4 common car battery problems you might face someday

You can consider car batteries as one of the most volatile car components. It can get damaged pretty easily. Plus, they have a short shelf life, and it can be shorter because of corrosion, faulty connections, and disuse.

However, if you’re not sure what’s the problem, you can refer to this article from Philkotse.com and read some of the most common battery issues, which can be causing the car's starting problems.

Different types of car battery problems

1. Faulty connections

Car batteries have two posts or ports - the positive and negative charge posts. Cables that run from the battery to the starter are attached to each port.

There will be times when the bolts or screws connecting the wires to the ports become loose, causing the connection to break.

There will be times when the bolts or screws connecting the wires to the ports become loose

If this occurs, your vehicle won’t be able to start. No power will be supplied from the batter to the starter; thus, your vehicle will be completely dead.

If you’re attempting to start the car and nothing’s happening, then you might want to check the battery connections. This issue can also mean solenoid problems.

>>> Maybe you want to know: Do you think you know all different types of a car battery?

2. Corrosion

Another common thing that causes terrible battery connections is corrosion. The two ports we’ve mentioned earlier can develop loose or corroded connections.

If the ports of the car battery are corroded, the connection between the battery and the starter will consistently become weaker.

Another common thing that causes terrible battery connections is corrosion

With the presence of corrosion, there will be less metal to metal connection. Thus it will become more difficult to transfer power from the battery to the car's starter. 

If you’re experiencing battery issues, consider checking the battery ports and inspect if it’s corroded. If you see any signs of corrosion, you might be tempted to clean them. But you need to know that there’s a proper way of cleaning battery ports.

3. Disuse

If you’re not using your car for a long while and it was left idle in your garage, let’s say two weeks or more, then most probably, the battery of your car has lost its power. It can no longer provide power to start the engine.

After the battery provides power to start the vehicle, the alternator will then take over. It will be the one to give power to the car’s electrical systems.

>>> Read more: Your car's electrical system and what you need to know when it shuts down

If you’re not using your car for a long while, the battery of your car has lost its power

It also recharges the battery. As long as you regularly use your vehicle, then the battery will be continuously recharged and will always be ready anytime you want to use it.

But if you rarely use your car or often stuck it in the garage, it will cause your battery to drain slowly. Soon, it won’t have the right amount of juice to provide the required voltage to the starter.

4. Problems with the alternator

Alternator problems can also be the reason why you have battery problems. If the alternator of your car is faulty or malfunctioning, it will no longer charge the battery. You might be able to start the car, drive it for a while, but your car will eventually die.

If that happens, the battery won’t have the power to restart your car, and you'll be stuck. As aforementioned, the alternator is responsible for powering all the electrical systems of the vehicle once it is started.

Alternator problems can also be the reason why you have battery problems

The alternator is also the one that recharges the battery once the car is working. If you already have a malfunctioning alternator, it will not only recharge the battery fully. It can also cause your car to stop working while driving it.

It is because your car is not generating the needed spark or other things required to run the vehicle properly.

>>> For your information: 

• This is how you can check if your car's alternator is failing
• 5 simple steps to get your car alternator checked in a proper way

How to prevent car battery problems

The battery of your vehicle is something you should always keep in mind in terms of car maintenance. They are pretty the same as tires.

Although you can purchase cheap tires and use them for a while. Sooner or later, you will be back in the shop to get new ones because the ones you bought earlier are already worn out.

The battery of your vehicle is something you should always keep in mind in terms of car maintenance

Remember that it’s fine to spend extra money for car components like a battery because no car owner wants to experience car battery problems.

Plus, it will be so much hassle to get stuck in the middle of traffic or on the road while you're in a hurry or on a long trip. So, it's worth it to spend more on quality car batteries to ensure excellent battery performance.

>>> Have you known 7 factors that affect your car's battery life expectancy?

Remember that it’s fine to spend extra money for car components like a battery

It would be best if you also remembered to check and maintain your car's battery regularly.  Here are some tips to ensure that car batteries are in good condition.

• Make it a habit to clean the battery cables. This will prevent corrosion buildup.
• Check the electrolyte levels of the car battery. Add water to fill holes if needed.  It’s advisable to use clean, distilled water. Remember not to overfill the cells
• Regularly check the charge and condition of the battery. You can check the electrolyte of the battery cells using a hydrometer.
• Limit quick and short rides because it prevents the battery from fully charging.

Regularly check the charge and condition of the battery

• Make sure the car battery is fastened securely because if not, it could vibrate and may potentially result in short circuits and internal damage.
• Turn off all the car lights when you leave the car. If you forget to turn off the car door lights and the headlights, it can put a heavy toll on your car battery.
• Take care of the whole car. Note that all the components of your vehicle work together to run the vehicle. So, it would be best if you made sure all the parts are in good condition. So, don't skip any routine checkups.