A car battery is one item in a car that’s very rarely thought about. It’s usually only considered when the engine experiences starting problems or refuses to start at all. As your reliable Ford dealer, we want to prevent you from experiencing the hassle of a dead battery. These are some warnings to watch for that signal you need to visit us for a new car battery.
Check Battery Light Is On
The battery-shaped light on your dash is a warning indicator of a problem with the battery or the electrical charging system. This light will always illuminate when your engine starts and then should switch off. If the light remains on, there’s a problem. Although the light doesn’t specifically identify the battery as the culprit, it is the most common cause of an electrical system problem.
A car battery produces 12 volts of power, which is sufficient to power the starter motor that cranks your engine. This voltage is also enough to power several different systems when your engine is switched off, like the cabin lights, alarm, and others. A worn or damaged battery will supply less than 12 volts, which will trigger the warning light. We’ll test your battery and install a new one if required.
Corroded Battery
If you pop the hood to check your battery, and you see a white, gray, or green salt-like substance around the battery terminals, your battery is corroded. Corrosion is caused by the breakdown of chemicals inside your battery. Sulfuric acid is the main chemical in your battery, and it releases quantities of hydrogen gas as it breaks down.
Hydrogen gas molecules are tiny, and they can easily escape the confines of the battery casing. Once inside the engine, these molecules will combine with sulfur molecules released by gasoline to form hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive and toxic, and this gas is drawn to the battery terminals. It forms an acidic salt around the terminals and begins to corrode them. We can’t fix a corroded battery, but we can install a new one to resolve this problem.
Failing Alternator
A battery only stores electricity: it doesn’t produce any. The electricity the battery uses to start your engine and maintain the electrical system is replenished by the alternator. The alternator is a mini generator that supplies your car’s electrical demands. An alternator will wear out due to damage, and this reduces the amount of electricity it can supply.
A lower electrical supply for your car means the battery won’t fully recharge, and this will cause the battery to slowly run down. If your battery isn’t damaged, we can recharge it. We can also replace a worn alternator to fix this problem.
If you suspect you have a ​battery problem, call us right away at Hutch Ford. Our expertly trained technicians are on-hand and ready to help get you safely back on the road without further delays.
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