EdupradaThe battery powers your car’s electrical systems. But it wears out over time and may not hold the charge well. A battery problem that discharges when stopped is often a sign of a worn battery or a car that has not been driven for a long time, but the alternator can also be in question.
What causes battery discharge?
The battery is often the reason for a car that won’t start. A car battery is normally recharged while driving and has a lifespan of 4 to 5 years on average. Naturally, some batteries may last longer…or less!
If your car is left stationary for a long time, the battery will slowly discharge until it becomes completely flat. But how long does it take for a car battery to discharge? If you don’t drive often, immediately plan to run the engine at least once every 15 days if you don’t want to discharge the battery .
If you haven’t driven for a few weeks, it’s not surprising that your battery has discharged while stopping, even if it’s new or almost new. However, it is not entirely normal that:
- You have a battery that discharges regularly;
- You have a battery that discharges while driving;
- You have a car battery that dies overnight.
There are several reasons why a battery may discharge too quickly. These explanations include:
- A bad (re)charging of the battery: there is a fault in the charging circuit and your battery is not charging correctly while riding, or even discharges while riding. This explains in particular why your new battery discharges after being changed, because the problem did not come from the battery itself but from its charging system.
- A human error: you closed a door incorrectly or left the headlights on, and the battery discharged during the night.
- A failure of the alternator: it is this which recharges the battery. It also operates certain electrical components of the car. An alternator failure can therefore cause rapid discharge of the battery.
- The abnormal consumption of an electrical system: an electrical problem in a component like the radio in your car can draw abnormally on the battery, which then discharges more quickly.
- The age of the battery: when the battery is old, it recharges more difficult and discharges more quickly.
What are the symptoms of a failed battery?
Does your car not start when you turn the key? Do you have startup problems? Here are the signs that your car battery is broken:
- The battery light is on on the dashboard;
- The electrical accessories (radio, windshield wipers, windows, headlights, etc.) operation poorly, if at all;
- The horn does not work or very weakly;
- The engine starts and makes a appearance of starting without really being able to start;
- Starting is complicated, especially when cold;
- You hear a clicking sound under the hood when you try to turn the ignition on.
However, the battery is not necessarily the cause of these symptoms. A starting fault may have another cause. It is therefore advisable to test your car’s battery and make a diagnosis of its charging system.
Do not rush to change the battery if the problem is with the circuit: you will pay for a new battery for nothing. Before making a decision, have your battery examined by a certified mechanic.