Why Won't It Start? 3 Signs Your Battery Is On Its Last Leg
There might be nothing worse than trying to start your car only to find out that the battery is dead. If you're traveling when that happens, you may end up waiting several hours for emergency road assistance. Luckily, if you pay attention to your car, your battery will usually provide you with some warning before it finally gives out permanently. Here are three signs that your battery should be replaced as soon as possible.
Your Engine Cranks but Won't Turn Over
If your engine is cranking while you're turning the key but it still won't start, you probably have a problem with your battery. This is particularly true if the lights in your car are coming on. A battery with low power may still have enough amps to keep the lights burning but not enough power to start the car. Before you start ruling out costlier problems, have your battery tested.
There's No Sign of Life
The battery in your car powers all the accessories, including the radio, lights and windshield wipers. If you've tried turning your car over, but nothing is working at all, chances are you have a battery that's outlived its usefulness. One way to tell if your battery is finally dead is to have it charged at a charging station – located at any parts store. If the battery doesn't hold a charge, you need a new one as soon as possible.
Intermittent Connections
If your battery has turned into a coin toss – meaning you're not sure it will start or not – there could be one of several problems at work. The first problem could be that the cells are draining in your battery, which means it will need to be replaced. The second problem could be that you have a parasitic draw somewhere in your car. That means you have a connection that's intermittently draining juice from your battery.
The final problem could be that you could have a loose connection somewhere on the battery – either a dirty, corroded or loose cable. Take a look at the battery. If you see corrosion on the cables, or they're not firmly connected to the battery posts, clean the corrosion off and tighten the connection. If the car starts, you've found your problem. If it doesn't, you'll need to have a mechanic look for the parasitic connection or have your battery replaced.
If your battery is giving you problems, it might be trying to tell you that it needs to be replaced. If you're dealing with any of the battery issues described above, it might be time to get a new one.
For an auto parts store, contact a company such as 195 Auto Parts.
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