What are the symptoms of a broken cell in a car battery?
3 Answers
After a car battery cell breaks, the voltage cannot reach the normal range, making it harder to start the car, and the horn may not sound as loud as before. Below is more information about car batteries: 1. Introduction: A car battery, also known as a storage battery, works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. The commonly referred-to car battery is a lead-acid battery, which is mainly made of lead and its oxides, with sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. 2. Reasons for battery depletion: Frequent short-distance driving and stop-and-go conditions can cause the battery to remain undercharged for extended periods, shortening its lifespan. Driving at a steady speed on the highway for 20-30 minutes can provide sufficient time for the battery to recharge.
I've encountered battery cell failure quite a few times before, and it seems pretty common. Simply put, it's when the internal cells of the battery malfunction—like broken plates or damaged separators—causing the entire battery to stop supplying power. I've seen cases where a car suddenly stalls while driving, makes clicking noises but won't start when trying to crank, and the dashboard lights flicker, which is super annoying. The main causes of cell failure are usually an old battery that's degraded internally after years of use, or improper charging practices like prolonged discharge or overcharging when the car is parked. Another big issue is excessive vibration, such as driving frequently on rough roads, which can loosen internal components. If you run into this situation, it's best not to force-start the car to avoid damaging other parts. Get to a repair shop ASAP to check the battery voltage—if it's low, it likely means cell failure. To prevent trouble, avoid deep discharging the battery and always turn off all electrical devices when parking.
Man, I had a battery cell failure last month! That morning when I was heading out, the car just wouldn't start. The starter motor sounded super weak, like it was gasping for air. After checking for a long time, we found the battery was the issue - when cells fail, the current becomes unstable, just like water can't flow through a clogged pipe. Common symptoms also include headlights flickering or going out, or the car completely dying when you turn on the AC. It's seriously annoying. I think this tends to happen with older vehicles where the battery hasn't been changed in 4-5 years, especially after exposure to extreme summer heat or winter cold causing internal expansion and contraction leading to cell failure. If there are charging system problems, like alternator voltage being too high or low, it can also accelerate cell failure. Fixing it isn't hard, but don't try to dismantle it yourself - safety first. I ended up towing it to the dealership for a new battery. Now I always check if the battery terminals are loose before parking to ensure good contact. Maintaining your battery doesn't cost much, but replacing it after failure will cost you big - gotta take this seriously.
