subject: Diagnosing And Changing Dead Car Batteries [print this page] If your car battery is not working, you should not be in a rush to change it. You should first troubleshoot because the problem could be current leakage, insufficient fluid, or other problems that can be fixed. You do not need to take your car to an auto mechanic if you are having car battery problems. Doing the troubleshooting and the changing yourself will save you money. Primarily, you should make sure it is the battery that has problems and you are not having other problems such as lack of gasoline. To do this, turn the ignition - you should only get a small click of the starter cylinoid engaging when you do this.
To troubleshoot, open the hood of your car and look at the connections to the positive and the negative terminals. If they are dirty, clean them since this means the problem might be that the circuit is not being completed. You should also clean the surface of the battery since the problem might be current leakage. You should clean the battery terminals because a build-up of a white powder between the terminal and the cable will prevent current flow to the starter. The cleaning should be done with a wet rag and baking soda and if you should use sandpaper if the terminals are corroded. Check whether the problem is a shorted positive terminal. The positive terminal should never be connected to any part of the car.
Before condemning your battery, you should try to recharge it. The car should be able to recharge the battery, but if this is not happening, buy or borrow a battery charger. The charger has a red and a black cable. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal. Charge until the indicator changes to green if the charger has an indicator. If it does not, disconnect the charger and use a voltmeter to check the voltage. From your user's manual, you will be able to tell when the battery is fully charged. You should be careful when checking the voltage while the car is running. This is because some parts move so fast that you may think they are stationary. Note that although you cannot get a shock from the battery, the current can be dangerous to the human heart and the nervous system.
If the battery is below 11 volts, this is an indication that it needs to be replaced. To replace the battery, you should know the correct procedures and you should know all the components and where they go. The batteries of most modern cars are usually hidden inside plastic boxes in one of the front corners of the engine compartment. To remove the battery, make sure the car engine is turned off to prevent the risk of accidents. Remove the cables connecting the battery to the starter - they are usually fastened using bolts. Remove the battery and drain the acid inside. Many stores take used batteries for recycling, but note you may have to pay for this. To replace the battery, make sure the car engine is turned off. Do not cross the terminals as this will damage the battery - there is an indication of the positive and the negative terminal on the body of the battery. Fill the battery with the acid and you will be good to go.
