Six Reasons Your Car May Encounter Issues With Electrical System

Your vehicle’s electrical system is a complex ecosystem of wires, chargers and cables. And a problem in one area can cascade into problems in others.
“We’re asking our charging systems to put out a lot of power,” said Gale Kimbrough of Interstate Battery. “The variety of wants and needs has increased, and the battery suffers.”
All vehicles use an alternator to recharge the battery while the vehicle is running. A worn out alternator can prevent your vehicle's battery from recharging.
“People who drive sporadically or consistently drive short trips often encounter discharged batteries due to the increased parasitic drains,” he said.
Look for warning signs that your vehicle battery may be about to fail--difficulty starting your vehicle, low headlight intensity and power accessories that are sluggish (lift gates or windows that operate slower than normal).
Kimbrough had the following suggestions to avoid getting stuck with a dead battery:
- Ask your service advisor to test the battery’s power retention capability. A weak battery may be able to turn over your vehicle’s engine at home and go dead when you travel to a mountain retreat.
- Inspect the battery for leaks, cracks or bulging. Any one of these symptoms means it’s time for a new battery. A corrosive mixture of chemicals slops around inside the battery. A cracked, leaking or swollen battery poses serious safety hazards for you and your vehicle.
- Check for corrosion around the cables. Rust and crust on the terminals can diminish the effectiveness of your vehicle’s battery and must be removed.
- Inspect your vehicle’s charging system every three months or every oil change. Batteries that are more than 3 years old should be tested more frequently.
- Always get the battery checked before taking a long road trip. Have a professional mechanic inspect battery cables, posts and fasteners.
- Check electrical cables for wear and tear. If you notice cracks, ask your advisor about replacing the cables before your next out-of-town journey.
Problems are exacerbated by rapid temperature changes seen in late spring or late fall, KIimbrough said. The number and length of trips also plays into battery wear and tear.
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