There’s nothing quite as frustrating as climbing into your car, turning the key, and then… nothing. Sometimes there’s the distinct rumble of your engine trying (but failing) to turn on, and other times there’s the woeful click of the key and then complete silence.
Dealing with a dead car battery isn’t fun, and it’s often challenging to pinpoint what exactly is wrong with it. So how do you find the cause? Better yet, how do you fix it? Is it worth replacing or is it better to start looking into other car options?
Let’s find out together.
The Signs of a Dead Car Battery
There are a handful of telltale signs that your car’s battery is on its way out, if it hasn’t failed already. You need to replace a car battery every 3-5 years or so, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility that your battery is just old. If it’s struggling to turn on when the weather is freezing, or even boiling, then it may just be aging rapidly.
However, if you’ve found your battery goes unexpectedly flat, there could be a simple culprit. Take a look around and check if you’ve left any lights on. This is easily one of the most common causes, aside from old age, of a dead battery.
There are a few important things to keep an eye out for. First, if you notice the engine is cranking slower than usual, or you have trouble starting your car, the battery may be the culprit. Second, you may find you’re losing electrical power in your car.
Remember, the battery doesn’t only power your engine. It also gives power to things like your windows, heaters, and radio. If they start acting sluggish or stop working altogether, then your battery is likely on its way out.
Finally, you may have a car that will flash a warning sign. This little symbol will look like a battery, and while it can be helpful, it could also show you have a loose starter cable or terminal, a failing alternator, or damaged cabling.
These are some of the other signs of a failing battery:
- No dome light
- Headlights and radio won’t turn on
- Turning the ignition does nothing
- Your car won’t start without a jump
- The starter motor engages, but the engine doesn’t start
What Causes a Dead Battery?
There are plenty of things that can cause a flat battery, and while some are linked to human error, others may come down to the machinery in your car. Sometimes it’s something entirely out of your control, like freezing temperatures. But, for the most part, if you’ve gotten into your vehicle and found the battery dead, it’s likely because of some human error.
Human Error
We define a human error as something that is not deliberate or intentional but still results in something unwanted or undesirable. There are three main types of human error, these being:
- Slips
- Lapses
- Mistakes
You may simply have a lapse of memory, or slip up and forget to turn your lights off, or you could make a mistake and leave something plugged in because you thought it wouldn’t be a problem. Let’s look at some examples of human error when it comes to dead batteries:
- You forgot to remove electricity consumers
- You left a door open or not properly closed
- You forgot to turn off the headlights
- A lack of battery maintenance
Remember, there are instances where something is not your fault, but still contributes to the failure of a car’s battery. The most prominent example of this is if you only ever drive short distances. Plenty of people don’t use their car’s a lot, but the act of driving is what charges the alternator.
If you’re only ever driving short distances, the car will pull more power from the alternator than it has time to make, which can cause the car battery to drain and die entirely.
Mechanical Problems
Sometimes, when there’s a problem with your car or battery, it’s the result of mechanical wear and tear or outright failure. This happens, we know, and it’s frustrating, especially if you take care to ensure you’re doing everything right.
Some of the most common kinds of failures we see come from:
- Loose or corroded cables
- The age of the battery
- A low-charged battery hit with freezing temperatures
- The alternator is failing
Sometimes you’ll be able to fix these up easily on your own, but in most cases, you’ll need an entirely new battery. In other instances, you may need to replace the alternator, which, depending on your car’s age, could be tricky. But how do you tell if it’s the alternator giving you trouble?
The Signs of a Bad Alternator
For the most part, alternator issues are easy to diagnose. In fact, you could be dealing with a faulty alternator if your car:
- Has trouble starting
- Frequently stalls
- Has whining or growling sounds from the engine
- Has dim or overbright headlights
- Has a malfunctioning electrical component (like a window)
- A burning smell
The trouble is that alternator repair can be a time-consuming and expensive job, not because the part is expensive, but because the labor is extensive. It’s not even a job for the faint of heart DIYer since it’s exceptionally fiddly.
The cost for parts like this varies depending on the vehicle, but you may find some cheaper options for around $300, although more expensive cars will set you back at least $1000 for a new alternator. Bear in mind, that’s not including labor, which can be anything from $200 to $600.
What to Do if Your Battery Is Drained
One of the most common causes of a dead car battery is the lights being kept on while the engine is turned off. This will completely drain your battery. If the battery hasn’t entirely discharged, you may be able to plug it into the wall, but if it’s completely flat, then a charger won’t work, since the car won’t be able to hold the power.
This is where you will need to either jump-start your car or replace your battery.
Jump-Starting Your Car
If you’re stuck and need to get moving, you can jump-start your car, but you will need another vehicle around to help out. You will also need jumper cables and a good head about you because it is inherently dangerous dealing with such high voltages.
Before we start, it’s important to note that if your battery appears to be cracked or is leaking anything, DO NOT jump-start your car, as you will be placing yourself in serious danger. Second, don’t hold both ends of the cables and attach them to the battery at the same time, as you’ll get the entire voltage of the battery hitting you directly.
Also, don’t touch any of the metal terminals with other metal parts. Seriously, don’t do it.
With that in mind, let’s look at the steps:
- Park your car nose-to-nose with another car and open the bonnets
- Take the red jump lead (positive) and connect it to the positive terminal on the battery
- Do exactly the same with the black cable, attaching it to the negative node
- Start the rescue car’s engine and leave it to run for about 10 minutes
- While the car is running, attempt to start your car
- If it won’t turn over, leave it for a few more minutes
If you find that after 30 minutes your car is not starting, then you likely have a secondary issue that’s preventing your car from actually starting.
What happens if the battery dies again after you jump-started it? You may find:
- The car wasn’t driven for long enough
- The charging system has a problem
- An electrical system was still on
- The battery is too old
If it’s the case of an old battery, you’ll need to look at replacing it.
Replacing Your Battery
Typically, a standard car battery could cost you anywhere from $50-$120 to replace, though some specialty batteries can cost up to $200. Additionally, there are over 40 different types of batteries available, with different factors that influence the cost.
While you don’t strictly need to know all the details, since you can check what kind of battery your car needs online, it’s important to consult a professional if you are replacing one. You can opt to choose a new battery that comes with an extended warranty, but these will naturally add to the cost.
When It’s Time to Start Fresh
Batteries are just one aspect of a car, and they can sometimes be a symptom of a larger issue. Once a car passes a certain mileage, you’ll find that your alternator has trouble starting up or holding a charge, as well as a host of other mechanical issues.
Though battery issues may seem like a small part of a larger system, and you only need to replace them every few years, investing in a new car could mean more longevity for these kinds of parts. Besides, with more modern cars, the battery systems are smarter and more intuitive.
Plus, modern systems also come with all sorts of warnings and cautions, letting you know when you’re doing something that may give you trouble the next day (like leaving your lights on).
Looking more specifically at batteries and all things associated, though, there are a few signs it may be time to start fresh with your transportation needs.
When the Starter Motor Grinds
Often you’ll find the issue lies not with the battery, but with a faulty starter motor or starter solenoid. You know this is likely the problem if you hear a series of ignition clicks, but there’s no proper start. This sound comes from the starter motor teeth misaligning with the flywheel.
Continuous cranking here can cause expensive and serious damage, and it can be just as expensive to replace parts in older models, so it may be time to upgrade, especially if your car is consistently giving you trouble.
Knowing When to Make a Change
One of the easiest ways to work out if it’s worth replacing your car or not is to consider the cost of your repairs. If the repairs you need to make are going to cost more than a few months of payments on a new vehicle, then you may want to consider buying a new car.
We know it’s not always an easy decision, especially if you’re attached. But unfortunately, with old cars comes a whole slew of problems, and not ones that are solely linked to the battery. If your repairs start to get really expensive, or you’re finding you need to do them every few months, it may be time for a change.
When you are in a position like this, consider your lifestyle and personal needs, and work with a dealer or financier who is well-equipped to get you the best deals possible.
Car Financing, Quicker
We get it, cars become our babies. In many ways, they’re an extension of your personality and lifestyle. But you want that extension to run smoothly and get you where you need to go (hopefully in style). When you’re dealing with a car that no longer feels reliable, you may want to consider financing a new car completely.
What does this mean? Well, for starters, it means no more dealing with a dead car battery every week or having to fork out hundreds for new parts.
If this sounds appealing, motor on over to us and apply today for your approved car financing.