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Car Battery Problems and Solutions

Info_lover | Jun 16, 2010 |

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Most car owners will surely encounter some car battery problems from time to time. When you are dealing with these battery problems in car, you have to make sure you make safety as your top priority. Also, you should take the time to read the owner's manual and instructions when you handle car battery chargers and accessories.

Corrosion on the Terminals

This is a common battery problem and it is normal to have some corrosion on the battery terminals especially if you have an older battery or an older car model. If you are experiencing difficulties with starting the car and you happen to see corrosion, then this could be a sign of a battery leak.

It's pretty easy to remove any corrosion on the battery terminals. You can begin by putting on some rubber or solid nylon gloves. You can risk having serious skin burns if the dried material from the battery comes into contact with your skin. Also, you have to wear safety goggles. When you are properly suited up, you can proceed to unplug the negative cable first, followed by the positive cable. Mix a solution of one cup of water and one tablespoon of baking soda. You can scrub the cables and terminals by using a nylon bristle brush. Dip the nylon brush into clean water to rinse and scrub the terminals and cables again, using clean water. When the battery terminals have dried completely, you can apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the battery terminals using a piece of cotton swab. Carefully reattach the cables, first positive, then negative.

Leaky Car Battery

It is a must for you to check your car battery once every few months for cracks or deformations, especially if you have a tendency to park your car outside and the outdoor temperature has dipped below freezing point. Extreme cold can cause your battery to freeze, crack and eventually leak. This will result in car battery charging problems. You can look for cracks or bulges of the battery case. If you happen to see any obvious cracks or leaking, then you will have to get a new battery. Never attempt to charge a frozen or cracked battery, as the rapid temperature change can cause it to explode.

Battery Losing Its Charge

The following signs could mean that your battery is losing its charge:

Dim headlights
Dim dashboard lights
Sluggish ignition
Weak flow from air conditioner or heater

If you notice some of these problems with car battery when you first start the engine of your car, there is a good chance that a weak battery is at the heart of the problems. If you happen to encounter these problems while you are on the road, this could be mean that there is a problem with the alternator. In either case, you will have to service your car immediately. A damaged car alternator can quickly drain your battery, leaving you with two faulty car parts to replace. A weak battery is likely to fail at any time and more likely to freeze on cold days.

Basic Car Battery Maintenance Suggestions

Check the Fluid Level: If you have a maintenance-free battery, all you have to do is to watch the indicator light to see when you need a new battery. If you have a normal car battery, you can use distilled water to fill the battery cells.
Make Sure the Battery is Secure: You have to ensure that the battery is securely fastened to the mounting bracket. This will prevent the battery from being shifted around and getting damaged while you are driving the car.
Test the charge regularly: It is always a good idea to check the charge on your battery every 40,000 miles, as well as each spring if you stay in an area/region with sub-zero temperatures during winter times.

I hope this article has come in handy for you in your quest to resolve any possible car battery problems.