How To Fix Car Battery Not Charging?- 7 Easy Fixes!
All modern cars have 12V AGM or Li-ion batteries that power the car’s ignition, audio, navigation, and lighting system.
If your car battery is not charging, it won’t start your engine. Replacing your car battery is worth it if it’s more than 3-4 years old.
But, sometimes, new batteries also face charging issues that can be easily fixed by yourself. This article is for you if your car battery is not charging.
We will discuss some of the most common reasons behind a car battery not charging and how you can fix them.
Why is My Car Battery Not Charging?
A loose or corroded connection is one of the most common reasons for a car battery not charging. The first step to fixing this issue is to clean the terminals and clamps with a wire brush.
Once you have done that, check if the clamps are tight enough. If they are not, use a wrench to tighten them.
If the problem persists, it is most likely due to a faulty alternator. In this case, you will need to take your car to a mechanic for repairs.
Another common reason for a car battery not charging is sulfation. This happens when the lead acid batteries are not used for a long time, and the lead sulfate crystals start to form on the plates.
This reduces the plate’s surface area for reaction, decreasing the battery’s ability to hold a charge.
You must take your car to a mechanic shop for battery desulfation to fix this problem.
How To Fix Car Battery Not Charging?
You can fix the problem of the car battery not charging by yourself with some simple steps. But, if the problem persists, you must take your car to a mechanic.
Follow these steps to fix a car battery charging problems:
1- Check Battery Terminals
The first step is to check the battery terminals. In most cases, problems lie with terminals and wires only.
Open the car bonnet and inspect your battery connections. If the terminals are loose or corroded, clean them with a wire brush and tighten the clamps.
2- Check Alternator Wires
All cars have an alternator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and recharges the battery when your car is running.
But, sometimes, rats cut the alternator wires, and your battery won’t charge.
So, visually inspect the wiring system, and if you find any broken wires, connect them.
3- Check Battery Voltage
If you have checked the terminals and wires, but the problem persists, it’s time to check the battery voltage.
For this, you need a digital voltmeter. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the battery’s positive terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal.
If the reading is below 12 volts, your battery is faulty, and you need to replace it.
4- Jump Start and Accelerate Engine
If you haven’t started your car for over two weeks, your battery will fully discharge. A fully discharged battery takes some time to start charging.
Use a jump starter to start your car engine and accelerate the engine at full speed.
Ensure that it won’t disturb your neighbors and gear is in the neutral position.
5- Tighten the Drive Belt
If the drive belt is loose or broken, your alternator won’t rotate and not charge the battery.
So, inspect the drive belt and replace it with a new one if it’s damaged.
You can do it by yourself if you have some mechanical skills. But it’s better to take help from a professional mechanic.
6- Check Fuses
If the fuses are blown, they can prevent the alternator from charging the battery.
So, check all the fuses, and if you find any blown fuse, replace it with a new one.
7-Take Your Car to the Mechanic
If you have tried all the above methods, but the problem still persists, then it’s time to take your car to a mechanic.
A professional mechanic will check all the electrical components and diagnose the problem. He will also advise you whether to replace the battery or not.
Conclusion
These are some simple methods by which you can fix the problem of the car battery not charging. Try these methods, and if they don’t work, take your car to a mechanic.
