Automotive Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner

How can I tell if my car battery is “good”?

My car battery is new (1 month old), but the car still won’t start.

But when I jump the car, it starts perfectly.

So its either the battery or the connecting cables to the battery (which look a little worn despite my cleaning them and reviving the copper plates).

The battery shows 12 volts across the + and – sides, but that is without any load.

If I go to Advance Auto, I know their answer before I go –”Its bad.”

How can I test or determine if the car battery is good? I have all kinds of meters –Volt, amp, OBD II, etc.

And by the way, I truly hope you will have a happy holiday despite the economy —

Merry Christmas and happy Channuka

Start by simply checking the battery terminal for tightness when fitted to the battery terminal poles. They should not be able to move or slide with just a very little persuasion force. If they are a tight fit you might want to undo each terminal to check visually for any corrosion on the inner side of the terminals. If they are both clean from sulfur (looks like white powder) and corrosion the next step is to fit them back on and move on to the next testing procedure.

With the engine running, use your voltmeter and see if you get 13.7VDC across the battery terminals. If you do, then the alternator is good. You can also put some electrical load like lights and or hazards on. There will be a slight voltage drop but the alternator should rectify it even with normal idling. Fast idle the car with the loads on (lights or similar) and the alternator should restore the voltage. You may have a short somewhere in the electrical system that is draining the battery over night. You can put an ammeter in series with the battery and the cable and see what you have for a current draw. If it is over an amp, then start pulling fuses one at a time and see which circuit is causing the draw.

With a battery that is only a month old, I doubt if it is bad, especially since you are having a 12V reading. Also check all negative earth straps within the engine bay for tightness, frayed insulation and visual corrosion as you might end up having a voltage leak from these earth paths. Good luck with your diagnosis and hope you will find the fault casualty fast enough before it totally drains your new battery.

A Merry Christmas to and you family too.

Car Battery Problems: How to diagnose the culprit of battery discharge

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