the battery is about 4 years old…do i need a new one or it just needs to be recharged?
Suggestion:
Are any aftermarket wires attached to battery(Like sub woofer wires)? Aftermarket wires can drain a battery.
You may need a new battery, battery cables, battery charger, starter, alternator, or something else. You can do some tests on the battery to determine if it needs to be replaced.
Buy a digital multimeter, to test battery and alternator current flow. Connect Multimeter wires to battery terminal posts. (Red should touch positive terminal and Black should touch negative terminal. Screen should display 12 volts with engine off, and between 12 and 14 if engine is running.
Clean the battery terminal posts, if corrosion is built up on the positive(RED) and/or negative(BLACK) terminals, using baking soda and water mixture or a terminal cleaner tool.
Check electrolyte levels, using battery tester.
Charge battery.
If battery can not hold the charge for long periods of time, it should be replaced.
Have an auto parts store associate check the battery and alternator.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Some batteries don't last 4 years (it is old and needs to be replaced). You don't want to be stuck on the road (especially at night). You don't want to risk your safety or the safety of your family.
You can get your car's battery and charging system checked for free at some major car parts stores. They will also check your starter. Sometimes starters take excessive current to work and they need to be replaced.
Since you didn't leave the lights on, it is doubtful that the battery merely needs a charge (it sounds like you drive the car frequently). Rather, it sounds like the battery either won't hold a charge (defective battery), or the battery is not getting charged by the charging system (defective alternator or voltage regulator).
(Some voltage regulators are built into alternators, so they are not a separate device).
start the car and remove a battery cable, if it keeps running then take battery to autozone and have them charge it and test it,, if it dies when u removed the cable u need an alternator .itll be one or the other probably
Batteries have different life spans. If you bought a 36 or 48 month battery, then it's probably time to replace it. Stop by an auto parts store and ask them to test the battery to see if it's good or not.
You must log in to post a comment.