Imagine this: You try starting your car but the engine doesn’t turn on. What could have gone wrong? Most probably your car’s battery has drained. A drained battery fails to generate adequate voltage to turn the engine. From damaged battery terminals to malfunctioning electrical system, there could be several reasons for a battery failing to work properly. Car owners leaving the headlights on is one of the most common and basic problem that leads to a dysfunctional car battery. In the post we have discussed, five common reasons that drain car’s battery quicker than usual.
Errors Made by Car Owners
To err is human and many people actually do it with their cars. Many car owners or driver forget to turn the car’s headlights off. Mostly it goes like this. You are home after work, tired and leave the headlights on or didn’t close the trunk completely. Next morning the car does not start since overnight the battery got drained. Many new cars have an alert system in place which let you know if you’ve left the lights on. If your car does not have such a system, you need to be careful about not leaving the lights on.
Parasitic Battery Drain
There are some components in every vehicle which continue to draw power even after turning off the engine. Some parasitic drain is normal since the battery keeps providing adequate energy to the clock, security alarm, and radio presets. If your car has any electrical problem, get it checked since it could be one of the reasons the battery gets discharged too soon. That said, if you are planning to buy a vehicle at an auto salvage auction, make sure to check car’s battery.
Malfunctioning Alternator Diode
The car alternator in cars recharge the battery and provides power to many electrical systems. If the alternator has got a bad diode, it can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is off. Consequently, what you see in the morning is the car that refuses to start. So, get the car alternator examined and replaced it, if faulty. When buying a car at public car auctions, before finalizing any car, seek assistance of a mechanic to check the alternator so that you don’t end up spending money on a bad alternator, after the purchase.
Ageing Battery
Old batteries are not capable of holding a full charge. If your car is facing the problem when turning on the ignition, it’s possible that the battery has worn out and needs replacement. The car battery must be replaced every 4 to 5 years. So, if your car does not start and the battery is also quite old, it is likely that you may have to replace the battery.
Bad Charging System
If your car’s charging system is malfunctioning, the battery can get drained even while you are driving. Many cars get the power from the alternator to use the lights, radio, and other electrical systems. Any problem in the charging system can cause the alternator to overcharge and continue draining the battery. If you are looking for a salvage car at an online public car auction, it is advisable to ask a professional mechanic to assess the charging system.
Wrapping Up
Nobody wants to get stuck with a stalled car parked in the garage, when you are already running late for work. A battery that won't hold the charge for long or drains too fast is frustrating. It’s not easy to figure out what's causing the problem. Out of many other possibilities, it is likely that your car’s battery is drained. Hope this post helps you maintain your car’s battery. It is, advisable to get your car’s battery checked every alternate month. If you have more reasons that lead to draining of a car’s battery, feel free to share in the comments.
Errors Made by Car Owners
To err is human and many people actually do it with their cars. Many car owners or driver forget to turn the car’s headlights off. Mostly it goes like this. You are home after work, tired and leave the headlights on or didn’t close the trunk completely. Next morning the car does not start since overnight the battery got drained. Many new cars have an alert system in place which let you know if you’ve left the lights on. If your car does not have such a system, you need to be careful about not leaving the lights on.
Parasitic Battery Drain
There are some components in every vehicle which continue to draw power even after turning off the engine. Some parasitic drain is normal since the battery keeps providing adequate energy to the clock, security alarm, and radio presets. If your car has any electrical problem, get it checked since it could be one of the reasons the battery gets discharged too soon. That said, if you are planning to buy a vehicle at an auto salvage auction, make sure to check car’s battery.
Malfunctioning Alternator Diode
The car alternator in cars recharge the battery and provides power to many electrical systems. If the alternator has got a bad diode, it can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is off. Consequently, what you see in the morning is the car that refuses to start. So, get the car alternator examined and replaced it, if faulty. When buying a car at public car auctions, before finalizing any car, seek assistance of a mechanic to check the alternator so that you don’t end up spending money on a bad alternator, after the purchase.
Ageing Battery
Old batteries are not capable of holding a full charge. If your car is facing the problem when turning on the ignition, it’s possible that the battery has worn out and needs replacement. The car battery must be replaced every 4 to 5 years. So, if your car does not start and the battery is also quite old, it is likely that you may have to replace the battery.
Bad Charging System
If your car’s charging system is malfunctioning, the battery can get drained even while you are driving. Many cars get the power from the alternator to use the lights, radio, and other electrical systems. Any problem in the charging system can cause the alternator to overcharge and continue draining the battery. If you are looking for a salvage car at an online public car auction, it is advisable to ask a professional mechanic to assess the charging system.
Wrapping Up
Nobody wants to get stuck with a stalled car parked in the garage, when you are already running late for work. A battery that won't hold the charge for long or drains too fast is frustrating. It’s not easy to figure out what's causing the problem. Out of many other possibilities, it is likely that your car’s battery is drained. Hope this post helps you maintain your car’s battery. It is, advisable to get your car’s battery checked every alternate month. If you have more reasons that lead to draining of a car’s battery, feel free to share in the comments.
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