If your car or truck will not start or is turning over very slowly, the battery could be the reason. However, in many cases, vehicle batteries are still good when they exhibit problems, and battery maintenance, or lack of it, could be where the real problem lies.
Battery Connectors
Automotive batteries depend on the connection between the cables and terminals to deliver power to the starter and from the alternator to the battery during charging. Starting issues can occur because of a poor connection, so before replacing the battery, clean the terminals and ends on the cables to ensure the connection is good.
Cleaning the terminals on automotive batteries and terminals is the best place to start, and all you need is a baking soda solution and a small wire brush. Disconnect the cables from the battery, and then remove the oxidation from the terminals and battery cable ends, ensuring a good connection between them. Many times this is enough to get your battery working effectively again.
Protecting The Cable Ends
When installing cables on automotive batteries, there are some things you should do to ensure a good connection and protect the ends from oxidation and corrosion. Dielectric grease is available from any auto parts retailer and allows electricity to flow through it but sheds water and other corrosives.
Putting a thin coating of the grease on the connections before putting them together can help to keep water out and provide a good connection between the battery and the cables. After cleaning the connectors and posts, all you need is a coat of the dielectric grease inside the cable end and on the battery post or terminal where the two meet.
You can also add some to the bolts on the cable ends to help remove them later if necessary. Automotive batteries have a limited lifespan, so eventually, you will need to replace them.
Battery Testing
If the battery in your vehicle will not turn the engine over or still does not charge after maintenance and cleaning, taking it to a shop that sells automotive batteries and can test it for you is the next step. The garage or shop will charge the battery completely and then load-test it to determine the amount of power it has in it.
The load test simulates starting the engine and reads the amperage in the battery during testing. If the battery is faulty, this test will show it and can also determine if there are bad cells inside the battery and what the charge state is. Charging and load testing automotive batteries is the best way to assess their overall condition and determine if it is time for a replacement.
To learn more about vehicle batteries, reach out to an auto parts shop near you.
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