The Science of Car Batteries: Understanding Why They Stop Holding Charge

So, your car battery is not holding charge anymore: (:(:( More often than not, old age of the battery is what attributes to such an issue. But if asked, we would say that aging is only one side of the story… There are numerous other things that may also cause your car battery to behave this way; some of the most obvious ones are listed below. Please take a look…

Car Battery Won’t Hold Charge: Discussing the Reasons

Reason #1- Old age

The battery your car comes equipped with is essentially a metal container filled with chemicals. Reactions happening inside this container are what give the battery its charge-holding capability. The problem with these chemicals is that they expire. Expired chemicals won't be able to adhere to the reaction requirements that help the battery store and disperse electric charge as per the need.

Fix- If your car battery is not holding electric charge because of its old age, the only solution you have is the installation of a new battery that's compatible with your vehicle. Yup… be careful while purchasing a new battery for your car. Choose the battery as per the suggestions provided in the owner's manual.

Reason #2- Defective alternator

Your battery’s inability to hold any charge could also be attributed to a defective alternator. That’s right… The alternator is entrusted with the task of recharging the battery. Just so you know, it converts the engine’s mechanical energy to electrical energy through a process known as electromagnetic induction. If it gives up because of a bad connector or a mechanical glitch, the battery won’t gain any electric charge, it will only lose them.

Fix- The alternator of a car is not something that fails very often. But when it does, the vehicle will battle all sorts of electrical issues. So if it occurs to you that your vehicle's alternator is giving up, repair or replace it as per the requirement.

Reason #3- Extreme weather

Weather conditions do influence your battery's charge-holding capability. Chemical reactions are what define a car battery. It is because of these reactions that your car battery stores the electric charge generated by the alternator and these reactions are what determine how efficiently the battery will disperse the stored energy. Extreme weather conditions may influence the chemical reactions happening inside the battery; thereby significantly reducing its charge-holding capacity.

Fix- There is not much you can do about it. But to minimize the degree of damage that extreme weather conditions can cause, you can provide your car battery with a suitable insulating cover. Not only this will protect the battery against extreme temperatures, but will also ensure its longevity.

Reason #4- Connection issue

A defective connector, a blown fuse, and a bad wire… are among the issues that may limit the charge-holding capability of a car battery. And yes… the battery won't be able to hold the charge efficiently if its terminals are corroded. There are all sorts of different reasons why car battery terminals may get corroded; electrolyte leak and overcharging are two major culprits.

Fix- Check the terminals of your car battery every now and then… and make sure they remain corrosion-free. Also, ensure the upkeep of connectors, fuses, and wires linked to the battery circuit.

Car Battery Won’t Hold Charge: Effective Remedies

1. Check if the battery has reached its maximum serviceable life. If the battery has outlived its maximum serviceable life (which is usually between three to five years), consider replacing it.
2. If the battery is considerably new and yet not holding a charge, there is a possibility that the alternator has failed. Check the condition of the alternator and if there is a flaw, get it replaced.
3. Check if there is something off with the circuit linking the battery with the rest of the vehicle’s electrical system. If a defective connector, fuse, or wire is found, consider fixing it.
4. Last but not least, to get the most out of your car battery you must provide it with suitable insulating material so that it remains protected against extreme weather conditions.

To Sum Up…

If your car battery is not holding charge, it could be due to one of the following issues;

• Old age
• Continual exposure to extreme temperatures
• Damaged alternator
• Bad connection

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