How do you know if your car battery is going bad??

Question

I'm not having problems yet but was wanting to know what some signs were!!! THANKS!

Answer 1

Your car will not start or will be difficult to start. This is common when auto batteries are 3-4 years old and sometimes they are still in some warranty.
Batteries do not always fail the same way. With some there is a weakening indication during starting, made worse in cold weather. Others just quit altogether.
If the battery has access caps, periodically check the water levels in the cells and refill with clean water as needed. Then recharge the battery if needed. If the car will start, driving will recharge it after you top it off.
Check to see if the terminal connections to the battery are clean and with older cars that the cable connections inside the terminals are not corroded. A couple squirts with WD 40 will protect the terminals.
If the battery can be checked with a good draw-down meter and it is OK, look elsewhere for the problem. It could be the starter or an electronic device in the ignition system. It could also be that the alternator is not charging the battery as it should.
Starters and alternators are fairly easy to replace if you are so inclined. An auto mechanic will charge you twice what you can do for by yourself, or by a friend. The parts are available at NAPPA and other automotive parts retailers.

Answer 2

U probably wont know until it wont start but a good sign would be slow starting. For example when you try to start it, the cars motor turns over slowly and then starts but it seems like it doesnt want to turn the motor over. Look at your battery and see how many months it is rated for. In most cases it will go out before the rating but not all the time. It will say 48 months or 60 month battery. U can always take it to one of the name brands auto stores like O'reillys or Pep Boys and they can check your battery right there with it still in the car.

Good luck

Answer 3

You can buy an inexpensive battery tester at any auto parts store or Wal-Mart...syringe type with a small tube that you insert into the battery's cells one at a time...press the bulb at the top and draw in some of the water there are lines on the syringe and where the little ball stops tells you how strong that particular cell is...

Answer 4

Take it to a shop that has a load tester and get it tested but it will need re-charging after the test.

If it is an older battery with caps on top you can have the 'specific gravity' of it tested, (a Hydrometer test) as that will give some indication of it's condition.

If you want to test your own alternator, run the engine at idle, (Warmed up) then flip on the lights (high beam too) and listen to hear if the motor slows down >>slightly<< as the alternator will place a slight strain on the engines' idling speed.

Answer 5

Turn on the dome light, and watch it while trying to start the car. It will get a bit dimmer while the starter motor is turning; this is normal. (Some cars have a disconnect that shuts off the dome light when starting the engine, so if it goes out during a normal start, don't be alarmed -- but take note of it.) If the light gets much dimmer, it is probably time to replace the battery.

Answer 6

If you take the positive battry cable off and the car remains running your alternator is working adn thus your battery is charging the alternator.
You can also take your car to somewhere like Auto Zone or most any other chain parts store and they may test it for free.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you know if your car battery is going bad??
I'm not having problems yet but was wanting to know what some signs were!!! THANKS!

Answer 8

some of the signs are slower cranking time when starting. swelling of the sides of the battery. excessive acid alkyli on the surface. althou sometimes a battery wont give no symptoms at all before it goes out. if your indoubt of its integrity just have it tested at a shop or parts store.

Answer 9

Every time ive had one go bad it just happens. You stop to go in the store for something-come back out and its dead. Ive never really gotten a warning from one. Generally, i go by the 4-5 year rule. Once they get 4-5 years old i look for them to go dead at any time. Thats the longest ive had one last.

Answer 10

if it is cranking slow have it checked. beware that it could also be the alternator if your car has the same symptoms and the battery has been changed recently