Being stranded in an unfamiliar location with a dead battery can be inconvenient at best and hazardous at worst. Fortunately, batteries normally give us a few warning signals before they fail, allowing you to purchase a replacement battery before you’re stuck. So you don’t get caught out in the cold, keep an eye out for these five telltale signs of a bad battery!
1. Dim Lights
If your vehicle’s lights are dimmer than they should be, or if they flicker, you may have a bad car battery. This is most often caused by an owner who doesn’t know how to properly maintain the vehicle. A bad car battery will not hold a charge like a good car battery will, which means the alternator has to work harder to keep the lights bright.
If your lights are dim, your alternator may not be doing its job well, or the battery may be going bad. This can be fixed by replacing your battery or doing regular maintenance to ensure that the alternator is working correctly.
2. Clicking Sound When You Turn the Key
If you turn your car’s key and hear a click, click, click sound, your battery may be bad. This is often a sign that the battery isn’t getting a charge from the alternator. Some owners will try to jumpstart the battery because they get a similar sound when doing that.
A clicking sound is a warning sign that you should have brought your vehicle to your mechanic for a checkup. A bad car battery can be expensive to replace, and a mechanic with a proper diagnostic machine can use that to tell you if you have a bad alternator or if your battery is going bad.
3. Corroded Battery Connectors
If your battery connectors are corroded, your battery may be going bad. Corroded connectors can cause your battery to lose its charge over time. It can also conduct electricity to the rest of your car’s electrical system, which could cause other problems.
If your connectors aren’t corroded, you may have a battery issue. Start by making sure the terminals are clean and clear. If they are, check your alternator and the rest of your electrical system for any defects or problems that could be causing an issue.
4. Misshapen Battery Connectors
If your battery connectors are misshapen, you may have a faulty battery. Batteries are designed to withstand high temperatures. That’s why they include a plastic covering that can melt. If the plastic covering melts sufficiently, it can cause the battery’s metal to push against the rest of the car’s electrical system.
If you do not have a bad car battery, you may have a problem with your starter or other parts of your electrical system.
5. Slow or Weak Start
If you have a slow or weak start, your car battery may be bad. A weak or slow start is the most obvious sign that you need a new car battery. If you’re having trouble starting your car, it could be because the battery isn’t holding a charge. If you have a weak start, it’s time to replace your car battery.
Bad alternators can also cause slow starts, so double-check your entire system to ensure you have your bases covered.
Conclusion
You will want to pay attention to the warning signs of a bad car battery. If you do, you can save yourself thousands of dollars in car repairs. A battery should last for three to five years, but if you don’t maintain your battery, you can shorten its lifespan.
If your car doesn’t start and you don’t know why a bad battery may be the cause. A bad car battery can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs if it’s not caught early. The warning signs are easy to identify, so don’t ignore them.
AAA FNQ Battery Wholesalers is a battery store with locations in Townville, Queensland, and Cairns, Queensland. We stock a wide range of automotive batteries to fit all your needs! We are a dedicated wholesaler, so if you need automotive and marine batteries or accessories, we promise we will have the most competitive prices around! If you need caravan batteries in Queensland, we’ve got you covered! Check out what we offer, and contact us for immediate assistance!