You can’t drive a car with a dead battery, but you didn’t need us here at 2000 Auto to tell you that. The nice thing is that your car’s battery just might warn you that it’s on its way out before it dies completely. If your battery is three years old or older, look for the following signs of battery trouble that signal it’s time to replace this important power source in your automobile.
Battery or Check Engine Light
Your vehicle’s dashboard has a check engine warning light and it may have a battery-shaped warning light. If either of these lights turns on, especially when you’re trying to start your automobile, this could be a sign that your battery is dying. Either light should only come on briefly when you first start your car.
Hard Starts
If you are having difficulty getting your car started, the problem could lie with your battery, or with the alternator or starter. Usually, a dead battery will not turnover at all or you might hear a “wah, wah” sound. If you hear clicking, this signals the issue lies with the starter and not the battery.
Dim or Flickering Lights
Your alternator powers your lights, but a dying battery will make them flicker, as well. It’s easy to notice the flickering lights when you’re driving at night, especially out in a rural area with little light. Your lights, including the headlights, will also dim if they aren’t getting enough power.
Electrical Problems
Other electrical problems that signal an issue with the battery or alternator include loss of power to your accessories. For example, your console entertainment or GPS systems malfunction or you cannot get your power windows to open or close.
Corroded Battery Terminals
Corroded battery terminals can happen if the mixture of battery acid – sulfuric acid – and water leak from an old battery. You can clean the terminals with distilled water and baking soda, but if your battery is old, it’s better to just replace it.
Cracked or Bubbling Battery Case
Inspect your battery case regularly to ensure it looks normal. Check for bubbles, cracking, warping, or anything else that looks out of the ordinary. A misshapen battery case indicates a serious problem with the inside of the battery that could lead to battery leaks.
Rotten Egg Smells
If your car’s battery is leaking, you might smell rotten eggs. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, which is why a leaking battery will smell like this. A rotten egg smell can also indicate catalytic converter trouble, however, so it’s best to have the smell checked out by an automotive technician.
Stop by 2000 Auto in Melbourne, FL, if you suspect your car battery is dying. We’ll test it and make recommendations from there.