

#Dead car battery indicator how to#
Find out how to tell if your alternator is bad¹²:

There are certain bad alternator symptoms to look for. If the above steps reveal that the battery is working, it’s time to take a closer look at the alternator. This problem occurs when your alternator has overcharged the battery due to a bad voltage regulator. If your battery is bloated, you should be able to notice thanks to manufacturer design: You’ll easily be able to identify bulging in the battery’s casing. This is an odd problem that typically will happen only on certain vehicles, and it is a result of the battery having only enough voltage to start the car. This can happen for a number of reasons, but checking your battery is the best place to start. If you notice your radio display or headlights flickering or dimming, there’s a good possibility your battery isn’t well-charged. If your ignition is in the on position, the battery should be able to run your radio, headlights, windshield wipers, and other electronic components. However, there are steps you can take to help preserve your car battery life. Eventually, the level of battery charge diminishes to the point where, no matter how much power the alternator gives to it, the battery can’t hold enough power to start the car. On average, car batteries last between 3 and 5 years. As batteries age, they become less able to retain a charge because the metal inside corrodes. If you can’t get it to restart, this is a sign the alternator is doing its job of keeping the battery working while the motor is running, but the battery isn’t retaining the charge when the alternator has stopped.

After running the motor for a while, turn the car off. If it still won’t start, use a rag to carefully wipe away any corrosion on the battery and have someone jump-start it. Then make sure these are all turned off and once again try to start the car. Try turning on your windshield wipers, lights or automatic windows. If the dashboard lights are dim, something is likely wrong with your battery. The battery should be giving a charge, even while the vehicle is off. Are the dashboard lights dim? First, check the dashboard battery gauge.Signs of a bad batteryĬheck for these common symptoms of a dead battery: If a jump starts and keeps your car running, but the car can’t start again off of its own power, a dead battery is probably your answer. If the engine starts but dies immediately, your alternator probably isn’t keeping your battery charged. Using the process of elimination, find the culprit by bypassing the battery’s role and jump-starting your car. Finally, the alternator completes this cycle by charging the battery. This starts the engine running, which puts the alternator into action. First, the battery delivers a jolt of electricity to the starter. Starting and running an engine, in its simplest form, is a 3-step process. Battery or alternator: what’s causing the problem? If it’s one of those things, recognizing which one can be relatively simple. If your car won’t start, it’s often due to a malfunction of either the battery or the alternator.

You go to start your car, but when you engage the ignition, your car won’t start - and your stomach sinks.
