Common Flat Car Battery Causes
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After getting into your car you turn the key to start the engine but nothing happens. At that moment you realize that your car's battery is flat. It could be something simple such as forgetting to turn off the lights, in which case once the battery has been charged again everything is OK. However, there may be no obvious reason why the car battery has become flat, and this is more problematic.
If you cannot see any obvious reason for the battery being flat, for example the lights were left on, it may be that the car battery is not being charged by the alternator (the part of the car which generates electricity for the battery). It could be that the belt which drives the alternator is loose or the alternator may be faulty.
An easy way to check if your alternator is working and charging your battery is to start the car engine and switch on your headlights. While the engine is running, push down the accelerator pedal while you are watching the headlights shining on a wall or something similar. If the alternator is working the lights will get brighter as the engine speeds up. If the brightness does not change it is probable that the alternator has a fault.
Car batteries last for a few years and then need replacing, so if the battery is faulty it could be that it is just too old. The useful life of a battery depends on how you use the car, with short trips charging the batteries less fully than longer trips. Batteries which do not get fully charged between trips will not last as long as ones which get fully charged. If you do short trips, using a car battery charger now and then to fully charge the battery will extend its life.
You can check the car battery using a voltmeter. With the red voltmeter lead touching the positive terminal of the battery, and the black voltmeter lead touching the negative terminal, when the engine is off the voltage reading on the voltmeter should read between 12.5 and 12.8 volts. When the engine is started and ticking over the voltage should go up to around 13.6 to 14.3 volts. if there is no change in the reading it is likely that the alternator is faulty.
Starting problems may be due to loose connections at the battery terminals. Inspect the connections for tightness and if you still have problems look for corrosion between the connections and battery terminals. Any corrosion should be removed and after refitting them, petroleum jelly should be spread over the top of the connectors to stop water from getting in.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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