Why does my car battery keep dying even when the alternator is good?

Why does my car battery keep dying even when the alternator is good?

There are a few reasons that your car battery could keep dying even if your alternator is good. The most common explanation is that you have a bad battery. It doesn’t matter how much juice your alternator is pumping into your battery if it can’t hold a charge. You also might have something that is drawing power after you shut off the engine.

What can I do if my car battery keeps dying?

To check cold-cranking amps, you need a specialty tool. The good news is that you can take your car to AutoZone and they will test and charge your battery for free. Check the alternator. Yes, you think it’s okay, but did you check it the right way?

When is it time to replace your car battery?

If your car battery is more than 3 or 4 years old, then it’s probably time to replace it. Old batteries are incapable of holding a strong charge, which also means that they won’t be able to supply a strong current for the electrical system of your vehicle. Pop open the hood to visually inspect the car battery.

Why does my car battery keep running out of power?

Your battery may wear out before its time if you take too many short drives. The battery puts out the most power when starting the car. Shutting off your vehicle before the alternator has a chance to recharge could explain why the battery continues dying or doesn’t seem to last long. 7. Corroded or Loose Battery Cables

Why does my new battery keep going dead?

Your car battery could keep dying from a variety of reasons such as age, a bad alternator, human error, and more. 1. Human Error 2. Parasitic Drain 3. Faulty Charging

What would cause a car battery to keep dying?

Getty Images. Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.

Why does your battery keep going dead?

Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather .

Will a dead battery recharge itself?

No, don’t just replace a dead battery right away. But if the battery dies close to five (5) years, replacing it should be the best choice. The good news is if a battery dies prematurely, or less than two or five years, jump starting it will allow you to recharge it.

What should the voltage of an alternator be?

Connect the other lead to a good ground (the negative post on the battery is a great choice!). Your alternator should be putting out between 13.5 to 15 volts. Anything less than this, and you have a bad alternator! If your alternator is putting out this voltage, then something else is killing your battery.

What to do if your alternator isn’t working?

If it doesn’t fix the issue, remove the alternator and have it rebuilt or get an other one that works. Simply put, if you can drive the car for a while (more than a 10 minutes) and the battery is completely charged when done, then the alternator is working fine.

There are a few reasons that your car battery could keep dying even if your alternator is good. The most common explanation is that you have a bad battery. It doesn’t matter how much juice your alternator is pumping into your battery if it can’t hold a charge. You also might have something that is drawing power after you shut off the engine.

To check cold-cranking amps, you need a specialty tool. The good news is that you can take your car to AutoZone and they will test and charge your battery for free. Check the alternator. Yes, you think it’s okay, but did you check it the right way?

Connect the other lead to a good ground (the negative post on the battery is a great choice!). Your alternator should be putting out between 13.5 to 15 volts. Anything less than this, and you have a bad alternator! If your alternator is putting out this voltage, then something else is killing your battery.

If it doesn’t fix the issue, remove the alternator and have it rebuilt or get an other one that works. Simply put, if you can drive the car for a while (more than a 10 minutes) and the battery is completely charged when done, then the alternator is working fine.

What does it mean when your alternator is not charging?

If the alternator is not charging the battery, you will have a red “ALT” or “charge” sign on your dashboard. This means that your battery is no longer being supplemented for power by the alternator. You will need to recheck the wiring because the light could also be faulty.

How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?

To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

Why does my Hyundai Accent battery keep dying?

Why does my car keep dying? – 2008 Hyundai Accent New alternator and battery…. New alternator and battery. Why does my car keep dying? So recently I experienced some issues with my car where it would shut off while at idle. A mechanic suggested to me the symptoms seemed to point to my alternator or battery.

How can I tell if my alternator is working or not?

If you’re not 100% sure, you can use a multimeter, or a voltmeter, to check the current coming from your battery. Attach the positive lead to the positive battery terminal, that’s the red one, and then the negative leave it to the black terminal. With the engine off you should be getting a reading of 12.5 volts on your multimeter.