car battery to determine if it has outlived its usefulness and needs to be replaced. Your car battery won’t hold a charge if it’s old.
3. Parasitic Drain
Oftentimes, the parasitic drain can cause your car battery to drain faster or not even hold a charge.
A parasitic drain is when some electrical components or devices,( like the dome light) of your car, remain powered up even after the ignition key is turned off.
4. Faulty Charger
Your car battery charger could be the source of your car battery’s inability to hold a charge or the cause of a dead car battery.
Sometimes a manufacturing flaw or a straightforward environmental factor can be the cause of the bad charger.
If, after checking, other things are fine, that could be the battery charger’s fault. Replace the charger and see if the battery will hold a charge.
5. Battery Terminal Corrosion
If the terminals of your battery are corroded, it may prevent the battery from holding a charge. So inspect the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion.
If you find any, call your mechanic to help you clean it thoroughly, or better yet, do it yourself. If you can
Conclusion
Your car battery won’t hold a charge, which is one of the major problems that car owners face when their battery begins to age.
So, if this happens to you, don’t be discouraged; it’s a common occurrence that can be easily remedied.
That is why I wrote this guide to show you How To Fix A Car Battery That Doesn’t Hold Charge without breaking a sweat.
