We rely on our cars and trucks extensively in the modern world, and the most frustrating thing is getting up to go to work, school, or to drop the kids off somewhere only to find that the engine doesn’t start. With a sigh, you call a neighbor or friend for a jump. It’s all good now, but it happens again, and again, and again.
It sounds like a battery problem, but is it? While it’s tempting to rush out and get a new battery, bear in mind that there are plenty of reasons your battery might be dying that have nothing to do with a failing battery.
Luckily, it’s easy to find out if it’s the battery or another problem.
Inspect the Battery Itself
When you open the hood, you’ll easily see the battery and the red and black wires attached to it. Make sure they aren’t loose or corroded, first of all. Corrosion will look like white, blue, or green flakes all over the connections.
If the wires seem loose or corroded, just secure the connection and clean away all corrosion with baking soda and a toothbrush. It could be that the problem is a simple fix.
Check the Lights
Any lights left on can drain your vehicle’s battery. Even not properly shutting a door can cause a light to remain on, so after parking your vehicle, make sure all the lights turn off. Some lights will stay on for a bit after turning off the vehicle, so don’t panic if they don’t turn off right away.
Some vehicles also have lights in the glove box and trunk, so if your car or truck has these, feel the bulb after having it off for a while to make sure it’s cool to the touch. A warm bulb indicates that it’s been on the entire time.
Use a Multimeter to Check the Voltage
If you have a multimeter, test the battery’s voltage. Do so by placing the black multimeter lead on the negative (black) battery cable and the red lead on the positive (red) battery cable. You want the reading to be 12.45 volts or greater.
If your battery reads low, many mechanics will charge the battery and perform a load test to see if the battery needs replacing. Most mechanics will perform this test for free.
Unplug External Devices
Sometimes the gadgets you install can cause a parasitic drain on the battery. They can demand a lot of energy, and if they don’t shut down correctly when turning the car or truck off, they can continue to pull power from the battery.
Unplug these devices, which can range from GPS units to cellphone chargers or even plug-in baby bottle warmers, and see if that’s the cause of your troubles.
Check the Water Level
Many batteries are unsealed acid batteries. If this is what your vehicle uses, check the acid level and fill the battery with simple distilled water if you have to. Please use caution when removing and replacing the battery caps!
What if Nothing Works?
If nothing seems to work, or if you’re sure it’s just that it’s a bad battery, then it may be time to replace it. It may be wise to check with a mechanic first, however, as a bad alternator or other problem can mimic a bad battery.
