Auto Electrical Faults

Car battery problems are not uncommon, and they are among the major contributors to your car failing to start or even breaking down on the road. A dead battery is perhaps the most obvious sign of a problem with your car battery and is mostly caused by parasitic drains.

A parasitic drain simply means that there are components in your car that continue running even when it's off. While small amounts of power may be needed to keep things such as your clock operational always whether your vehicle is on or off, a battery that keeps draining all the time should be a cause for alarm. Here are ways you can handle parasitic drains.

Inspect Your Alternator for Shorted Diodes

The alternator charges the car battery when your engine is running. If your alternator shorts out, it could result in a draw in the electrical system, which means your battery will drain. Therefore, you need to check for signs that your alternator could have shorted out. To do this, you will first need to wait until your engine cools down. It has to be cold to the touch.  Next, find the alternator and, with your hand, feel it for warmth and be keen to detect any burning smell. These are the major signs of a possible internal short in the alternator. Replacing the alternator should fix this problem.

Look for Lights That Stay Awake

Some light fixtures may remain on when your vehicle is off and because they are located in places you wouldn't easily see, particularly your glovebox and the boot, noticing that they are on can be difficult. These lights will cause excessive drains on your battery, so you need to fix them if faulty. Peek through the openings around the door of your glovebox for any signs of light. You can also touch the bulb to feel if it's hot. A small switch inside the door frame of your glove box usually controls the light. The switch could simply be misaligned, so realigning it should solve the problem. If this doesn't work, replace the switch because it may have malfunctioned.

For your boot, pop it open then close it slowly while observing through the openings of the lid to see whether the light stays on. If you find it difficult to watch the light, ask someone to get inside the boot when you close it to confirm for you whether the light goes off or stays on. If the latter happens, replace the pin switch that controls the boot light. Detecting the lights can be challenging in broad daylight, so it's best if you do it in the evenings.