A dead battery is one of the most annoying and stressful problems for any driver. You can this situation by knowing some signs that your battery is weakening and needs to be replaced. As your CDJR dealer, we’d like to tell you more about these situations so you’ll know it’s time to visit us for a new car battery.
Old Battery
A battery has a working life of three to five years before it needs to be replaced. As a battery gets older, the chemicals inside it that allow it to store and supply electricity slowly degrade. This chemical breakdown is inevitable, and as the battery becomes weaker, starting the engine will become slower, and random electrical problems will appear.
The easiest way to determine your battery’s health is to visit us for a battery test. In this test, we hook your battery up to our computerized battery tester. This tester subjects the battery to a variety of tests to determine its raining strength and capacity. If your battery passes the test, we advise testing it again in one year. If your battery fails the test, we can install a new one for you in minutes.
Worn Alternator
Your battery may be healthy, but it’s being weakened by another issue in the electrical system. The most common culprit is a worn alternator. The alternator supplies all your vehicle’s electricity and it’s also responsible for recharging your battery. Under normal conditions, the alternator begins the recharging process as soon as your engine starts.
If your alternator is wearing out, it will supply less electricity than it previously did. Your battery uses a fixed amount of power to start your engine. The reduced charging from a damaged alternator means the battery will gradually weaken and eventually die. We can test your alternator and install a new one if necessary. We’ll also test your battery to ensure that it’s still healthy.
Battery Corrosion
If your battery is failing, it can release hydrogen molecules as the chemicals inside it break down. The hydrogen molecules escape the confines of the battery and they join with sulfur molecules present in your engine due to the fuel. Hydrogen and sulfur combine to form a new chemical, hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive, and it’s drawn to the battery terminals.
Hydrogen sulfide forms an acidic salt-like substance around the terminals and begins to corrode them. As the terminals suffer damage, the battery will start to weaken. You can check for corrosion by popping the hood and examining your battery terminals. Corrosion can be cleaned, but it will always return. We can fix this problem by removing your damaged battery and replacing it.
If you experience battery trouble, book an appointment with our auto service experts today at Bedford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Bedford, PA.
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