What Causes Battery Cell Short Circuit in Car Batteries?
4 Answers
The causes of battery cell short circuit in car batteries are: 1. Poor battery quality; 2. Incorrect usage methods, including prolonged deep discharge and using high-power car chargers; 3. Severe impact or drop of the battery, leading to internal plate breakage. The maintenance methods for car batteries are: 1. Start the car regularly to charge the battery; 2. Add distilled water or special replenishing fluid when the electrolyte is low; 3. Check if the small holes on the battery cover are ventilated; 4. Inspect the battery's positive and negative terminals for oxidation; 5. Check all parts of the circuit for aging or short circuits; 6. Turn off electrical devices when leaving the car.
I've been driving for half my life and have encountered battery cell failure more than once. The most common cause is driving too much on bumpy roads, where severe internal vibrations break the lead plate connections. Last year, my old car had this issue—suddenly wouldn't start, and when towed to the shop, they found a broken separator in the middle. Another major problem is overcharging. Once, I used a cheap charger overnight, and the battery overheated and swelled, cracking the internal plates. Aging can't be ignored either, especially when a battery hasn't been replaced in five or six years—chemical corrosion slowly eats away at the connections. Deep discharge is also a culprit, like when I left my travel car in the garage for three months, draining it completely and corroding gaps in the plates. In short, prevention means avoiding rough roads, checking charge levels regularly to prevent total discharge, using reliable charging equipment, and replacing old batteries early. Save money and hassle—don’t wait until the last minute like I did and end up in trouble.
When helping others repair cars, I often encounter battery cell failures, mostly due to manufacturing defects or charging issues. Some cheap batteries have thin internal separators; after driving tens of thousands of kilometers on bumpy roads, the lead plates can vibrate apart and cause cell failure. Improper charging is also common, such as using high-voltage fast charging or a faulty charger, which can cause the battery to overheat, expand, deform, and disconnect at the joints. Over-discharging is equally dangerous—during winter, if a car sits idle for too long and discharges deeply, the lead plates can corrode and become brittle. Environmental factors like large temperature differences can accelerate aging due to thermal expansion and contraction. I recall one car used in a high-temperature desert area where the battery frequently had issues. The solution is to use branded batteries to reduce defect risks, avoid overcharging or over-discharging, and regularly check voltage stability with a multimeter. Early detection can save on replacement costs.
I'm a relatively new driver, and last time my battery failed due to a broken cell. The reason was simple: I mostly drive in the city, but on weekends I often take rough roads in the suburbs. The constant shaking caused the internal plates to break. Plus, I was lazy and rarely checked the battery. After one deep discharge from excessive power drain, the corrosion became severe. Now I've learned my lesson: avoid bumpy roads too often, and make sure not to let the battery level get too low when parked.
