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The easiest and best way is to drive to your nearest auto parts store where they will check it for free. Of course if it will not take a charge it is more than likely bad. After you charge it fully, assuming it will take a charge, it should read 12.6 volts with a digital volt meter. Any less and it is not fully charged. If the battery takes a charge but runs down overnight then it more than likely has a dead cell or something is on drawing power from the battery. Any light or any stuck relay will drain it. If the battery is over 4 years old or has been run down more than once it is probably bad.
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Can a car battery have enough charge to turn the car electrics on but not start the car?
Yes, A car battery can have enough charge to turn on car electrical components but not start the car. This is not much of an indication of a bad battery however. Use a volt meter to test the power in the battery. If the battery seems low put it on a trickle charge. Most modern chargers will tell you if your battery is bad or not. The battery also has to be load tested to determine if it's good or not.
To Test the output of the alternator on a1998 Maxima can you disconnect the neg battery cable?
Start the car and while it is running, disconnect the positive cable from the battery. If the car stalls, the alternator is bad.
Why wont my 99 Ford Contour start if battery and alternator test fine but battery light comes on and EVERY light in the car slowly dies down followed by car turning off?
If alternator and battery test fine- then you may have a bad fusable link not allowing the alternator to charge the battery
Battery light comes on when you try to start car?
If the battery light comes on when you try to start your car, either your battery is low or your alternator is going bad. These can be checked by going to an Advance Auto or Auto Zone, they will test it for you for free.
My battery will not hold a charge with a new alternator?
Here is a test u can do to see if Ur alternator is good or not . when car is running disconnect the negative battery terminal it's the black wire.If car stalls then the alternator is bad if it doesn't stall then it's Ur battery is bad and u have to replace it
Car battery wont charge?
If you can get the vehicle to your local auto parts store, at no cost they can test the charging system and tell you what the problem is, be it a bad battery or alternator or what ever.
Car battery wont hold a charge?
You might have a bad battery or your alternator is not charging the battery.Easy way to do is to take your battery to the auto part store ( Auto zone, Pepboy..) and let them test it for you.If it bad just change it.If it's not then your alternator might be bad.
Can you detect the end of the life of a car battery?
You can do a load test on a battery and compare it to the reserve capacity and cold cranking amps. If it is lower then the ratings then the battery is going bad. Keep in mind that the battery must be charged to its maximum capacity to have an accurate test. Trickle charge on 2 to 6 amps for approx. 6 hours then test battery
Why does your Battery go dead in your 1988 Cadillac?
either the battery is bad or there is an electrical draw in the car. a simple test to check for a short or draw, with a hot battery in the car remove either battery cable but only one place a test light one end on the battery and the other on the removed cable if the test light glows for a second or 2 this is normal , if it glows steady there is a draw in the car , remove the fuses one at a time until the test light goes out , once the light goes out this is the circuit where the problem is located . if the light never goes out then it is most likely bad diodes in the alternator. happy hunting.
Is the car battery bad?
yes
Car battery failed its test?
Then replace it.
Why do the lights dim and voltage drop when slowing down or braking hard in 94 sentra bad alternator?
It may be the battery, if the car is running the alternator should still be good. The battery may not be holding charge and supplying your car with reserve power. I would take you car to the autoparts store and have them test the electrical system. They will do this for free and tell you if the alternator and or battery is bad.
