What are the symptoms and causes of a dead car battery? Thorough explanation of how to deal with it! | Full of information on vehicle inspections and repairs Goonet Pit

Engine related repair and maintenance [2021.02.10 UP]

What are the symptoms and causes of a dead battery in a car? Thorough explanation of how to deal with it!

SHARE

Batteries play an important role in securing power for your car. In the past, we often heard the phrase "drained battery", but in recent years, the performance of batteries and the power saving of cars themselves have progressed, and it is also true that we do not hear it as much as before. However, even in recent cars, the battery may die depending on the conditions. Here, we will thoroughly explain the causes of battery drain and how to deal with it so that you can deal with sudden battery drain without rushing.

What are the symptoms of a "dead battery" in the first place? The part that supplies electricity to the A dead battery refers to a symptom in which the electricity stored in the battery decreases for some reason and the engine cannot be started. In order to start the engine, it is necessary to move a part called a cell motor with electricity from the battery. It can be said that "the battery is dead = there is not enough electricity to run the starter", so we have to take some measures to supply electricity to the starter.

The typical symptom of a dead battery is that the cell does not turn and the engine does not start, but there are other symptoms. Simply put, it is a symptom that electrical equipment stops working. For example, you may experience the following symptoms:・The power window does not work ・The meters do not shine ・The headlights and blinkers do not light up

What causes the battery to die?

There are two causes of battery exhaustion: battery self-discharge and lifespan or failure. Most of them are caused by "natural discharge". It is often thought that the battery is not used when the car is not driven, but the battery always supplies weak electricity to the computer, security system, etc. Also, many people don't know, but the battery will discharge little by little without doing anything. Therefore, depending on the size of the battery and the electrical equipment installed in the car, even if you do not drive the car for about a month, the battery may die. There are other factors that can cause a battery to die, other than self-discharge. For example:・The headlights were left on without starting the engine. ・The air conditioner was activated without starting the engine. ・The interior lights were not turned off with the door ajar without starting the engine. ・The battery deteriorated over time. The battery is weak in cold climates (because the performance of the battery decreases in cold weather), or the alternator or regulator (generator) malfunctions.

Actually, the battery is not dead! ? About similar symptoms

There are also symptoms similar to the dead battery, and there are cases where the battery is not actually dead. Depending on the cause, there are things that can be solved immediately, so first check if the following things are happening.

Symptoms similar to a dead battery are caused by failure of the starter motor. A dead battery means that the battery does not have enough electricity to drive the starter motor, but this symptom occurs due to the failure of the starter motor, not the battery. In this case, the battery is not dead, so you can tell it by the fact that the electrical components in the car work without problems.

If there is no fuel gasoline, the engine will not start. Use a road service such as JAF, or rent a gas can at a nearby gas station and fill up with gasoline.

The symptoms are similar to running out of gas, but the engine will not start without a proper supply of gasoline. "The cell turns and there is fuel, but the engine won't start..." If so, this symptom is suspect.

Although this is only for AT vehicles, passenger vehicles are designed so that the engine cannot be started unless the shift lever is in the parking position. Therefore, make sure the shift lever is in the park position when starting the engine.

If there is no reaction when you try to start the engine and you cannot turn the steering wheel left or right, the "steering lock" may have been activated. To unlock, set the engine key or engine start switch to the accessory (ACC) state and turn the steering wheel left or right. After unlocking, try to start the engine as usual.

What to do when the battery dies

Then, what should you do when the battery dies? If the cause of the dead battery was a human error, such as forgetting to turn off the headlights, and the battery is still new, there is a high possibility that the battery does not need to be replaced. While self-propelled, the battery will be recharged and revived. If the battery is old and nearing the end of its life, go to a dealer or car shop and replace the battery. If the underlying cause is the deterioration of the battery, replacing the battery is an appropriate remedy, but there may be cases where you need to take emergency measures while on the go. In such a case, please try to restore by the following method.

If you have friends or acquaintances nearby, you can borrow electricity from the battery of another rescue car to start the engine of the car with the dead battery. However, you will need a pair (black and red) of booster cables to connect the battery to the battery. If you connect the cables in the wrong order or method, the battery may short circuit, or in the worst case, the battery may explode. Therefore, only do this if someone knows how to connect properly. By the way, if the battery of the car with the dead battery is 12V, the rescue side must also be 12V.

Even if you don't borrow electricity from other cars, you can use the jump starter to start the engine. I think that jump starters are easy to understand if you imagine a large mobile battery. Instead of the rescue vehicle mentioned above, the jump starter power is used to turn the cells. There are many different types of jump starters.・Lithium ion battery type ・Lithium polymer battery type ・Lithium manganese battery type ・Lead battery type However, each has its own characteristics, and there are differences in size, price, power capacity, etc. Please be aware that if you make a purchase based on price, the engine may not start due to insufficient power supply.

If you don't have any friends or acquaintances nearby who can rush to help you, you can call a roadside assistance service such as JAF. In the case of JAF, members can receive road service for free, so be sure to check if you are a member.

Procedure to connect the rescue vehicle and the cable

The order and method of connecting the cables are as follows. 1. Plus (red) of the car with dead battery 2. Plus (red) of the rescue car 3. Minus (black) of the rescue car 4. Minus of the car with dead battery (ground: metal part of the engine, not the battery terminal) ) After connecting in the above order, start the engine of the rescue vehicle and step on the accelerator slightly to increase the engine speed. Next, start the engine of the car with dead battery. Once the engine starts, remove the booster cables in reverse order. If you're having trouble remembering the order in which you connect the cables to the battery, remember to "connect positive first, disconnect negative first."

How to use the jump starter

As mentioned above, the jump starter allows you to start the engine on its own without connecting the battery of the rescue vehicle. There is also a size that fits in a bag or trunk, and it is a highly practical and convenient item that will come in handy in case of emergency. In addition to the purpose of starting a car engine, there is also a type that can supply power to smartphones and tablets, which is recommended.

First, check your jump starter's battery level to make sure it has enough capacity to start the engine (consult your jump starter's manual to determine how much capacity you need) ). After confirming the capacity, let's use it in the following procedure. 1. Connect the positive clamp (red) from the jump starter to the positive terminal. 2. Connect the negative clamp (black) to the negative terminal. 3.Turn the cell and start the engine. 4. When disconnecting, disconnect the cables in the reverse order of connection. Just like when connecting the cable to the rescue vehicle, be sure to follow the procedure "When connecting, start with the positive, when disconnecting, start with the negative."

Depending on the displacement and compression ratio of the engine, it may not be possible to supply sufficient power due to insufficient capacity. Of course, the remaining amount of the battery is also important, but let's check if the battery has the specs to start the engine of your car in the first place. Also, starting the engine requires a large amount of electric power. Therefore, while looking at the instruction manual of each jump starter, please follow the cranking time set for each time. Even if it does not start at the first time, please follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the cranking interval and the maximum number of seconds you can crank.

How to replace the battery

The above is only a temporary measure, and if the battery has reached the end of its life, it must be replaced. In that case, we will introduce the specific procedure below so that you can replace the battery yourself.

Batteries vary in capacity, case size, and terminal position. Be sure to replace it with the same type specified for your vehicle. If you buy something with a different format just because it is cheap, it may not only be impossible to install, but it may also cause a vehicle fire. The battery fluid inside the battery is dilute sulfuric acid. If it gets into your eyes, it can cause blindness, burns, and damage to your clothes, so be careful when handling it. Also, if the battery is short-circuited, it may catch fire or explode.

Prepare the following tools to replace the battery, and be careful not to get the battery fluid on your hands or in your eyes.・Rubber gloves ・Protective glasses ・Spanner (to remove the terminal)

Touch the metal body to release the static electricity before starting work. 1. Stop the engine and remove the key. 2. Remove the terminal cover if it is attached. 3. Remove the negative cable terminal. 4. Remove the positive cable terminal. 5. Remove the mounting bracket that secures the battery. 6. Remove the battery from the base. At this time, if the cable terminal is dirty or white powder is blowing, clean it with a wire brush.

When installing, work in the following order. Basically, the procedure is the reverse of removal. 1. Place the new battery on the pedestal and fix it with the mounting bracket. 2. Attach the positive cable terminal to the positive terminal of the battery and secure it firmly. 3. Attach the negative cable terminal to the negative terminal of the battery and secure it. If possible, apply rust-preventing grease to the terminals. 4. Reinstall the terminal cover, if any.

During battery replacement, disconnecting the connector may erase data in the vehicle electronics memory. By using a backup power supply, you can save and protect your data, so if you are worried about it, we recommend that you purchase it.

Batteries contain toxic and dangerous dilute sulfuric acid and lead, and disposal of waste batteries as general waste is strictly prohibited by law. Please consult with the place where you purchased the battery, such as a gas station or a car shop, to see if it can be disposed of, and dispose of it properly. If you feel a little uneasy about the work, or if you feel that the disposal of the battery is troublesome, it is safe to leave everything to the professionals. Goonet Pit covers repair shops nationwide. We handle everything from battery replacement to daily maintenance. https://www.goo-net.com/pit/

Summary

Even if you just say "battery dead", you may find it difficult to judge because there are multiple similar symptoms and causes. In that case, it is safe to use a road service such as JAF. Also, batteries can be very dangerous if mishandled. If you are unsure, do not force yourself to replace it, and ask knowledgeable staff such as dealers and car shops to repair it. If you are looking for a repair shop near you, please use Goonet Pit. https://www.goo-net.com/pit/

Writer profile

A group of professionals related to automobile maintenance that produces maintenance articles such as vehicle inspections and inspections, oil changes, repairs, painting, sheet metal, and bringing in and installing parts. I would like to help people who are having trouble with how to maintain their favorite cars.

We are a professional group of automobile maintenance that produces maintenance articles such as vehicle inspections and inspections, oil changes, repairs, painting, sheet metal, and bringing in and installing parts. I would like to help people who are having trouble with how to maintain their favorite cars.

SHARE

SHARE

Back to list