Ecobat Battery is reminding readers of PMM of the importance of discovering the root cause of a problem before proceeding with a replacement.
As workshops are very aware, many of the problems that vehicles are brought to them to resolve, are very often caused by faults with other components or glitches within systems, so it’s these underlying issues that need to be discovered and subsequently put right, before technicians are able to successfully complete a repair.
Although diagnosis of this kind is accepted to be a necessary part of the job for many repairs, battery-related analysis is still very often overlooked and a faulty or discharged battery simply swapped, without any proactive consideration as to why it might have failed. While replacement might fix the immediate problem, failure to understand why it failed may mean that simply replacing the battery merely provides a temporary fix, after which, the fault will return.
Irrespective of the powertrain, a 12-volt battery is almost always at the heart of a vehicle’s electrical system, powering many of its related functions, but, in common with every other component, they have a natural service life, after which their performance will deteriorate and eventually they will fail. However, Ecobat Battery, the UK’s largest battery distributor, is encouraging technicians to be inquisitive and ask themselves why the battery is discharged, for example, and follow a simple step-by-step guide to make sure that battery replacement is a first-time fix, not an ongoing saga.
As it is likely that the vehicle will be brought in by the driver themselves, start by asking how regularly it is driven, typically for how long and what type of journeys does it generally take, around town or on the open road, for example. This will reveal whether the battery should be getting a decent amount of charge on a regular basis, or if it is usually using more power starting the engine, than it gets back from the alternator.
Assuming the initial problem is reported as a ‘flat battery’, instead of just checking the voltage, which is likely to be around 12-volts (the rate that constitutes a fully discharged battery), the battery should be charged and its state of health (SOH) tested to find out whether it can still hold a charge. If it can, it is a good indication that there is another underlying issue that is causing the battery to discharge, rather than it just reaching the end of its life. Also, consider its age, because under normal circumstances, even a reasonable quality battery should last two or three years.
If the SOH is okay, then begin with the obvious things such as the condition of, and how secure, are the battery cables and terminal clamps, and whether there is any corrosion evident, because any of these factors could be impeding the charging process.
If everything there is in order, then it could be a problem with the alternator that is affecting its charging performance. So, it should be tested to assess whether it is operating to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
Check all possible causes of battery drain
Parasitic drains are a persistent problem, so look for any aftermarket additions, such as alarm systems or daytime running lights etc. that might not have been installed correctly, or for simple issues like the light in the boot, glove box or under the bonnet staying on.
In more modern vehicles, updates to apps can be the cause of considerable electrical demand and combined with a vehicle that has been used infrequently or only for multiple short journeys, this could bring the battery’s state of charge to a potentially problematically low level.
If none of these potential issues can be identified as the cause of the battery problem and its SOH is found to be low, then its replacement is unavoidable, but even in this instance, questions should be asked and procedures followed.
First, rather than simply replacing it with an equivalent battery, make sure it matches the VM’s specification for the make and model by using a resource such as the Ecobat Battery battery finder. The only normal exceptions to this rule are if the vehicle covers an unusually low annual mileage, or is fitted with additional, non-original electrical equipment, both of which could mean it requires a higher capacity battery. In these instances, consulting with a battery expert, such as Ecobat Battery, is crucial.
Second, after the correct battery has been identified, workshops need to offer the most suitable option for their customers’ needs, which might vary depending on their annual mileage or the distance of their typical journeys etc. and could therefore make a difference in the battery technology to go for – SLI, EFB or AGM, as examples. Once this has been established, it is always wise to encourage them to opt for the best quality replacement for such an important component, as they won’t want to experience the same issue again.
Third, make sure the replacement battery is fully charged before its installation, as missing this simple step can have serious repercussions, particularly if the customer doesn’t use their car regularly, or uses it only for short journeys.
Finally, ensure the battery is securely mounted in its tray, with the appropriate clamps to hold it in its correct position. Problems here could indicate the battery isn’t of the correct size or specification, which emphasises the need for the first step to be properly followed. In addition, to prevent any possible electrical short circuit, attach the positive cable to the terminal first, then the negative cable (clearly, the reverse procedure applies when disconnecting the battery).
