Car batteries inevitably get worn down and weaker as they age. When that happens, they have to be replaced. Unfortunately, even after getting a brand-new battery fitted, your car might continue to experience electrical issues.
This guide will look at some of the most common examples.
Contents
6 Common Issues After Car Battery Replacement
A burning smell. An unresponsive engine. Warning lights on the dashboard. There are several potential problems you might run into after a battery change. Here’s a list of six.
Car Won’t Start
This is one of the worst-case scenarios. You get your car’s battery changed, take a seat, turn the key, and nothing happens. The engine refuses to turn over, and your car goes nowhere. This is rare, but it may happen, especially if the battery has been improperly installed.
Solution
Given that this is usually due to an installation issue, it’s first recommended to pop the hood and take a look at the battery. You may discover that one of the cables isn’t fully connected to its terminal, or that the entire battery may not be seated properly. With a couple of adjustments, the issue may be resolved.
If not, you may need to seek professional assistance. There could be other issues preventing the battery from providing power to the start system, such as corrosion around the terminals or a broken alternator. Additionally, while this is rare, it’s also possible that a new battery might be faulty.
Check Engine Light
Today’s cars have a range of warning lights that illuminate the dashboard to let you know when something is wrong. After a battery change, you might notice one or more of these lights – or messages, depending on your make and model of car – show up.
The most common light to see after a battery change is the “Check Engine” light. Unfortunately, this light is also quite vague and can have dozens of different explanations. There might genuinely be something wrong with the engine, or it could be a simple bug in the system.
Solution
As long as your car seems to be running fine, the “Check Engine” light might not be anything to worry about. It sometimes comes on after a fresh battery is installed due to the sudden change in power to the electrical systems.
So, as long as everything feels fine, carry on driving for a little while. The light may go away on its own as the system resets and adjusts. If not, you’ll need to visit a mechanic for an engine diagnostic. They’ll scan the system and see what – if anything – is wrong.
Strange Smell
It’s never a good sign when cars start to smell strange. Unfortunately, you might notice an unusual burning smell after replacing your car’s battery. Usually, that’s a sign of something like burned wiring or blown fuses. Again, this might happen if the battery isn’t installed correctly.
Solution
If you notice any kind of burning smell while driving, it’s recommended to stop as soon as possible and figure out the source of the smell. Inspect the battery to look for any loose or damaged wires, and check the fuses to see if any have blown.
Battery Drains Quickly
You might assume that a brand-new battery will be strong and reliable. In most cases, they are. However, there are rare situations where new batteries end up draining just as fast as the old ones. This is usually linked to issues with the car’s alternator. It could also be due to corroded terminals or some other electrical system fault.
Of course, it’s not easy to spot a fast-draining battery with the naked eye. Instead, you may have to get into the habit of either having your battery checked at a garage or checking it yourself. You can invest in a voltmeter to test it at home. Either way, if it seems like your battery is losing voltage far faster than it should, get it checked out.
Solution
More often than not, this isn’t the kind of issue you can fix yourself. It’s best to visit a local dealership or repair shop. There, the technicians will be able to run scans and diagnostics to see what’s causing the battery drain and then take the next steps to fix it.
Alarm Goes Off
Your car alarm might also go off after installing a new battery. This is a really common issue. Fortunately, it’s not too tricky to fix.
Solution
Usually, you can just use your key fob to deactivate the alarm. Use the button to lock and unlock the car until the alarm starts. Alternatively, press the panic button on your fob, if it has one, or just get into the car and start it up.
Electrical Systems Behave Strangely
Power windows. Air conditioning. Radio. GPS. There are lots of electrical systems in today’s cars. They all rely on the battery to provide them with energy. Because of that, they may behave unusually after the battery is replaced.
You might notice, for instance, that the power windows stutter while opening or that your heated seats seem to get especially warm. This usually happens because the body control module – or body computer – gets reset with a fresh battery, causing unusual electrical occurrences.
Solution
These issues may be resolved on their own as the system resets and readjusts to the new battery. If not, you may need to take your car to a technician. They’ll be able to reprogram the body control module and get things running smoothly for you.
FAQs
Can a new car battery go bad?
Absolutely. It’s rare, but new batteries may go bad quite quickly for various reasons. For example, if they’re installed incorrectly or fitted with worn-down wires or corroded terminals. New batteries might also drain and wear out quicker than expected due to alternator issues. If your new battery seems weak or faulty not long after installation, get it checked by a professional.
What are some troubleshooting steps for battery issues?
First, pop the hood and take a look at the battery. You may be able to spot something wrong right away, like corrosion around the terminals or damage to the wiring. You can also inspect fuses and relays, as well as use a voltmeter to verify that the battery is at the right voltage.
Take Care When Replacing Your Car’s Battery
Most battery replacements go smoothly. But not all of them. Some cause much more trouble than expected. So, if your car’s due a new battery, make sure to do it right. If you opt for DIY installation, follow the steps with care. Otherwise, entrust the job to the pros to reduce the risk of anything going wrong.