A slow battery drain when everything is off is called parasitic power loss. This happens when anything like a glovebox light, an amplifier, any electrical component is pulling power from the battery when it should not. Since the alternator isn’t generating vehicle electricity, the problem component pulls from the battery, slowly draining it overnight until your vehicle won’t start. If you find this problem happening to your vehicle, come see one of your local Andress specialists to help diagnose the cause and help with the right part.
Slow power drains are inconvenient and annoying, and result in a shorter battery life.
How do you diagnose your battery issue? After your battery is charged, run a test to see if the battery needs to be replaced. Batteries need to be replaced every few years as part of typical maintenance. Your local Andress Auto Parts has the lowest priced batteries in town if you need to replace your current one. Your battery could be near the end of its service life and it should be recycled and replaced with a new one. If the battery test shows that it is still good, then it’s time to start looking at a parasitic power draw. While you’re under the hood or at your local Andress, test the alternator. A failed diode in the alternator creates a closed circuit that drains your battery even when the engine is off. No matter what the problem is, we have the right part for you.
Car battery life can be extended for years. If your battery isn’t at least 2-3 years old, and it seems to have failed, then it might be that it’s not actually dead. Car batteries can lose their charge occasionally, if you don’t drive for a long time, since shorter drives can lead to earlier corrosion and crystalline deposits on the negative terminal of your battery. Cold weather can also be a factor, since most car batteries are less capable of maintaining their charge in these conditions. Make sure you check your battery for damage and corrosion around the terminals, and measure the voltage to see just how much it dropped. Jump starting or using a car battery charger can be the best option. We always recommend keeping a good battery charger around to help with battery drain issues. Come see your local Andress Auto Parts for quality batteries and chargers.
Proper maintenance is the key to extending your cars battery life. If your battery drains faster than normal, it can be because of a faulty alternator or other car components that are not functioning properly. Also, it is possible that corrosion and sulfur deposits can severely impair your battery’s functional capacity. Corrosion generally appears as a fluffy green or white deposit around the positive terminal. This corrosion creates resistance to the flow of electricity and will prevent the battery from accepting or delivering the full charge. Check the car battery frequently for damage and corrosion to avoid being stranded on the road or have to replace your battery prematurely. Light corrosion can easily be cleaned, but if it corrodes too much then the terminal needs to be replaced. Come see us for any battery accessories.