How to Identify a Faulty Car Battery

The car battery plays a hugely important role in keeping your car working, so it is important that you know how to identify a faulty car battery so that you can take action. There are many reasons why a car battery might fail, including low charge, acid stratification, extreme weather and bad alternators just as a few examples. If you have a problem with your car battery, it is important to get replacement car batteries as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to your engine.

Backfiring

One of the most common signs that your car battery is failing is backfiring. Backfiring occurs when the air-fuel mixture combusts outside of the engine’s cylinders, which can not only cause a loud bang but also cause damage to the car. This can be a sign of a battery problem as it often means that your engine isn’t making as much power as it should be.

Dim Headlights

Another clear sign that you are experiencing battery issues is if your headlights are dimmer than normal. This is because a faulty battery can kill the electrical components in your car, which could impact the ability of your headlights. Obviously, this is a serious risk when driving (especially during winter).

Having to Regularly Jumpstart Your Car

Jumpstarting the car is an extreme measure and not one that you want to have to do regularly because it can exacerbate already prominent issues. It can be a great short-term solution if you ever find yourself with a flat battery on the side of the road, though, and it is easy enough to do with jump leads and another working car engine. You want to position the two cars facing each other with the bonnets open and then attach the positive lead to the positive terminals of the working car battery and the flat battery. Attach the negative cable to the negative terminal of the charged battery and clip the clamp onto metal away from the fuel system (many cars have an “earthing rod”). Wait 5 minutes and then start the working car’s engine. Let it run for a minute before trying to start the car with the flat battery.

Clicking Sound

If you notice a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, then this could indicate a battery issue. When you turn the key, the battery will send a current to an electrical component, but when this current is too weak it will result in a clicking noise.

Hopefully, this post will be useful and help you to spot battery issues.