What are the symptoms of car battery failure?
Starting the car is the first step for the car to start working and moving. This task, which seems simple, is the result of the work of several important parts of the car, including the battery. In other words, the battery plays a key role in starting the car. In this article, we are going to talk about the signs of car battery failure so that if you see any of these signs, you should change the battery.
Symptoms of car battery failure
Car battery failure is usually a gradual process that if you pay attention to the health and performance of the car, you will notice its erosion process. In addition, it should be kept in mind that these symptoms do not always indicate the failure of the car battery, and sometimes the poor performance of the car battery is due to problems in other parts of the car. In this way, knowing more about the car battery, we can easily recognize its possible failure.
What do you know about the car battery?
As I mentioned in the previous section, the battery is one of the main parts of the car without which it will not be possible to move and even turn on the car. After the car is turned on, the battery will be responsible for providing the necessary energy to keep the lights on and the audio system working. For this reason, the health of the battery plays a vital role in starting the car or not. The car battery is one of the items that has a certain life, and for this reason, you should pay attention to the date written on the box when buying.
Car batteries are usually offered in two types, sealed (atomic) and acid, and experience has shown that sealed batteries have better performance and longer life, but on the other hand, acid batteries are still used due to their lower cost. There is no liquid material in sealed batteries, and for this reason, there is no possibility of acid evaporation and gas accumulation in the battery. But on the other hand, being dry and solid inside the battery will cause the battery to completely discharge and eventually damage it.
The useful life of car batteries is usually estimated between two and three years. But considering how to maintain the battery, this period can be extended up to 5 years. It should be kept in mind that two types of sealed and acid batteries can perform best in different conditions. It is recommended to keep the car in a covered environment in cold weather and use acid batteries if possible. In contrast, atomic batteries perform very well in hot weather and will last longer if properly cared for and serviced. After this brief explanation about the types of batteries, we will look at some of the signs that indicate the failure of the car battery.
What is the sign of the car not starting?
Based on what was said, the starter is the first step to start the car and the battery is the most important part that plays a role in starting the car. So battery health is an important issue that we should pay attention to. The battery can be charged and keep charged only if it is healthy, which eventually causes the car to start.
According to what we have said, the first impression of all experts is that the starting operation is incomplete and the car does not turn on at the end, it is the battery failure and the need to replace it. In some cases, the sound of starting is not heard and the power behind the amp does not come, which is another sign of car battery failure.
To solve this problem, battery to battery is probably the first solution that comes to the mind of many people, but repeating this method over time will cause damage to the battery and its failure.
In some cases, it has been seen that the car does not start again shortly after being turned off, but when it is turned on and off again, it starts and turns on easily. In addition, in such cases, we see that the car is not able to keep the charge, that is, even if the battery is charged and the car sleeps for a while, it does not start and is not able to turn on.
The last symptom of a car battery failure, which can be understood from the way it starts, is irregular starting of the car, so that one day it starts well and turns on, but the next day, the car does not turn on in any way.
What does an eye on the car battery show?
Contrary to what many people think, the eye or indicator on the battery is not a complex electrical component. This indicator is designed only to measure the battery acid level and can be seen in different modes according to the acid concentration, in white, black (or red) and green colors. Green color indicates sufficient acid concentration, and on the other hand, two black or red colors indicate low electrolyte concentration. But the white color indicates the discharge and failure of the battery, and as the word in front of the white indicator shows the word “Replace”, it is time to replace the battery.
But we must remember that none of these colors indicate the health or failure of the battery. On the other hand, it is possible that the part in the battery is damaged and therefore it does not show the concentration level well. But on the other hand, you should keep in mind that the acid concentration alone cannot tell whether the battery is healthy or not. In this way, it can be said that the change in the color of the indicator from green to other colors indicates a change in the amount of acid.
Is dimming of lights one of the signs of car battery failure?
This is not just a battery problem. Although the battery is the vehicle’s energy source, there are reasons other than the battery for the dimming of the lights while driving. For example, if there is a negative connection, i.e. the body connection is weak, the lights are likely to dim. But if the alternator is damaged, the voltage of the alternator and the battery may drop and thus the lights will dim.
In addition to the two reasons we mentioned, less important reasons such as the lamp bowl being dirty or tar on it, the crackling on the bowl getting old due to sunlight, and finally low-quality lamps can cause the lights to dim.
But sometimes during starting or shortly after turning on the car, you notice shaking or vibrations in the car parts. Sometimes, when you change gears and accelerate, you will notice the lights briefly turning on and off, in this case, it is definitely a problem with the battery.
Is a change in the appearance of the battery a sign of battery failure?
The car battery is designed in the shape of a rectangular cube and has the same angles. In this way, it is not so difficult to detect a change in the appearance of the battery. Any change in the appearance of the battery, including bulges, depressions or changes in the dimensions of the battery, indicate serious damage to the battery and, as a result, its failure. Such changes are usually caused by reasons such as excessive heat or impact, and it is necessary to change the battery if you see such a problem.
When does the battery explode?
Battery explosion is one of the dangerous events that sometimes occur due to factory defects and sometimes due to improper use. In a general view, the most important problem that will lead to an explosion for any primary reason is called “short circuit”. Below are some of the most common reasons for battery explosion.
The first reason that can be considered for battery explosion is battery aging. As the battery ages, and the water in the battery decreases, the appearance of the battery plates changes and it is possible that these plates will collide, which will eventually lead to the battery explosion.
Another reason that is likely to lead to a short circuit and as a result battery explosion is the corrosion of the internal plates of the battery. Sometimes the presence of problems in the fueling process can also provide a short circuit and eventually lead to sparks and explosions.
Overcharging of batteries by chargers is considered among other causes of explosion. During charging, some hydrogen gas is created in the battery, which gradually escapes through the valves. But if the battery is connected to the charger for a long time, a large amount of hydrogen gas will be produced, which will eventually cause the battery to explode. Therefore, it is better to disconnect the charger after completing the battery charge and periodically make sure that the battery valves are open.
Air heat is also among the threatening factors for explosion. Although the opening of the battery valves helps to expel the produced hydrogen, it should be kept in mind that the heat of the air itself is one of the factors of hydrogen production in the battery compartment. However, if there is no source of ignition (such as a spark) around the car, there is no need to worry.
Summary of battery failure symptoms
In this article, we talked about the signs of car battery failure and first, we introduced the types of car batteries, which are atomic (shielded) and acid (non-shielded). Then we stated the common symptoms of battery failure and at the end we mentioned the causes of battery explosion. Remember that buying a high-quality battery, timely service of the battery and finally proper maintenance will help to increase the life of the battery.