


Signs of a Weak Car Battery

by Jason Medina

A weak car battery can seriously disrupt a vehicle's starting ability and, in many cases, prevent a vehicle from being started at all. A vehicle relies on battery power to operate its entire electrical system, including that of its starting system. A weak car battery normally produces a series of signs that point to its impending failure.

Hard Vehicle Starting

A weak car battery can cause a hard vehicle starting condition if the weakened battery has sufficiently low levels of cranking power, or amps, needed to quickly and efficiently start a vehicle. Starting a vehicle requires tremendous battery power, and a weak battery may make vehicle starting difficult or impossible.

Vehicle Non-Starting

A battery does not have to be completely dead in order to prevent a vehicle from being started. Many times a battery that is very weak will simply lack sufficient power to turn a vehicle's starting motor and/or turn a vehicle's crankshaft.

Dim Headlights

Dim or weak headlight beams can often be a sign of a weak car battery if the battery lacks sufficient power to power the vehicle's electrical accessories, including the headlights.

Starter Clicking

A classic symptom of a weak car battery is a clicking sound coming from the starter when a vehicle's ignition key is turned. This clicking sound comes from the starter solenoid, a small electrical component that receives current from a car's battery. A weak car battery can lack the power to fully activate the starter solenoid resulting in a clicking sound.

Battery Recharging Problems

A battery that cannot be recharged fully is often times a sign of a weak battery that has degraded to the point of needing to be replaced. Although the battery may hold a weak or low-level charge, it cannot be recharged back to its full strength due to internal wear and degradation.

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