Your car's battery functions much like a heart. This component is vital to providing adequate power for your vehicle to not only start but to stay running. In the event that it starts to malfunction, it is prudent for you to seek out repairs to find out whether the situation is salvageable or if you need a replacement battery. Below are some of the signs to look out for what would indicate it may be time to retire your car battery and get a new one.
The engine is cranking slowly
For your engine to power up, it needs a lot of energy. This energy is solely provided by your car battery. As you crank your engine, the vehicle's alternator will then function to keep your car battery working, as the alternator will then provide a continuous flow of power to keep the car running. In the event that you turn the key in the ignition and the engine is cranking much slower than it does, chances are your car battery has become compromised.
This should be attended to post haste by a mechanic so that you can prevent having to jump start your battery over and over as these consistent shocks would eventually burn out your battery. On the other hand, if you turn the key in the ignition and all you hear are clicks without the engine cranking, it would indicate it may be time for battery replacement.
The electrical components are not working
Although the main function of the battery is to provide power to your engine, it is also tasked with producing sufficient energy to keep the electrical components of your vehicle working too. These electrical accessories include the windshield wipers, the radio, the power windows, your dashboard lights and more. If you begin to notice that the electrical components of your vehicle have started to behave erratically, it is a sign that your car battery may have been compromised.
The first thing to do would be to check the condition of the battery terminals. If the terminals are dirty, they will not be able to transfer power sufficiently, therefore this could be the underlying problem. This is especially true if your engine is cranking as normal. However, if the terminals are clean and show no signs of damage, the chances are your battery does not have sufficient juice to power these accessories. It may be time for you to consider replacement of the battery.
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