How to Check Your Car Battery’s Electrical Connection
No one wants to run into a dead car battery. One way to help keep your car battery and electrical system healthy is to take care of some basic at home car maintenance. Whether you’re car savvy or not, it’s easy to keep your car battery clean and check for any signs you may need to schedule an appointment with an auto repair technician.
At Home Car Battery Maintenance is Easy
Most car batteries are easy to locate after popping the hood of your car. However, if you’re having trouble finding your car battery, consult your owner’s manual. This can also tell you what type of car battery you need if you find you need a replacement. After locating your car battery, follow these easy steps to keep your battery connections clean and check for any signs of wear or damage.
1. Disconnect Clamps & Wires from Your Battery’s Terminals
First, make sure your car is not running. Your car battery charges while your car is running, so you should never clean or touch your battery’s connections while the engine is running. Next, disconnect the clamps and wires from your battery’s terminals so that you can examine them separately, starting with the negative cable. This will make it easier to clean any build up.
2. Clean Any Dirt and Corrosion on Your Battery’s Terminals
Grab some baking soda from your kitchen, an old toothbrush or other disposable brush, and a cup of water. Start by sprinkling baking soda on each of the battery terminals, then dip the brush in water before scrubbing at the terminals. This should gently remove any dirt, corrosion, and other build up. Once you’ve scrubbed away as much as you can, rinse it with the remaining water.
3. Make Sure Connecting Cables and Wires, Clamps, and Terminals are in Good Condition
Take a close look at your car battery’s terminals, as well as the connecting clamps and wires. If you notice any terminal damage, corrosion on the clamps, or frayed wires, those problems should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid damaging the electrical system. This can be easily taken care of by a trusted auto repair technician.
4. Dry the Terminals Before Reconnecting Clamps & Wires
Once you’ve determined that the terminals and connections are in good condition, use a lint-free towel or rag to fully dry the terminals before reconnecting the clamps. When reconnecting, you want to start with the positive cable. To help prevent more corrosion from building up on the terminals, you can finish by applying automotive grease or petroleum jelly.
5. Check the Condition of the Battery Case
Finally, you should take a look at the battery case before closing the hood of your car. If you notice any signs of damage, such as cracks, you should replace your car’s battery as soon as possible to avoid more problems.
Have Your Battery Checked at an Auto Repair Shop
If you notice any damage on your car’s battery, terminals, or connecting wires, it’s a good idea to bring your car to an auto repair shop. There, they can also check the overall health of your car’s battery and its ability to hold a charge. Whether you’ve noticed signs of a failing car battery or other electrical system issues, a trusted technician will help ensure your car is always ready to go.
It’s also easy to replace your car battery at home. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct type of battery your car uses, then disconnect the clamps from terminals as in the steps above. Once the clamps are reconnected, try starting your car to test the connections. However, if you aren’t comfortable doing this on your own, you can easily find an auto shop or technician to do it for you.
Worried About Your Car’s Electrical System? Trust AAMCO’s Technicians
When you start experiencing problems with your car’s electrical system and battery, it can be stressful when electrical components stop working the way they should and you may have trouble starting your car. While you may be tempted to just put up with it for a while, it’s a good idea to bring your car to a technician sooner rather than later. Come to any AAMCO location for any total car care service and we’ll ensure your car stays healthy and reliable.
The post How to Check Your Car Battery’s Electrical Connection first appeared on AAMCO Utah Transmission Repair and General Car Repair.
Share
