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Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery - Car Talk - Nairaland

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Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by obafemee80(m): 1:21am On May 13, 2017
There is no sensation quite like that sinking feeling you get when you put your key into your vehicle’s ignition, turn it, and nothing happens. You try it once, try it again, try it a third time, and then it hits you: your battery is dead. Indeed, it is one of the worst feelings in the world. This situation can be avoided. Just keep your eyes and ears open for the following warning signs.

Six Car Battery Warning Signs:

1. Slow Engine Crank
It takes a lot of power to get your car started, and all that power is produced solely by the battery. Once the car is started, the alternator keeps the car battery going by replacing the power used to start the engine and run your vehicle’s electronic accessories. When you put the key in your car’s ignition and turn it, the battery alone starts the engine. So if the battery is on its last legs, you may notice that the engine cranks more slowly than usual. It’s important that you pick up on that warning sign, as often, you’ll only get one shot at a slow start before the engine refuses to crank again. If the engine does not crank at all, the vehicle will often just make a rapid clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. Have the battery tested at once and replaced if needed. 

2. Issues with electrical components
In addition to powering the engine, the car battery also needs to produce enough juice to run all the various electronic components in your vehicle. In most modern cars, there are many electronic accessories including power windows, power seats, radio, windshield wipers, dashboard lights, headlights and more. All of which require electricity supplied from your vehicle’s battery. 

3. Dashboard Warning Light
Most cars have a dashboard warning light, usually in the shape of a battery. This will illuminate if the battery is not being replenished properly or if there is an internal problem with the battery. Similar to the Check Engine light, the battery warning light might also mean that something is wrong with the alternator or some other part of the electrical system. If the light comes on, the best course of action would be to have your vehicle’s electrical system inspected by a certified professional to determine what exactly the problem is. 

4. Swollen Battery Case
A car battery is basically a chemical reaction contained in a box. As with any chemical reaction, sometimes things can go wrong. When a car battery is exposed to excessive amounts of heat or cold, the flat sides of the battery case may swell or bulge. If for example the battery sits in a vehicle that is not driven for some time in the winter, the battery will discharge and may freeze. Freezing and swelling from excess heat often result in an electrically "dead" battery that cannot be recovered and will require replacement. 

5. Old Age
On average, a car battery lasts about four to five years. This average lifespan will fluctuate depending on extreme temperature exposure, number of deep discharges and whether or not it goes through full charge cycles. That being said, five years is how much life most batteries have so once you hit the 4-year mark, it might not be a bad idea to get it tested by a professional to see how much life it has left. If you are not sure how old the battery is, you should be able to find the manufacture date on the battery case. 

6. Weird Smell
hen a battery has been frozen, overcharged or is shorted internally its case may vent gas. This venting often smells like rotten eggs. If you happen to detect a rotten egg scent under the hood of your vehicle, have your battery inspected as soon as possible because in addition to possibly needing a replacement battery, the sulfuric acid can eat away at other engine parts, causing corrosion, which is something you want to avoid at all costs.

https://www.pepboys.com/car_care_corner/car_care_basics/maintenance/signs_of_a_failing_battery/

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Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by GAZZUZZ(m): 1:37am On May 13, 2017

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Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by diportivo: 6:39am On May 13, 2017
GAZZUZZ:
how a nigerian feels when their battery dies cheesy

www.nairaland.com/attachments/5283971_20170509190536_jpeg3ad4696347cb16c42b0f8bf9a324bec8

battery don turn gold

2 Likes

Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by Lokoyen(m): 7:05am On May 13, 2017
Its gold now
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by crusufixo(m): 7:08am On May 13, 2017
No be small thing !!!..... I am presently in that category as the battery of my car was recently confirmed dead.......
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by Electroweb(m): 7:10am On May 13, 2017
I bought a battery recently and was told that my alternator is overcharging my battery. Is this possible? If yes what are the signs to watch out for?
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by adaksbullet: 7:11am On May 13, 2017
undecided undecidedim use sola power moto undecided undecided
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by adaksbullet: 7:13am On May 13, 2017
Electroweb:
I bought a battery refently and was told that my alternator is overcharging my battery. Is this possible? If yes what are the signs to watch out for?
low tire

Break failior

Power stiring failior

Etc cheesy grin grin grin
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by isbish(m): 7:31am On May 13, 2017
Sadly, I just felt like you are directly talking to me.

Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by coalcoal1(m): 7:31am On May 13, 2017
OK
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by bukitt: 7:48am On May 13, 2017
Electroweb:
I bought a battery recently and was told that my alternator is overcharging my battery. Is this possible? If yes what are the signs to watch out for?

That battery is bad bro, same thing happened to my benz.
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by diportivo: 8:05am On May 13, 2017
adaksbullet:
low tire

Break failior

Power stiring failior

Etc cheesy grin grin grin

shocked

Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by lonelydora: 8:32am On May 13, 2017
diportivo:


battery don turn gold


25k no bi beans
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by eluquenson(m): 9:03am On May 13, 2017
Battery is now costlier than what we thought.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by dominique(f): 10:17am On May 13, 2017
That's what I'm currently facing at the moment choi! embarassed cry
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by Alanguru: 10:22am On May 13, 2017
Na my mechanic bail me out o. I borrowed a battery from him and dats been sustaining me. Sadly though good things don't last. He don signify im intention to collect am back month end. I don dey hustle cheese.
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by miqos02(m): 11:20am On May 13, 2017
cool
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by StanleySavis: 12:55pm On May 13, 2017
It's funny and sad at the same time..
I will even do my thesis about Nigerian batteries grin grin
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by wiloy2k8(m): 5:09pm On May 13, 2017
i have battery for sale . 15k
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by buddyosan: 8:54pm On May 13, 2017
I nearly fainted today when they told me in a battery shop in Ikeja that Diamond is 27k last price.The last time i bought it was 12k.I can't afford to park my car for another two days.Battery no be moi moi these days o
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by 3kay945(m): 9:34pm On May 13, 2017
And me have the gut to keep my spare battery for months without charging it. undecided
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by 3kay945(m): 9:36pm On May 13, 2017
buddyosan:
I nearly fainted today when they told me in a battery shop in Ikeja that Diamond is 27k last price.The last time i bought it was 12k.I can't afford to park my car for another two days.Battery no be moi moi these days o

One mechanic told me Diamond battery isn't good.
Re: Six Signs Of A Failing Car Battery by chikenicholas(m): 11:19am On Jun 02, 2017
Where are you at?

Drop your number lemme call you
wiloy2k8:
i have battery for sale . 15k

(1) (Reply)

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