It’s been a frustrating day – you get in your car and try to start it, but nothing happens. After several tries, you give up and go home. The next morning, the same thing happens. You take the car to the mechanic and they say that the battery is fried. You’re out of a car and have to find a new one.
Diagnosing a Car Battery Problem
If your car won’t start, chances are you’ll need to diagnose the battery problem first. When a battery dies, it can cause a whole host of problems with your car’s electrical system. Here are five common causes of car battery problems and how to fix them.
Testing a Car Battery
If your car won’t start, you might be testing your battery. A battery tests as follows: You put a voltmeter in the post and try to start the car. If you push the starter button and nothing happens, the voltage should be zero or less when you test the battery. If it’s more than 12 volts, the battery is probably dead and needs to be replaced.
Charging a Car Battery
One common issue with car batteries is that they will not start the car. This can be due to a number of reasons, but often the battery is not charging properly. There are a few things you can do to try and get your car started if your battery won’t start.
One common cause of a battery not charging is bad connections. Make sure all of the cables are plugged in securely and make sure there are no dirt or debris between the cables and the battery. If your car has a jump starter, make sure the cable is plugged into the correct connector on the back of the car.
If you still cannot get your car started, it may be necessary to have a professional inspect the battery and make any necessary repairs.
Fixing a Dead or Dying Car Battery
If your car won’t start, the battery might be the problem. Here’s how to check and fix a dead or dying car battery:
1) Remove the key from the ignition. If your car has a manual transmission, Shift into Park.
2) Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery by removing the cable clamp. Make sure you have a charged battery nearby in case you have to replace the battery later on.
3) Remove the positive terminal by unscrewing it from the battery post. You can also remove it by pulling it straight out of its socket. Again, make sure you have a charged battery nearby in case you have to replace it later on.
4) Check for corrosion on both posts and clamps. If there is corrosion, smear some clean engine oil around each post and clamp before re-installation.
5) Reinstall the positive terminal first, then screw in the cable clamp. When installing the negative terminal, orient it so that the arrow on the terminal points down into the hole in the post. Be sure not to twist or kink the cable when installing it.
6) Start your car and check for power at both terminals.
Replacing a Car Battery
If your car doesn’t start, there is a good chance the battery is the problem. Car batteries typically last anywhere from 3 to 6 years, so it’s important to replace them when they start to show signs of needing to be replaced.
Here are a few things you can do to check if your battery is causing your car not to start:
– Make sure all the cables are connected securely. Car batteries produce a small amount of electricity even when the car isn’t running. If one of the cables has come loose, it can cause the battery to lose power and your car won’t start.
– Try turning off all the lights in the car and then turning them back on one at a time. If your car starts right away, your battery may be faulty. If it takes several minutes for the car to start after turning on all the lights, your battery may need to be replaced.
– Make sure there is gas in the tank. When you’re trying to start your car in cold weather, the gas in the tank may not be warm enough and your car may not start.
Conclusion
There are a few things you can do to try and fix your car’s starting problem. If your car won’t start even after you have tried all of the tips below, it might be time to take it into a mechanic for a diagnosis. Here are some common causes of car not starting, and the solutions that might work for them: