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The car battery drains quickly and causes leakage. Why the car battery discharges quickly - we determine and eliminate the cause. Why does my car battery boil?

Of course, the battery is one of the most important parts of the car. With the help of the battery, which powers the starter, the engine starts and the generator is supported if it cannot cope with the load. In addition, a working battery ensures the operation of the central locking system, alarm system, headlights and other components powered by electricity. Modern car batteries are designed for an average service life of 3–5 years, after which most of them become unusable. Very often the battery can be discharged in very important life situations.

For blondes: this is what a car battery looks like

Appearance of the battery on Lifan Solano: reverse polarity

No matter how powerful and high-quality the battery is, sooner or later its weak points will appear. Therefore, you should not be surprised that after several years of use, the battery in the car will discharge overnight. There are several good reasons for this:

The battery has completed its full cycle.
The engine does not charge.
There is a current leakage ().
Electrical devices in cars are constantly turned on, even when the engine is turned off.
The battery closes ().

Also, another probable cause of discharge is that the car is parked with the engine turned off in the cold for a long time. If the battery is discharged for this reason, it must be taken into a warm room and allowed to warm up, after which it can be charged and used further.

If it’s winter outside, then this material will be useful to you:

How to tell if your battery is dead

To avoid getting into an awkward and even dangerous situation when the battery dies in the middle of the road, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the battery. It is recommended to check the electrolyte density level at least once every three months. This service will be provided by any car service that has a hydrometer, a special device similar to a pipette with a float and scale, which is needed to measure the density of the electrolyte.

So, a charged battery has a density of at least 1.12 g/ml, a half-charged battery has a density of 1.2 g/ml to 1.15 g/ml, a fully discharged battery has a density of electrolytes of 1.28 g/ml .

If a car has a maintenance-free battery, manufacturers install a special warning lamp. When the battery is charged, the lamp lights up green. A red light from the lamp will indicate that the battery is low.

How to open a car with a dead battery

But what to do if the battery is already discharged? If the lock does not respond to signals from the remote control, then only a regular car key and the lock cylinder can save you.

It often happens that the battery runs out in a car with an electronic key. If the battery is dead and there is no way to get into the cabin, then there is no need to panic.

Ask other drivers for permission to use their battery.

The easiest way is to find a ready-made charged battery and several wires 1 to 2 meters long. After this, the car must be placed on a jack so that part of the crater protection can be removed.

You need to independently connect the plus to the most positive terminal of the starter and generator, and the negative wire to any other part that runs on electricity. After connection and successful installation of all wiring, it is recommended to open the car only with the key fob.

How to jumpstart a dead battery from another car

If it is not possible and time to charge the battery in the car in the traditional way, you can start the car using the cigarette lighter. This method is popularly called “lighting”. To “light up” you need to place two cars with the hood facing each other. Next, you need to connect the batteries of both cars in parallel (plus-plus, minus-minus). After this, you need to light the engine of the other car and wait about 10 minutes so that the dead battery is charged, at least for a short time. After this operation, you can start the car with a newly charged battery.

Start the engine using towing

This method of starting the engine with a discharged battery is suitable only for those cars with a manual transmission.

Towing: one of the most common ways to start a car in an emergency

To charge the battery in a car with the help of a tow, you need to perform some actions: the car accelerates in neutral gear, after which you need to turn on the ignition and press the clutch. When the engine is started, you need to depress the clutch, disengage the gear and stop towing a little.

Old battery: what to do?

If the battery has been in use for more than five years, then it is likely that with the onset of the first frosts, interruptions in the operation of the battery will begin. If the battery is completely discharged in the cold, it is better to immediately go for diagnostics.

If the old battery is classified as serviceable, then it can be “reanimated” by adding electrolyte and charging the battery.

Battery leakage

When the battery discharges overnight, you need to check why this is happening. It is not difficult to determine that there is still a current leak if you know basic physics and basic skills in working with an ammeter. It is much more difficult to find the exact location of the area where the leak is observed.

To do this, you need to remove the negative terminal from the battery and use an ammeter to measure the current between the negative terminal of the battery and the removed terminal. If the ammeter shows that the leakage level is above 80 mA, then this is a very big problem and at the same time a signal to everyone that it is necessary to do maintenance for a long time.

Forgotten appliances left on

It often happens that when you turn off the engine, you automatically forget that you also need to turn off the side lights, the radio, and other devices.

Electrical consumers with their constant operation lead to the fact that the battery begins to discharge at a rapid pace. If this is an unfortunate exception rather than an unfortunate rule, there is nothing irreparable in this regard. To restore the battery's performance, you just need to recharge it so that it works in its usual mode again.

The battery is one of the most insidious sources of problems in a car. The suspension will warn you in advance about its breakdown, the engine will burn oil, the wheel hubs will buzz, and so on. But the battery usually “gets sick” suddenly. It would seem that it started up just yesterday, but today it doesn’t. The battery itself does not always need to be blamed for this; it is often hostage to a combination of circumstances or mistakes of the car owner. Our task is to understand where these circumstances and errors come from.

Battery age

But the first reason is still related to the battery. Everything, including batteries, has its own service life. It is difficult to predict how long a battery will last; for some they “die” in 2-3 years, for others they can last for ten years. On average, today 5-6 years is considered normal. Battery aging is understandable from a chemical point of view. At this age, the battery begins to be particularly affected by a process called sulfation. Simply put, this is the accumulation of lead sulfate on the plates, due to which the “working” area of the plates is reduced and the battery capacity decreases. It is believed that in old age the battery loses up to a third of its former capacity. And if so, then you can recharge it even every day, by the next morning there will still not be enough charge.

It is impossible to completely overcome the overgrowth of plates with lead; this process is inevitable, but you can influence its speed by following the operating recommendations.

1. Avoid short runs. Of course, when you have a car, it is stupid to put its “needs” above your own, but there is nothing extraordinary in avoiding frequent starts and short trips whenever possible. If you need to go to a store 500 meters from your home, is it really necessary to go there by car? To start the engine you will spend batteries, which then it will not be able to replenish from the generator due to a very short operating time. The more often you repeat this, the more the battery plates become overgrown with lead.

2. Avoid deep discharges. This is already 100% the driver’s fault. I forgot to turn off the headlights, the tape recorder and even the emergency lights (if for a long time) and the battery was discharged to zero. This in itself is a cause of discharge and an excellent catalyst for sulfation. Of course, the battery can be recharged, and it will still work, maybe even work for a long time, but its potential resource has already been damaged. Especially if the battery is maintenance-free.

3. Avoid long periods of downtime. The optimal mode for a battery is when it is used more or less regularly, but downtime almost inevitably leads to discharge and sulfation. If for some reason it is not possible to operate the car, then you can simply periodically recharge the battery in the network charger. This will avoid discharge.

4. For owners, maintenance batteries need to be checked regularly amount of electrolyte and add it as needed to prevent contact of the plates with air.

This is advice for the future, so to speak, but is it possible to do something if the battery plates are already overgrown with lead? Can. The operation is called desulfation. For owners of serviced batteries, both chemical and electrical methods are available. The chemical method is based on the use of the drug Trilon B and is very simple - you need to pour the old electrolyte out of the jars, pour in the Trilon B solution, wait an hour, drain the solution, rinse a couple of times with distilled water, and pour in fresh electrolyte. Trilon B makes insoluble metal salts soluble, so lead is literally washed off from the plates - the battery capacity is restored. Trilon B itself costs about 300 rubles per 500 grams of powder, is highly soluble in water and can be useful in the automotive industry not only for desulfation - it is also used to flush the cooling system. If you have a serviceable battery, this is a real and inexpensive way to extend its life.

If the battery is maintenance-free, then all that remains is to use the electrical method, which is based on charge-discharge cycles. The process is very simple, but takes a lot of time. You need to charge the battery with a weak current, approximately 0.8-1 ampere and a voltage of 14 volts. Charging lasts 8 hours, after which there is a break for 12 hours. Then charging again, but with a current of 2-2.5 amperes. And again a break. Now the battery needs to be discharged - significantly, but not to zero. A high beam lamp turned on for 6-8 hours is good for this purpose. Then the procedure needs to be repeated 2-3 times, you can control the amount by voltage. The battery capacity should then increase. Sometimes everything takes up to two weeks, especially if you have another battery and you can drive a car with another battery.

Of course, there are special devices that can operate in charge-discharge mode, without manipulating the lamp, but they themselves are expensive - around 7,000 rubles, it’s cheaper to buy a new battery. It pays off only if there are many cars in the family or with long-term use.

Problems with battery charging

Another possible reason has nothing to do with the battery itself, but with the vehicle's electrical system. If the battery is not recharged properly, it will not last long. Normal is at least 13 volts with consumers turned on. If it is less, then you need to look for the reason. We have already devoted a lot of material to this topic, in which we outlined possible generator breakdowns and methods for repairing it. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will simply provide a link to.

Leakage current

Another insidious point that can creep up suddenly. It seems that the battery is new, and the charging is excellent, but the car will still turn into “real estate” if the current runs out while the car is standing still. There is always a small expense for clocks, alarms and other equipment, the viability of which must be maintained even when the ignition is turned off. Another question is the size of the leak.

If you suddenly find a car with an “empty” battery, and there seems to be nothing to indicate this, then we’ll get it checked. It's easy to do.

1. On a car with the ignition off, turn off all obvious consumers (headlights, tape recorder, ...).

2. Remove the negative terminal from the battery.

3. Using a multimeter in current measurement mode, we measure between the battery negative and the terminal.

If the resulting value is less than 70 mA, then you don’t have to worry about the leak, but if it’s more, then you need to look for the culprit and the cause. It’s easier to deal with the culprit; there is one tricky way - keep the multimeter turned on between the terminal and the “minus” of the battery, ask a friend to pull out the fuses one by one. In theory, removing one of the fuses should sharply reduce the value on the multimeter dial. All that remains is to use the reference book to determine what exactly this fuse is responsible for.

The cause of the leak is more difficult, even if there is an understanding of who is causing it. The reasons are usually divided into two parts - poor connection and problems in the device itself. The terminals could oxidize, the wire insulation could be damaged, or unsoldered strands could crumble. The consumer may have a short circuit or a problem with setup and control. In most modern cars, when the ignition is turned on, the current supply to consumers stops, however, additional equipment (music, alarms, rear view cameras) is often mounted with a direct connection. Yes, this is convenient during operation (you can listen to the same music without a key in the ignition, but it leads to problems if the “counterparty” starts acting up. So you need to deal with leaks, firstly, by checking and changing the wiring to the problematic unit, -secondly, diagnosing him himself.

Switched on electrical appliance

A fairly obvious reason, but for the sake of completeness it cannot be ignored - if you forget to turn off the headlights, or leave the car for a long time with the hazard lights or multimedia system on, then the battery was somehow not healthy, it will still be discharged. Here the driver can only fight his own absent-mindedness. If this does not help, install a relay with automatic shutdown using a timer.

Temperature conditions

Finally, it might just be cold. It is estimated that when the temperature drops by 1 degree, the capacity drops by 1 mAh; even a young and full-strength battery may not survive a night at -30°C or lower. If you need to go somewhere in the morning, then it’s better not to tempt fate and take the battery to a warmer place for the night. If low frosts are a feature of your region, then there is another option - buy or sew a special case yourself with which you can cover the battery (alternatively, use). This, of course, is not a panacea, but even the heat that the case retains may be enough so that the battery does not discharge so quickly.

According to statistics, the battery life on the latest generation models has increased. If previously batteries rarely survived more than three or four years, today many car owners talk about five, seven and even nine years of operation. But for this, the car owner himself needs to be careful - to operate the car correctly, not to allow a discharge due to his mistakes, and to promptly respond to breakdowns of “adjacent” devices - the generator or consumers. Then there is practically no chance that the battery will suddenly discharge.

Elimination of technical malfunctions of a car should not be postponed “for later”, because losing your favorite means of transportation for a long time is a test that is quite difficult for a real car enthusiast to withstand. Moreover, in our time, it is quite possible to find a malfunction and try to fix it yourself; numerous websites for motorists provide detailed information about the operating principles of each component of the car, its possible breakdowns and repairs. Let's today understand the principle of operation of the battery and the main problems associated with it, which often arise during the operation of the car.

The design of a car battery is quite simple: the body of a device with a nominal voltage of 12 volts contains 6 independent battery cells connected in series with each other with a voltage of 2 volts. Acid-resistant plastics or hard rubber are used as materials for the manufacture of the body and separators that separate the jars from a set of differently polarized plates. The case has compartments in which battery banks are installed.

The pole plate is a lead grid with fragments of a porous structure pressed into the cells, which allows increasing the contact area with the electrolyte. To produce the active porous substance, lead powder and sulfuric acid are used. The material used to make the negative plates additionally contains barium sulfate.

During the formation of the battery, the plates are charged, the active component in the positive plates is converted into lead dioxide, and in the negative plates it acquires a spongy structure.

Prepared battery jars are filled with electrolyte, which is a mixture of distilled water and sulfuric acid. The operation of the battery begins when the load is connected - this action sets charged particles in motion, resulting in the generation of current.

As a rule, car batteries are lead-acid devices with a voltage of 12 volts; models differ in charge capacity.

Among the main requirements for modern batteries:

compactness
ability to produce high currents
ease of maintenance
minimum internal voltage drop
low self-discharge during operation

All these requirements are sufficiently met by lead-acid batteries.

Three types of electric batteries are used in the modern automotive industry:

lead-acid, the most common due to its affordable cost,
lithium-ion, which appeared quite recently, is a truly revolutionary invention that is surprisingly quickly conquering the market, the product is very promising, as it is ideal for installation on electric vehicles
iron-nickel lamella-free, distinguished by high technical qualities, but due to its high cost, it was produced in limited quantities and was used to a greater extent in military engineering.

Considering the demand for battery devices in the automotive industry, active work is underway to improve them, for example:

the use of a silicon-based gel electrolyte to eliminate water loss and improve performance
electronic diagnostic chips - made it possible to fine-tune the operation of each can
the use of graphite and carbon base - to significantly lighten the battery and reduce its size.

Why does a car need a battery?

It is very difficult to imagine a modern car without a battery - thanks to it, power is provided to the electrical control circuits and on-board circuit services when the engine is turned off.

During engine operation, the battery connected to the generator represents a load, but at the moment when the total load created in the electrical circuit begins to exceed the power supplied by the generator, the battery turns into a source of electricity, helping to maintain 12 volt voltage in the on-board network.

But the main task of the battery is to activate the starter when starting the car.

Attempts to replace the car battery with pneumatic engine starting devices and capacitor storage devices have failed.

But despite the apparent prosperity, modern storage devices are still not without drawbacks, including:

the number of their discharge-charge cycles is limited
the plates are subject to irreversible sulfation processes, which leads to a significant decrease in the capacity of the device and a decrease in its service life
low level of mechanical strength of electrodes,
the possibility of shedding of the electrode mass and destruction of the separator, as a result - the threat of short circuits of the anode and cathode
possibility of loss of performance due to long-term storage in a discharged state

Considering all the above factors, it can be assumed that problems with car batteries during operation are not a rare occurrence. Therefore, it makes sense to consider the issue in more detail.

Reasons for the rapid discharge of a used battery

Often there are problems with the battery draining too quickly. You can monitor the performance of the battery in a modern car by watching indicators that show the density of the electrolyte and the charge level.

But these devices can only be used to navigate approximately. The battery charging light on the instrument panel may be more informative. When you turn on the ignition, a light that looks like a battery should light up and go out immediately.

An alarm signal will be the glow of this light when the engine is on - experts recommend checking the operation of the indicator, it is recommended to stop using the car until the exact cause of the breakdown is determined.

Depending on your own knowledge in the field of repair and desire, you can deal with the situation yourself or contact the service center specialists.

The approximate service life of a car battery is 3-5 years, its duration is determined by the quality of the device and operating conditions.

The situation when problems with the battery begin creates a lot of inconvenience for the car owner, i.e. a decision on repairs will need to be made immediately. Where should you start your search?

Broken electrical wiring, how to find and fix it

make sure there are no oxidized sections of wiring, broken or frayed wires
examine the integrity of the connecting terminals.

Next, we check the battery power - in some cases, a dilapidated device with an increase in power cannot be completely discharged, a powerful one can be recharged with excess energy, which negatively affects functionality.

The battery electrolyte does not meet the requirements, how to find and fix it

When inspecting the battery, make sure that the electrolyte has not changed color. Darkened liquid is a clear symptom of plate detachment; in this case, replacing the battery is mandatory.

The reason for this phenomenon may be the operation of batteries charged at 50-60% for a long time.

Destruction of the battery case can occur due to exposure of a discharged battery to too low temperatures (freezing).

When checking the operation of the generator, it may turn out that it is not charging well. The usual reason for a decrease in charging voltage lies in the weakened tension of the generator drive belt.

It should be noted that the acceleration of wear and tear due to violation of operating rules can be so strong that battery failure can occur during the warranty period.

The battery model does not suit the car, how to determine and fix it

The cause of a car malfunction may also be that the battery model does not match the characteristics of the car on which it is installed; the generated power may not be enough to complete the entire amount of work.

It should be taken into account that when used under the same conditions, a battery with a larger capacity will last longer. The starting current indicator is very important for car batteries, i.e. How much current can a battery produce at low temperatures in 30 seconds. It is required for the starter at the moment of starting. The main difference between car batteries is their ability to deliver high currents; traction batteries, even with large capacities, cannot deliver such current.

Battery power does not match, how to determine and eliminate

When choosing a battery, you should definitely take into account the capacity recommended by the manufacturers; installing units with a higher or lower capacity is not recommended. As a last resort, you can resort to installing a battery with a capacity exceeding the recommended one by no more than 15%, otherwise charging will not occur in normal mode, resulting in a reduction in service life and problems with starting the engine.

Using a battery with insufficient capacity can cause problems with starting the engine; operating at the limit of its capabilities will significantly shorten the life of the device.

Some useful tips in the video:

The battery is overcharged, how to determine and fix it

Car enthusiasts encounter recharging problems quite often. The problem is that a sufficiently charged battery does not stop charging even when the electrolyte reaches the required density. Continuing the charging process leads to the fact that the aqueous part of the electrolyte breaks down into its components: oxygen and hydrogen, the “boiling” process begins, and the amount of water included in the electrolyte will decrease. This is roughly what a classic recharging of a storage device looks like.

Boiling with evaporation will inevitably lead to a decrease in the electrolyte level, which is quite dangerous for the battery: if an incomplete charge simply does not allow the car to start, then overcharging can cause the battery to explode.

Overcharging can occur if the operation of the relay regulating the charge of the generator is disrupted, i.e. when it reaches 12.7 Volts, it will not turn off the power supply from the generator. If the relay breaks down, the charging process will continue continuously, given the currents that will flow from the generator, there is no doubt that the battery will boil quickly enough. Elimination of the breakdown is carried out by replacing the relay; it is inexpensive.

If there is no doubt about the normal operation of the generator and relay, you should make sure that the sensor is functioning normally; it, like any other mechanism, can fail and give distorted readings.

It is imperative to look for the cause of overcharging and eliminate it in a timely manner; a negligent attitude to the problem can cause:

boiling and splashing of the electrolyte, resulting in oxidation of the terminals, damage to the body metal, wires,
exposure and then shedding of lead plates, which can lead to the final death of the battery,
an explosion, as a result of which acid will fall on the entire engine compartment of the car.
failure of fuses, because they are not designed for 17 volts,
heating of the relay, up to melting; in some cases, this phenomenon can cause a fire or melting of the wiring.

It should be noted that a controlled recharging process is sometimes deliberately resorted to in order to increase the density of the electrolyte to an optimal level, an indicator of 1.27 g per cubic cm will eliminate the possibility of it freezing when the temperature drops to sub-zero values.

The generator is faulty, how to find and fix it

The generator can also fail; such a breakdown can be assumed if the relay was replaced with a new one, but the problem did not go away. Repairing or replacing a generator is a more complex procedure and will require time and money.

If you lack skills and deep knowledge on the topic, it will be easier to contact an experienced technician from the service center.

Watch a video on how to check the generator:

Reasons for rapid discharge of a new battery, reasons, how to find and eliminate

Over time, the quality of the battery may decrease, this is a natural process, but a new battery can also discharge too quickly.

The search for causes should begin by checking the electrical wiring; for this you can use a regular voltmeter. You will need to compare the voltage readings on the generator and battery with the engine running.

Undercharging will be indicated by different voltages, for example: on the generator 14 V, on the battery - 13.5.

You can correct the situation by cleaning the contacts.

If, when the voltage changes at the generator contacts, the readings are less than 14 V, this will indicate a breakdown of the generator. What you can do yourself in this case is to determine the length of the brushes; it should be at least 8 mm.

If you do not have deep knowledge in the field of automotive electricals, then for further diagnosis of the breakdown and its elimination, it is better to contact specialists at a service center.

If the voltage is higher than 14 V, the battery will be overcharged.

If the battery is dead, what should the driver do?

When trying to start the car, it was discovered that the battery was dead, what should the driver do in such cases?

The most reliable option is to stop a car passing by and ask for help, namely, connect your car to its battery.

But not all modern vehicles are equipped to perform such a procedure - access to the battery may be limited.

The second option is to purchase a special battery charger; you will need:

unscrew the plugs
connect the device to the battery and set the current to 10% of the battery volume
monitor the readings of the charge volume sensor.

The third option is to ask someone to tow you or try to start the engine with a push.

The simplest and most reliable option is to purchase and install a new battery.

How to extend battery life

Several useful tips from experienced drivers will help extend the life of the storage device:

You shouldn’t keep the lights on unless you need to
all electrical and electronic on-board devices, including alarm systems, must be connected correctly
for those who often get stuck in traffic jams - remember that the battery is recharged if the number of revolutions is more than 1500, it is advisable to turn off all electronic devices half an hour before the expected complete stop of the car.

Since the battery is sensitive to the negative effects of vibration, the quality of its fastening should be checked, if not monthly, then at least once every couple of months.

The battery case must be clean; for preventive purposes, it should be periodically wiped with a rag moistened with ammonia; a soft brush can be used to clean the terminals.

If you plan to stop traveling for some time and leave the car unattended, the battery can be disconnected from the on-board electrical circuit. This point is especially important in frosty weather.

In cold weather, it is not recommended to use a discharged battery, because in winter the load on it increases significantly. Also, do not forget that short trips (such as from and to work) do not provide the opportunity to fully charge the battery.

If the cooled engine does not start the first time, do not rush to try again, wait a couple of minutes. The duration of the starter operation should not exceed 15 seconds.

To save the starter from the need to turn transmission gears in oil frozen from cold, it is recommended to depress the clutch pedal to the maximum before starting.

Long-term storage of a discharged battery accelerates the process of destruction of its plates.

in winter - at least once every two months
in warm weather - once every 3 months.

How to find and order the necessary tools and equipment for car repairs on Aliexpress at a reasonable price and free shipping

Since no one can insure against the occurrence of any minor malfunctions in the car during a trip, it is best to always have with you a set of the simplest repair tools, indicators and measuring instruments.

You can buy all the necessary spare parts for your car, accessories and equipment using the services of sellers who offer their products on the website.

To get started, you will need to go through a very simple registration procedure.

Then - select the required section - Cars and motorcycles, then - specify your request, for example - select the category Spare parts for cars.

To simplify the search process and quickly get to the desired product, you will need to select a subcategory and use the filters offered by the resource.

We clarify that we are only interested in products with free delivery and select the necessary products. We study its characteristics, if questions arise, you can contact the seller for clarification.

An important point - when choosing a product, pay attention to the length of time the seller has been working on the site and the presence of positive reviews.

After making sure that the seller is reliable, you can indicate the number of units of products, indicate the delivery address and proceed to payment.

How to properly buy auto parts and accessories on video:

Sometimes motorists are faced with such a simple problem when the battery quickly discharges. This usually happens overnight when nothing is working in the car and it is just sitting in the garage or parked. But there are situations when the battery may be discharged for other reasons. This is exactly what will be discussed below.

Battery function

This device is one of the most important parts in a car. It performs the following functions:

battery - that is, it supports the life of the car’s lights if the engine is turned off, and also helps to start the engine;
amplifier - that is, it supports the operation of the generator if the latter cannot cope with the load that is placed on it when the car is moving and using a large number of lighting fixtures.

A rechargeable battery, simply put, is a complex device that consists of 6 cans, containers, each of which produces a voltage of 2 volts (together 12 volts), and thanks to lead plates coated with a special coating, as well as electrolyte (acid), it is capable of create and accumulate current.

Therefore, when a car battery is discharged, the reasons that contribute to this must be urgently eliminated, since a discharged device will not allow the car to start on time, or the driver will have to urgently look for a charger, or worse, buy a new battery.

In fact, a car battery cannot charge itself, but under certain conditions it loses its capacity and the driver, trying to start his car, will not be able to do so. To prevent this from happening, you need to understand the reasons why your car battery drains quickly.

The reasons why this happens are different, and if you know about them, you can insure yourself against such surprises.

It is important to know that each car has its own power and therefore requires an appropriate battery. Some manufacturers skimp on this requirement, so they install batteries of low quality or insufficient power in their cars. Therefore, when buying a car, you need to take this issue into account, and accordingly select the battery according to the make and power of the car.

The main reasons why the battery discharges and their elimination

When answering the question why the battery is discharged, the following reasons need to be highlighted.

Long service life. Manufacturers of this product indicate that a car battery works normally for 3-4 years, after which irreversible processes of destruction of the lead plates begin in it. If there is such a reason, then the solution to this problem is a new battery.
Faulty car wiring. This is the most common reason why this electrical capacity discharges very quickly. To solve it, you will need to determine the fault in the electrical circuit. This process is not complicated, but will be discussed in more detail below.
Driver forgetfulness. This reason also applies to frequent cases and is as follows. After the car is placed in the garage or parked, the engine is turned off and the generator stops working. Some drivers forget that the radio or lighting devices (for example, dimensions), while working, can discharge this device, as they continue to consume the electrical energy that has accumulated in it. To prevent this from happening, the car owner must be careful to turn off all devices after parking his horse in the parking lot or garage.
Faulty alarm. This is also a common cause of all troubles when this security element can discharge it overnight.
Problems with the generator or starter. This device not only performs the function of the car’s power plant, but also serves to constantly recharge the battery. Its incorrect operation leads to the fact that a normal battery, even after charging, discharges itself, because in fact, when the car is driven, it completely supplies all systems of the car with electrical energy. This problem can be eliminated only after the generator itself or the starter are put in order. This will also be discussed in more detail.
Shedding of lead plates. This reason may occur if, when charging the battery, the electrolyte boils away and a new one is not added. To prevent this from happening, the driver must carefully monitor this.
Winter time . With the onset of cold weather, the battery can also discharge during the night, since at temperatures below 15 degrees, it begins to lose voltage. Moreover, with each degree below zero, the amount of energy lost is equal to 10th of the battery capacity. That's why the battery drains overnight. To prevent this from happening, experts recommend removing it and placing it in a warm room.

This is why the battery drains quickly.

A new battery can also run out when idle, in all of the above cases, with the exception of a long service life.

Troubleshooting

How to eliminate some issues of rapid battery discharge was discussed above, but in some cases, this requires a more detailed consideration.

First common reason, this is the generator or starter of the car.

Answering the question whether the starter can drain the battery, it should be noted that yes, and this is one of the most common reasons. To eliminate it, you need to follow the following algorithm.

The first thing you need to check is whether the cord connecting the starter to the engine is tight. This is a common reason why the battery is not fully charged.
The next step is to check the operation of the starter itself. In order for the battery to recharge correctly, it must produce 16 volts at the output. Knowing how many volts the current decreases or increases, you can find out the reason. If, when measuring it with a special device, it turns out that, for example, 14 volts are going to the battery, then the battery is not being fully recharged. Also, there are situations when the starter produces a current of more than 16 volts. This leads to boiling of the electrolyte and shedding of the coating of the lead plates. What to do in this case? There is only one piece of advice: either repair or replace the starter or generator.

Another reason for the discharge of both new and old batteries is faulty electrical wiring. This problem occurs when the machine is used for a long time.

To eliminate this problem, you need to find out to what voltage the wiring decreases (leakage). The reason for this may be old contacts that have oxidized, an open circuit, or an intermittent short circuit.

Speaking about how to detect an electricity leak, we can say that a special device, a voltmeter, is used for this. It connects to the wires when the motor is running. The entire electrical wiring of the machine is called until the problem is found and fixed. But it is better to entrust this to a specialist if the driver is not well versed in electricity.

Is it possible to restart the battery?

Of course, when problems with the battery are identified, some car enthusiasts are interested in the question of how to restore the battery.

This can only be done if it is new, or whose service life does not exceed 2 years. Restoration will occur only by adding electrolyte, as well as carefully checking its color.

For example, if the electrolyte in the battery is black or rich brown, it means that the lead elements have been destroyed. This is an alarming sign that indicates that you need to buy a new battery.

The next way to restore a new battery is to charge it properly. Knowing how long it takes for the battery to discharge, as well as the maximum current, you need to select a charger that will provide 7% of the battery capacity and connect it for charging. You will need to turn it off 3-4 hours after the electrolyte boils.

It is important to know that the battery charging process itself should last until the electrolyte in it begins to boil. This does not mean that the liquid in it has heated up, just that electrolysis has begun in it, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.

If the battery quickly loses its charge, then you need to pay close attention to your car and eliminate the causes. They can be different, from driver inattention to faulty electrical wiring or the car’s generator.

Car enthusiasts quite often encounter the problem of battery discharge. For reasons unknown to many car owners, the battery can be discharged in a matter of days. And even long trips do not fully charge the battery. Let's consider the possible reasons for battery discharge:

Old battery

90% of batteries on the Russian market are maintenance-free, so a “load plug” (a special device for testing battery power) is perhaps the only tool with which an auto electrician can check the performance of a battery. If the problem of battery discharge is an exhausted resource, then further diagnostics of the vehicle's electrical system is not required. The service life of maintenance-free batteries is usually no more than three years. In other cases, the battery can be reanimated by replacing the electrolyte, flushing the battery and then charging. Also, rapid battery wear can be caused by climates with sudden temperature changes. In the climatic conditions of Russia, such fluctuations exceed seventy degrees, which is detrimental to any battery, regardless of its cost and country of origin.
In case of battery failure, it may well help. An auto electrician will either help you get to your destination, or replace the battery with a new one at the site of the breakdown.

Signaling

The cause of battery discharge can be car alarms, especially satellite ones. If the car is not used, the satellite alarm will drain any battery within two weeks. An incorrectly installed alarm system can also create problems with rapid battery discharge. In such cases, the anti-theft system is dismantled by an auto electrician to further check the electrical circuit. An experienced electrician will quickly determine where the current leak is occurring. If diagnostics reveal that the alarm system itself has defects, then it is most advisable to replace it with a new one. Nowadays, many car services offer to repair faulty car alarms, but such an offer must be accepted carefully and only from trusted car repair shops. Otherwise, you may be disappointed a second time. The most common case after car alarm repair is a radio frequency failure, the consequence of which is the loss of the signal, and, accordingly, the alarm control.
If you have problems with your car alarm - you can’t turn it on/off, get into the car or start the engine, no need to rush and order a service. You should first consult with a technical assistance specialist - perhaps the fault can actually be fixed on the spot, saving time, money and nerves.

Non-original speaker systems

When tuning car audio, rarely does anyone think about the colossal load of installed acoustics on all electrical components of the car. A standard car audio tuning kit includes: a storage device, an amplifier, a subwoofer, a radio, sometimes a TV, a set of speakers, sometimes a TV and copper wiring that can withstand the power of a full-fledged power plant. With such a set of generated energy there is simply not enough, the generator is not able to supply the car with the required amount of electricity, as a result of which the battery discharges. When installing speaker systems, it is better to consult with an experienced auto electrician, since with the help of small mathematical calculations you can determine what load your generator will withstand, or solve the problem by installing a more powerful generator and an additional battery.
Auto repairmen do not carry out such work on site, but offer to order a tow truck to transport the car to the workshop.

Generator

Alternator breakdown is one of the most common causes of rapid battery discharge, and this trouble does not lend itself to statistics and can overtake you when leaving the car dealership in a newly purchased car. This cause of discharge is usually determined only after diagnosing the vehicle's electrical wiring. Don't be too upset about a generator failure. This damage is not that significant. The generator can be repaired, bought a similar used one, or purchased a new one at the nearest specialized auto parts store. The most common cause of generator failure is the failure of the voltage regulator relay. Quite often, the graphite brushes on generators wear out, in some cases the bearings break, and the diode bridge fails. This can happen even on a new car due to faulty wiring.
Repairing a generator is, in most cases, a service job, so in such situations, the dispatcher of the on-site technical assistance service, as a rule, offers to transport the faulty car on a tow truck to a car repair shop.

Malfunction of electrical components

In rare cases, a breakdown related to the car’s electrical system cannot be found immediately. Modern cars have a complex electrical wiring system, and troubleshooting can take days. Very often, some electronic elements that work in conjunction with similar, but responsible for completely different functions fail, and if one, not so important, element fails, all others responsible for the entire electronics of the car may fail. Sometimes such a breakdown is especially difficult to find. Many auto electricians have had to deal with the simple oxidation of just one contact located on the engine control unit, but blocking the entire operation of the car. In such cases, computer diagnostics of the car are powerless and the fault must be identified visually and repaired manually. If there is a need for auto electrical repairs, it is better to contact professional technicians who have been specializing in such work for several years.
On most cars, standard electrical breakdowns occur, accompanied by the same malfunctions, and in the case of a common breakdown, almost any professional auto electrician who arrives on a call can make a diagnosis in a matter of minutes with further elimination of the problem or an offer to transport the car on a tow truck to a car service center if troubleshooting requires conditions auto repair shop and service equipment.