Why Your Vehicle's Battery Keeps Dying

Your vehicle's battery will eventually die, simply from wear and tear and everyday use. Many car owners also know that extreme heat and cold can drain car batteries before their expected lifespan, which might make you wonder why your vehicle's batteries keep dying even though you keep the car in the garage, or when live in an area with a more mild climate. Note a few other reasons why your vehicle's battery always drains well before it should, so you can address these issues and stop wasting money and power on a recharge, or an entirely new battery altogether.

Wiring

If the vehicle's wiring is very old, or if there are bad electrical connections, electrical devices can then demand more power from the battery, as only part of that power will actually reach that device. In turn, the battery drains very quickly. An auto electrician can check the wiring and connectors for your vehicle, and note where any repairs or replacements need to be made.

Alternator belt

You may have your car's alternator tested when a battery runs down, but don't forget to check the belt! If the belt to the alternator is worn, frayed, torn, or otherwise damaged, it won't deliver enough electrical current to the battery to charge it properly. You may hear a squealing when you start your car and assume that's caused by the fan belt or power steering pump belt, but if the battery is consistently getting low, the alternator belt is probably the culprit.

Corrosion and bad recharging

If you regularly charge up the vehicle's battery but still find that it dies prematurely, it may be that there is corrosion along the battery terminals. This corrosion can get in the way of proper power current, so your battery isn't as charged as you assume. Clean those areas thoroughly after you've disconnected the battery, and try charging it again. This might allow it to get a full charge.

Parasitic drain

A parasitic drain refers to something that is draining the battery unnecessarily; this can be electrical add-on, such as a GPS or upgraded stereo speakers, or it may be that an electrical piece is outright failing. When this happens, it may automatically draw more power from the battery, trying to function properly. This is also something an auto electrician can check, as they will note if the lights, computer, pumps, and other such pieces are functioning properly and drawing the rights amount of power, or if they're getting more volts and amps than they should, causing the vehicle's battery to drain.


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