How to determine if the battery in a car is dead

How to understand that the battery is running low, and what to do?

One of the most unpleasant events in the life of a motorist is a suddenly dead battery. This is a nuisance that is difficult to predict unless constant checks are carried out. However, a poorly performing battery can be identified by several important signs. But first, let's figure out why it is undesirable to operate a car with a dead battery. Today we will talk about what consequences may arise from this, as well as what to do in extreme and unpleasant situations. You should always take into account the design features of your car to avoid rash actions. Also today we will explore the question of why even in a very good and reliable car it is worth having a basic set of tools that will help avoid problems.

Each manufacturer has specific requirements for the operation of your vehicle's design. We are talking, among other things, about the electrical part of the car, wiring and all the important details of the operation of the vehicle. It must be said that violation of these rules and requirements often leads to very unpleasant consequences. It is worth remembering the most important tasks of maintaining factory settings. And this also applies to the battery. If, under load, the battery drops the starting current level significantly, you will have to come to terms with the need to replace it. However, charging with a special device may not always solve the problem. If the inside of the product is already worn out, the plates are crumbling, the acid is clogged, it’s time to change the battery. The frequency of such replacement for different operating options ranges from two to eight years of service.

What happens to the battery during low-charge operation?

If you do not keep track of when the battery starts to work on a low charge, the battery begins to significantly reduce the starting current during the process of starting the engine or receiving other unpleasant loads in this case. The higher the load, the higher the drawdown. And the higher the probability of breakdown of certain elements of the machine’s electronics becomes. Because instead of 12V, the equipment receives 8V or 7V from a discharged battery. The drawdown should not be below 10V. The processes inside the battery itself do not show anything pleasant:

very rapid decomposition of lead plates, if we are talking about a classic acid battery for your car, contamination of the liquid during the process of decomposition of the material;
a serious change in the properties of the liquid itself, which is caused by the ingress of materials unusual for it into the acid, a change in the conductivity of this material in the battery;
a decrease in the ability to accept a charge, that is, the slow and steady death of the battery due to the extremely low quality of the internal environment, the complete collapse of many elements;
a decrease in the electrolyte level due to its banal evaporation due to changed properties, the constant need to add distilled water or acid;
inadequate response to turning on the charger, lack of the necessary indication due to completely changed properties of all elements of the internal environment.

This can happen with an acid battery if you do not charge it on time. When the battery is already discharged, the destruction process has begun. You should not allow the battery to be deeply discharged in this situation. This is a very unpleasant moment, which simply disables an expensive element of your car. So checking and recharging the battery is simply necessary. Especially if the car is mostly used in the city.

Key indicators of a discharged car battery

There are several indicators that indicate a malfunction of the electrical power supply in your car. Such indicators appear long before the real result of a discharged battery is visible. Learn to pay attention to these moments so as not to constantly find yourself in unpleasant situations. This will help you charge the battery on time and comply with all operating conditions of the car without any problems. So, the indicators could be the following:

inadequate operation of the alarm, too long a reaction after pressing the button on the remote control key fob, poor door opening, jamming of the central locks;
turning off the radio shortly after stopping the engine, this indicates a strong drop in voltage in the network due to the load on the battery;
reduction in the quality of the headlights and the brightness of all lighting in the car - the lion's share of the generator's energy is sent to charge the depleted battery, there are problems with optics;
when starting the engine, the first jerk of the starter is heard, then there is a second pause, then the starter spins again in normal mode, but the engine takes a long time to start;
When warming up, the speed may fluctuate; these problems are caused by the fact that in this mode the engine may require a little energy from the battery, which is empty.

These are the unpleasant situations that indicate that your car has problems with the battery. Also, modern cars experience problems with the on-board computer, which begins to show problems in every possible way. There may be a firmware failure or problems with displaying the necessary data. The windshield and interior airflow does not work well due to lack of energy. All this indicates that the generator is actively trying to charge the battery, and it does not have time for your whims in the form of the climate in the cabin.

The most unpleasant consequences of a severely discharged battery

There are dozens of situations that occur when the battery is discharged. For example, the inability to start the engine, especially in the cold season. You can also remember the glitch of the on-board computer, which persistently produces errors and does not allow the engine to start or even does not allow the owner to enter the car. A common problem is also sticking starter contacts. This happens according to this scheme when the battery is discharged:

the starter does not spin quickly, the process of starting this mechanism is unusually slow, which causes certain difficulties in the operation of the equipment itself for starting the unit;
due to the slow start, a spark may pass between the contacts, which may well weld these contacts and power the starter directly from the battery without breaking the circuit;
After this, the starter continues to turn constantly until you disconnect the battery terminal to interrupt the electrical circuit, which will cause certain problems;
in the process of such rotation, it is possible to burn the starter itself, completely drain the battery until it is deeply discharged, as well as burn out the wires in this entire circuit;
The biggest problem begins after stopping the engine, when the starter continues to spin directly from the battery and creates certain problems.

Of course, this situation is not common; it can only happen on cars that are not equipped with the highest quality electrical network devices. But the problem is that any car older than 5 years is not insured against such troubles. This is one type of trouble, but there can actually be a lot of such problems. It is worth insuring against them and promptly checking and changing the battery if it is too discharged.

What problems lead to severe battery drain?

In fact, modern batteries only need to be severely discharged once to get into trouble. We are talking about driving with a non-working generator or with a torn generator belt, about constant increased loads on the electrical system of the car. You need to monitor the battery indicator on the dashboard to avoid unpleasant consequences. The reasons for the increased constant discharge of the battery may actually be different:

connecting additional equipment that does not fit into the operating scheme of your type of generator, this causes a constant draw of energy from the battery;
breakdown of the diode bridge or generator brushes, which becomes a problem in terms of too little charge, this is not enough to replenish the battery losses;
active use of electrical appliances, such as fans, electric heating, mirrors and glass, heated seats, connecting various devices to the cigarette lighter;
side lights or headlights left on for a long time with the engine turned off, as well as a radio that worked all night in the garage;
other problems and troubles, including poor quality of the battery itself, breakage of some wires and breakdown of sensors both in the generator and in other places in the electrical circuit.

All this leads to the fact that the car battery is discharged systematically and quite strongly. With a deep discharge, an attempt to replenish the necessary charge often does not help. The battery needs to be replaced, which often takes a toll on the buyer’s pocket and significantly reduces the financial benefits of operating the car. It is worth taking this as one of the aspects of operating a car. We suggest watching a video on how to determine current leakage in a car and reduce battery discharge:

Let's sum it up

Unpleasant situations related to the battery during vehicle operation occur virtually all the time. We are talking about troubles with low charge, constant battery discharge, and low quality of accessories sold on the market. There are various options and improvements you can make to your car to improve battery control. But all this does not guarantee the absence of problems. If your alternator belt breaks in the middle of the highway, you will have to put up with the dead battery.

How to start a car if the battery is dead

No one has repealed the law of meanness, which is why the battery often dies at the most inopportune time: you’re stopped on the side of a busy highway, but you can’t get going, the car won’t start. It's a shame, isn't it?

How to understand that the battery is dead?

After turning the key in the ignition, the cheerful “grumble” of the engine is replaced by slow and viscous sounds;
The indicators on the dashboard are dim (or do not light up at all);
Crackling and clicking noises can be heard from under the hood.

How to start a car if the battery is dead?

Method 1 “Start-charger” . The easiest and most painless way to start a battery is with a special device. It is connected to the network, the mode switch is set to the “start” position. The positive wire of the ROM is connected to the + terminal, the negative wire is connected to the engine block closer to the starter. Turn the key in the ignition, after the car has started, the starter-charger can be turned off.

This method is suitable for all types of cars (with automatic and manual transmission).

Method 2 “Give me a light!” For this you will need: a donor car - 1 piece, wires for lighting (cross-section more than 16 sq. mm), a key for 10. The battery of the donor car must be in normal working condition, do not try to light a 12-volt unit from a 24-volt volt, the voltage must be the same. An exception is feeding a 24-volt battery from two 12-volt batteries, which are connected in series. Cars are placed next to each other, but they should not touch. The engine of the “donor” is turned off, the negative terminal of the second car needs to be removed. Observe polarity, otherwise the electronics will simply fail. Basically, the negative wire is marked black, and the positive wire is marked red. The positive terminals need to be connected to each other, then we connect the negative to the “donor” and only after that the negative to the car being reanimated. After this, you can start the “donor” for 4-5 minutes so that the “dead” battery is recharged, then you can start the second car and let it run for 5-7 minutes. The terminals are disconnected, let the car run for 15-20 minutes, charging occurs faster when the engine is on.

Method 3 “Increased current” . The battery can be recharged with a higher current; the battery does not need to be removed from the car, but for vehicles with an on-board computer, you need to remove the negative terminal, otherwise the electronics will “fly”. The current can be increased by no more than 30% of the standard readings. For example, for a 60 Ah battery, a current of up to 8 amperes is allowed. The electrolyte level should be normal and the filler plugs should be opened. Charging lasts 20-30 minutes, then you can start the car. Often resorting to this method is not recommended - it shortens the “life” of the battery.

Method 4 “Towing or pusher” . For towing you will need: a cable 4-6 meters long, a towing vehicle. The cars are connected to each other by a cable and accelerate to 10-15 km/h; the towed car needs to engage 3rd gear and gradually release the clutch. If you manage to start the car, you can uncouple the “sweet couple”. The main thing in this method is to coordinate the actions of the drivers, otherwise you can cause serious damage to your neighbor’s vehicle. The method is only suitable for vehicles with manual transmission. You can use human resources instead of a towing vehicle. Accelerate the car downhill or on a flat road. Pushing by the rear pillars or trunks, otherwise you can get serious injuries (for example, slipping and getting run over).

Method 5 “Lithium batteries” . Reviews about it are very mixed; for recharging you can use a laptop, phone, camera and other equipment with lithium batteries. It takes 10-20 minutes to recharge; you can connect it using the car cigarette lighter or directly to the battery. The devices are suitable for all types of cars.

Method 6 “Crooked starter” . Such a thing for cranking the crankshaft helped out many motorists. To do this you will need a jack, 5-6 meters of thick rope or sling. Using a jack, you need to raise one of the drive wheels, wrap 5-6 meters of rope around it, turn on the ignition and direct transmission. Pull the end of the foot with a sharp movement; you need to spin the wheel thoroughly.

We hope that our article will be useful to you, and in an emergency situation you will not be confused and use these tips!

Why does the battery drain?

Any battery, even the highest quality, discharges on its own over time, and this happens for various reasons.

5 reasons why your battery drains quickly

The battery has expired (4-5 years);
The generator does not charge the battery during the trip;
There is a current leak in the on-board network;
Forgot to turn off the headlights or radio for a long time;
Exposure to critical temperatures (severe frost).

How to avoid frequent discharges and how to extend the life of a car battery - read on, we have collected all the useful tips on this topic in one convenient list.

11 tips to extend battery life

Do not run the engine frequently for short runs.
Do not leave the battery in a discharged state; keep it charged.
Do not allow your car battery to be completely discharged frequently.
Do not allow the plates to become exposed, check and add electrolyte to the required level.
Check the tension of the generator belt and replace the belt if it is very loose.
Visually check the wiring in the network to promptly eliminate current leakage.
Watch the contacts connecting to the battery - they may oxidize, wear out or become damaged.
Make it a rule in any situation to check the car inside and out when you arrive at your destination. All electrical appliances and lights must be turned off.
In severe frosts, disconnect and move the battery to a warm room.
In cold weather, charge the battery to the maximum more often so that the frost cannot completely discharge the battery.
In winter, use special “warming” covers for your car battery.

Kolodiychuk Andrey , specially for ByCars.ru

When using this material, a link to https://bycars.ru/ is required.

Published 01/01/70. This page has been viewed 527793 times

It’s been a long time since I had to start a car with a dead battery, and before I started it a couple of times using the pushrod. The main thing is that there is somewhere to at least minimally accelerate the car, engage the gear and you’re done.

Once, at the dacha, I forgot to turn off the headlights and discharged the battery, and the automatic transmission couldn’t be started from the pushrod. I had to ask a neighbor to drive up the hood to the hood, hook up the wires to its battery and start it up. In principle, nothing complicated.

I myself have never had to start a car with a dead battery, but in theory I know what to do, and male drivers will always be happy to help a girl. Moreover, for such a case I have special wires with clamps in the trunk.

I remember from the recent past, when driving through Belgorod, my father and I got stuck right in the middle of a busy highway, the feeling of helplessness and the impressions of the trip were remembered for the rest of our lives. They pulled us out using method No. 4 - towing, for which many thanks to the caring townspeople. Now, having learned from bitter experience, we use method No. 1 - a charger.

Once, when the temperature outside was below -30 degrees, my car had to be towed from a pusher. This is the most common method I use. Sometimes I also used the lighting method, but the wires for lighting are not always available.

Most often they start it with a pusher or “ask to light a cigarette”; I have not seen other options; they are more complex and hardly ordinary people resort to them.

I use Amstek Start booster. On lithium batteries. Comfortable

It’s a little unclear about the lighting method.

“The positive terminals need to be connected to each other, then we connect the negative to the “donor” and only after that the negative to the car being reanimated. After this, you can start the “donor” for 4-5 minutes so that the “dead” battery is recharged, then you can start the second car and let it run for 5-7 minutes. "

Where do we connect the negative to the car being restored - to ground or to the free negative terminal of the battery? In the first case, the recipient will start, but the battery will not be recharged. In the second case, in 4-5 minutes the recipient’s battery will not be charged until it is possible to start the engine

How do you know if your car battery is dead?

Today we will talk about what consequences may arise from this, as well as what to do in extreme and unpleasant situations. You should always take into account the design features of your car to avoid rash actions.

Also today we will explore the question of why even in a very good and reliable car it is worth having a basic set of tools that will help avoid problems.

And this also applies to the battery. If, under load, the battery drops the starting current level significantly, you will have to come to terms with the need to replace it. However, charging with a special device may not always solve the problem.

If the inside of the product is already worn out, the plates are crumbling, the acid is clogged, it’s time to change the battery. The frequency of such replacement for different operating options ranges from two to eight years of service.

What happens to the battery during low-charge operation?

And the higher the probability of breakdown of certain elements of the machine’s electronics becomes. Because instead of 12V, the equipment receives 8V or 7V from a discharged battery. The drawdown should not be below 10V. The processes inside the battery itself do not show anything pleasant:

very rapid decomposition of lead plates, if we are talking about a classic acid battery for your car, contamination of the liquid during the process of decomposition of the material;
a serious change in the properties of the liquid itself, which is caused by the ingress of materials unusual for it into the acid, a change in the conductivity of this material in the battery;
a decrease in the ability to accept a charge, that is, the slow and steady death of the battery due to the extremely low quality of the internal environment, the complete collapse of many elements;
a decrease in the electrolyte level due to its banal evaporation due to changed properties, the constant need to add distilled water or acid;
inadequate response to turning on the charger, lack of the necessary indication due to completely changed properties of all elements of the internal environment.

This is a very unpleasant moment, which simply disables an expensive element of your car. So checking and recharging the battery is simply necessary. Especially if the car is mostly used in the city.

Key indicators of a discharged car battery

There are several indicators that indicate a malfunction of the electrical power supply in your car. Such indicators appear long before the real result of a discharged battery is visible.

Learn to pay attention to these moments so as not to constantly find yourself in unpleasant situations. This will help you charge the battery on time and comply with all operating conditions of the car without any problems. So, the indicators could be the following:

inadequate operation of the alarm, too long a reaction after pressing the button on the remote control key fob, poor door opening, jamming of the central locks;
turning off the radio shortly after stopping the engine, this indicates a strong drop in voltage in the network due to the load on the battery;
reduction in the quality of the headlights and the brightness of all lighting in the car - the lion's share of the generator's energy is sent to charge the depleted battery, there are problems with optics;
when starting the engine, the first jerk of the starter is heard, then there is a second pause, then the starter spins again in normal mode, but the engine takes a long time to start;
When warming up, the speed may fluctuate; these problems are caused by the fact that in this mode the engine may require a little energy from the battery, which is empty.

There may be a firmware failure or problems with displaying the necessary data. The windshield and interior airflow does not work well due to lack of energy. All this indicates that the generator is actively trying to charge the battery, and it does not have time for your whims in the form of the climate in the cabin.

The most unpleasant consequences of a severely discharged battery

A common problem is also sticking starter contacts. This happens according to this scheme when the battery is discharged:

the starter does not spin quickly, the process of starting this mechanism is unusually slow, which causes certain difficulties in the operation of the equipment itself for starting the unit;
due to the slow start, a spark may pass between the contacts, which may well weld these contacts and power the starter directly from the battery without breaking the circuit;
After this, the starter continues to turn constantly until you disconnect the battery terminal to interrupt the electrical circuit, which will cause certain problems;
in the process of such rotation, it is possible to burn the starter itself, completely drain the battery until it is deeply discharged, as well as burn out the wires in this entire circuit;
The biggest problem begins after stopping the engine, when the starter continues to spin directly from the battery and creates certain problems.

This is one type of trouble, but there can actually be a lot of such problems. It is worth insuring against them and promptly checking and changing the battery if it is too discharged.

What problems lead to severe battery drain?

You need to monitor the battery indicator on the dashboard to avoid unpleasant consequences. The reasons for the increased constant discharge of the battery may actually be different:

connecting additional equipment that does not fit into the operating scheme of your type of generator, this causes a constant draw of energy from the battery;
breakdown of the diode bridge or generator brushes, which becomes a problem in terms of too little charge, this is not enough to replenish the battery losses;
active use of electrical appliances, such as fans, electric heating, mirrors and glass, heated seats, connecting various devices to the cigarette lighter;
side lights or headlights left on for a long time with the engine turned off, as well as a radio that worked all night in the garage;
other problems and troubles, including poor quality of the battery itself, breakage of some wires and breakdown of sensors both in the generator and in other places in the electrical circuit.

Main signs of a dying car battery

One of the most unpleasant incidents on the road can be the failure of a car battery, so every driver simply needs to know the characteristic signs of its malfunction.

It’s even worse when the engine doesn’t even respond to external power sources and won’t start. It is important to distinguish between symptoms: whether the battery is simply dead or it is time to change it. Possible financial costs depend on this. And if the car stalls in the middle of the road, outside help from a specialized service may be required. To avoid such situations in the future, learn what to do in such a situation.

The battery just died: main signs

To avoid getting into an awkward situation on the highway, you should pay due attention to checking the battery charge. This should be done every three months using a hydrometer.

This device has a special scale on which the density of electrolytes can be easily determined. If such a device is not available to you, it’s okay - the car service center provides similar services.

We check the battery charge ourselves with a hydrometer

To understand that the battery is running low, when operating the car you should pay attention to the following points:

An unpleasant grinding noise occurs when the engine is turned on, and the starter starts slowly.
Lack of full illumination of indicators on the panel.
Periodic clicking or crackling noise from under the hood.
Malfunctions of the alarm system, jammed locks and doors that won’t open.

The indicator on the dashboard also indicates that the battery is not charging

If the battery has been in constant use for several years, do not be surprised that it begins to lose charge faster, even if it seemed high-quality and powerful when purchased.

This happens for several reasons:

Main signs that the battery is faulty

End of service life, that is, the battery has simply expired.
When there is a current leak.
No charging from the generator while driving.
Constant operation of fans, headlights, radio, which can be left on at night.
Due to strong temperature changes, from warm to cold and vice versa.

It's time to change the battery: main symptoms

An indicator of a fully working battery is its ability to send and receive current in accordance with its characteristics. Eg:

receiving current at 1/10 of the total capacity;
current delivery with power corresponding to the declared one;
starter capabilities, namely the starting current strength, equal to the indicators declared by the concerns for a specific make and model of car;
maintaining charge for a long period.

If the battery cannot cope with the above functions, it is faulty.

All car enthusiasts should know the signs that a battery is “dying”:

The car battery is unable to start the engine for no apparent reason (provided that it is charged).
The battery does not hold voltage well - it cannot be charged or discharges in a matter of minutes.
The electrolyte appears cloudy in color, closer to black.
The battery heats up when charging and then does not cool down well.
The battery develops an unpleasant odor.

To carry out the most subtle and accurate diagnostics, it is necessary to use special devices and tools, for example a load fork, multitester, current clamps, etc.

We carry out battery diagnostics

But in the case when you do not have this list of tools, and for one reason or another you cannot go to the service center, there is a fairly simple way to determine the signs of a dying car battery.

Without starting the car, you need to turn on the high beam headlights for half an hour and then try to start the engine. In the event of a malfunction and a small capacity of the car battery, the car simply will not be able to start, or you will face a difficult start.

If you have a voltmeter or, more simply, a multimeter, you can easily find out about a serious breakdown or low charge level. The accuracy of this method is 90%.

You will need to remove the terminals from the battery, and set the voltmeter to measure voltage in the range of 20 volts. The device is connected to the battery, to the corresponding current terminal: plus to the red probe, and minus to the black.

What do the obtained indicators indicate:

In the range of 11.9 - 12.2 volts. The battery is completely discharged, requiring urgent charging. Since a severely discharged battery is unable to start the engine correctly, it can fail you at a crucial moment.
The range of 11.2 - 11.7 volts may indicate a break in one of the plates. Because of this, the resistance inside the battery increases, and the voltage, on the contrary, decreases. As a result, the starting current does not exceed 110 - 160 A. This is not enough to start the engine.
Range 10.4 - 10.7 volts. A car battery with such indicators discharges instantly and practically does not hold a charge. Therefore, using the battery becomes impossible.
A result of less than 9.0 volts indicates a deep discharge when the vehicle is idle for a long time or the trunk is not fully closed, the interior light is left on, etc.

Conclusion

The main signs of battery failure are clear. To determine the faulty condition of this element, it is enough to take a closer look at how the car behaves.
Since most battery problems can be corrected and corrected, sometimes it is even possible to restore lost characteristics.
With timely inspection and proper maintenance, the service life of the battery can be significantly extended.

Did you know before how to properly check the battery?

How to find out if your car's battery is dead

Nobody needs troubles on the road, and one of them could be a dead battery. In this article we will tell you how to find out if the battery in your car is dead. To avoid an awkward situation in the middle of the road, you need to monitor the state of charge of the battery, checking it once every 3 months using a hydrometer. The device is equipped with a scale, by the level of the float of which you can check the level of electrolyte density. If this device is not available, contact a car service center. If the battery is not maintained, a red light signal will indicate that the battery is low. During operation, there are also several alarm calls, by which you can understand that it is sitting down:

When starting the engine, instead of the usual grumbling, an unpleasant grinding sound appears, the starter starts slowly;
There is no full illumination of indicators on the dashboard;
From under the hood, clicking and crackling sounds are periodically heard;
The locks are jammed, the alarm system is not working properly, the doors are difficult to open when the key fob is pressed remotely.

After several years of use, you should not be surprised that the battery begins to discharge, even if the battery is powerful and of very high quality. Here are a few reasons why this happens:

The service life has expired and the device has completed a full cycle;
Current leakage observed:
There is no charging from the generator during the trip;
Constant use of lighting fixtures, fans and radios, headlights and headlights left on overnight with the engine turned off;
The influence of strong temperature changes (frost).

What should you do if your car battery is dead?

First you need to make sure that the problem is really a dead battery. No one is immune from the problem of a discharged battery, and recharging it at home or in the garage will not be a problem, although it will take a lot of time, but what if it happened on the road:

Start the car using the pushrod;
By towing;
The “let me light it” method;
Starter charger;
Crooked starter.

The battery is dead, how to start it?

Even one person can start a car from a pushrod, on smooth asphalt and a still warm engine, but if the situation is different, you cannot do without the help of 2-3 men. In the countries of the post-Soviet space, this is the most common method, but provided that your gearbox is not automatic and the engine capacity is less than one and a half liters.
Call a tow truck
For towing, you will need a second car, a rope or cable, and complete coordination of the drivers. Using a cable, they connect both cars, and accelerating at low speed, they start the car with a discharged battery.
The “let it light” method, one of the commonly used methods, is suitable for cars with any transmission. You need another car with a charged battery and special wires with crocodile clips.
The simplest option is using a charger, only if there is a network. An important point when connecting, in the order of operation, battery - charger - network.
The car is put on the handbrake, any wheel is lifted with a jack, 5-6 meters of rope or sling are wound around it, the ignition is turned on, and with a strong tug on the sling, the wheel spins well.

To extend the life of the AKM, visually check the wiring to avoid current leakage. At the end of the trip, inspect the car to ensure that electrical appliances and lighting are turned off. Monitor the battery charge level, electrolyte and plate exposure. If the temperature drops sharply, charge the battery more often and try to bring it to a warm place. Bon Voyage.