What to Do When a Car Suddenly Loses Power?
2 Answers
The solutions for a car suddenly losing power are: 1. Inspect and repair the generator; 2. Tighten the battery terminals and recharge the battery; 3. Check the fuses, relays, and wiring; 4. Inspect or replace the ignition switch. The reasons for a car suddenly losing power are: 1. The battery is depleted due to prolonged parking; 2. The battery has reached the end of its lifespan; 3. The engine is damaged; 4. Insufficient battery electrolyte or leakage; 5. Blown fuses causing battery power loss; 6. Corrosion of battery terminals. Methods to prevent car battery depletion are: 1. Turn off all electrical devices before parking; 2. Avoid frequent short-distance driving; 3. Regularly inspect the battery.
I've been driving a taxi for over a decade and have encountered many situations where cars suddenly lose power. Once on my way home from work, my car completely died, and the dashboard didn't even light up. I immediately pushed the car to a safe spot by the roadside, turned on the hazard lights, and called a friend to jump-start it. Remember, when jump-starting, the fronts of both cars should be close together, don’t turn off the engine, connect the red cable to the positive terminal, and the black cable first to the negative terminal of the good car, then to the engine block or frame of the dead car to avoid sparks. If the jump-start works but the car dies again, it might be a faulty alternator—you’ll need to visit a repair shop to check the alternator and voltage. Normally, car batteries tend to degrade after three to five years, especially in winter when they’re more prone to draining. I recommend checking the battery terminals monthly for corrosion and cleaning them with baking soda if dirty. Always turn off lights and electronic devices when shutting off the car.
