You count on your car’s battery to get the job done in all kinds of weather and all around the clock. But if the battery isn’t working properly, that’s a big problem. Keeton Auto Repair wants you to know these signs of possible battery issues so you can be prepared.
Random Accessories Aren’t Functional
Your car’s electrical system has sort of a hierarchy of where the power goes. The first systems to call “dibs” are the ones that keep the car itself running. That means that some of the accessories that you’re used to using in your car all the time, like a GPS device or your phone charger, might start to act a little bit odd or not work at all. This can happen even if you’re not noticing other issues at all.
It’s Tough to Get Your Car Going
Your battery is the superhero when it comes to starting your car. All by itself, it sends your car the juice it needs to turn over and get everything running, including the alternator. The alternator returns the favor by sending power back to the battery to keep it charged. It’s a great system, when it’s all working right. When the battery is running low, though, it gets harder and harder to get your car started.
And Then it’s Impossible to Start the Car
Until eventually, you can’t start the car at all. That’s when you know that your car’s battery is in trouble for sure. Little things, like the overhead light when you open the car door, might still turn on but weakly. At this stage, you may find that you can jumpstart the car and get everything running again. You might even be okay for a little while after you jumpstart the car.
You’ve Been Jumpstarting Your Car Recently
But here’s the thing. Having to jumpstart your car isn’t really a full solution. It’s a symptom of more trouble. If you’ve had to jumpstart your car a few times recently, you really do need to get your battery tested. It’s also possible that there are other problems, such as a failing alternator. Continuing to jumpstart your car is not a sustainable situation.
Want help diagnosing your battery issues? Keeton Auto Repair in Overland Park, KS can help. Give us a call today and we can set up an appointment to test your car’s electrical system and let you know exactly what’s going on.
