How to Diagnose Car Battery and Starter Problems

Use these tips to diagnose your car's battery and starter problems.

Step 1: Turn on your ignition
Turn on your ignition if your car engine won't turn over. Listen carefully to any sound produced.

Step 2: Consider a dead battery
Consider the possibility of a dead battery. If trying to start the engine only produces a "click" sound, this may be the case. If you left your car lights on the night before, the battery could have gone dead, and you'll need to have the battery jump-started. If the battery is very old you may have to get a new one.

Tip
Car batteries typically only last 3 to 5 years.

Step 3: Consider a possible alternator problem
Consider a possible alternator problem if turning on the ignition produces a whining sound, but you have a newer battery. If the alternator is bad, it will not charge the battery when you drive the car. You can use jumper cables and another battery to start the car, but the same problem will occur again. Have the alternator checked and replaced if necessary.

Step 4: Consider a possible starter problem
Consider a possible starter problem. If you hear a click when you turn on the ignition and the problem is not due to your battery, the starter's solenoid may have a weak spot inside. If so, the starter will not be able to produce enough current to start your engine, and you will have to have it replaced.

Step 5: Visit a mechanic
Visit a mechanic if you're having trouble determining the sound your car is making. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

Did You Know?
The Oxford Electric Bell, a battery-powered bell at the University of Oxford in England, has been ringing almost continuously since 1840.

[LamborghiniGal]

Helpful video, however, no background music would have been nice and it would have been really good to be able to "hear" these situational problems. Background music is very irritating.

[horacesawyer]

Best part of the whole thing is the totally random fact AT THE VERY END OF THE VIDEO.

[jazzspazz]

Mechanics are expensive the whole point of this is to save money

[MysLed]

Things you need to DIY diagnose:

steps 1-4 : tools (duh!)

👉 *step 5: A Mechanic* 💡

Great advice 👏 super useful! 😒

[zenithgreyz]

Mine i believe definite starter. 20 year old car and never been replaced. just died today. battery pretty new and the alternator. I gotta Honda babyz!!

[wendileona]

Could also be a fuel pump, fuel filter clogged, spark plugs not firing... whatever you do don't let a non-pro mechanic look at it and watch out for big job suggestions without them trying to at least start with the small stuff.

[Joseph-jtvg]

Car batteries typically last only 3-5 years… NOW. I remember when a battery not lasting ten years was outrageous. And that was the damn near economy batteries. I’m only thirty four. So that was barely even twenty years ago…

[mycentz]

My vehicle didn't make a clicking sound when I turned the key. I did this 4 times and power came on but no clicking. I have a pretty new battery it's less then a year old and it's still good. My vehicle has a starter switch which I'm not sure what that is but it's a electrical component that goes to the starter. Also the solenoid is on the starter itself and that's not what I'm referring to when I say starter switch. Anyway after 4 or 5 times it finally started. Later that day it did the same exact thing but only once before starting normally no clicking sound just power and nothing. I haven't had time or the weather to do an electrical test which I'm sure it will work fine when I do as these things always do lol. Anyway because of the starter switch that I'm not sure of how do I test that component for issues. It acts like a broken wire more then a solenoid which it may very well be.

[IRY]

My car started messing up last week one day I was about to drive home from work and noticed steering wheel was temporarily hard to turn and there was a burning smell and whining noise coming from the alternator. A few days later it can only start up and stay on for a minute or two before the engine slows down to a complete stop a couple of days after that point the car refuses to even turn on but makes a clicking noise when turning the key then a few days after that it still refuses to turn on but now makes absolutely no noise when turning key

[mcrowned]

What if you don't hear any sound?

[chriswalls]

Get a tune up on the car every 6 months should be good

[kimberlyschiele]

My 2012 Chrysler town and country wont start battrry is 5 months old. When I turn the key over it goes tik tik tik tik tik... But jumping the battery still doesnt work? Could this be a bad starter or an alternator?

[northperth]

Terminals should be cleaned and protected from corrosion by applying petroleum jelly or grease.

[TheHeadHunter]

Test the battery with volt meter. When the car is off and idle it should be around 12.5 volts. If the battery is less then 12 volts get the battery tested. If you can get the car to start test the battery again. The alternator should be providing electricity . The battery should increase by a few volts. If the change is not greater then .5 volts have the alternator tested.

Check the terminals of the battery and the clamps that go on them. If they are corroded it can effect the performance of a starter. A battery can be perfect, but with bad contact on the clamps there is not enough electricity to go to the starter. Clean it of using either an electrode cleaner. Or alternative methods like baking soda, water, and a tooth brush.

And for the love of god don't disconnect the negative ground when the car is running. Yes it may give a sign that your alternator is shot, but It ruins electronics and can cost hundreds of dollars in damage.

[sarainreno]

It was helpful to me, mine is clicking and not starting, so it may be the battery or alternator.

[davidriley]

If the alternator was faulty, the battery warning light should come on the dashboard

[DoomJoy]

My push to start kept acting like it was trying to be started. Same as if you use a key to start and never let off the ignition side for the key

[exploreevil]

I have a 2003 nissan murano that will start when its cold, but if I run it for a wild and it warms up and I shut it off and tried to turn it back on it won't start it barely cranks and it smells like the cable is burning and as soon as it's cold again it will start back up

[wyvern]

Have you ever thought about what a fart would sound like played in reverse?

[schaellelumibao]

my mazda3 a.t wont start. but it cranks. what should i check on