Battery: common defects and their signs.

1. Short-circuit of electrodes.
   • During charging, voltage increases very slowly or doesn’t increase at all.
   • Intense gas emission occurs after end of charging. This can be detected by battery housing sweating.
   • Regular undercharging of the battery occurs.
2. Oxidation of the battery terminals.
   • White bloom on the terminals.
   • Battery charging rate is low.
   • Difficult starter operation and engine start.
3. Sulfation and damaging of plates.
   • Electrolyte fluid level in battery cells decreases.
   • The battery charge indicator lights up. It may be located on the battery itself or on the car instrument panel.
   • Electrolyte fluid gets cloudy and gains a brownish colour.
4. Battery housing cracking.
   • Overcharge of the battery occurs.
   • Electrolyte fluid leakage occurs.
   • The battery discharges quickly during car operation.

How to repair or replace battery?

At the average, the battery serves on the car for 3-4 years, according to operational conditions and observance of its servicing rules. Repair of the batteries is non-efficient, and some of them, for example, gel cell batteries, are solid structures and have no electrolyte. That is why, the component needs to be replaced at appearance of the first defect signs.

Replacement can be performed by yourself, after studying car technical documentation, as mounting location of the battery may vary for cars of different models. Generally, procedure of battery replacement for any car is the following:

1. Disconnect first the negative terminal from the battery, and then – the positive one.
2. Unscrew bolts and fasteners of the battery and slowly remove the latter.
3. Replace the terminals if there is corrosion on them.
4. Install a new battery, respecting polarities. Tighten the fasteners.
5. Apply special conductive grease on the terminals to prevent oxidation.
6. First, connect the positive terminal, and then – the negative one.
7. Start the engine and make sure that all electric equipment operates.

To prolong component lifetime, it is necessary to obey the rules of the battery charging, procedure and duration of which are indicated in technical documentation. It is also recommended to the keep battery housing clean and timely clean oxidized terminals with special agent.