{"id":101124,"date":"2024-02-05T22:01:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T06:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=101124"},"modified":"2025-02-20T19:38:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T03:38:19","slug":"how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix a Car Battery That Doesn\u2019t Hold Charge"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column101124_0db76a-f8 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-f282ee  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-e7ddf4\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5 summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading101124_750f81-f5\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jump-starting the battery and cleaning the terminals with household items like Epsom salt and aspirin can help recondition a battery that won&rsquo;t hold charge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jump-starting is a generic process that you can perform on any vehicle, but keep in mind that there might be some additional precautions to observe, depending on the year, make, and model.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conducting a battery load test, voltage test, and conductance test can help you determine if you should replace your battery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Caution:<\/em><\/strong><em> Never work around any car battery without good eye protection (better than your prescription glasses). A full face mask is best.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are very few things more frustrating than discovering you have a dead <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"battery\">battery<\/a> when you need start your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine being late for an important appointment only to find out that the engine won&rsquo;t turn because of a dead battery. This issue can happen to anyone, and there are times when new batteries fall victim to this kind of problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how exactly can you fix it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First, Check the Terminal Connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/battery-terminal-connections-corroded.jpg\" alt=\"battery terminal connections corroded\" class=\"wp-image-102700\" style=\"width:650px;height:376px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/battery-terminal-connections-corroded.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/battery-terminal-connections-corroded-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/battery-terminal-connections-corroded-150x87.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">If your battery terminal connections look like the ones pictured here, take care of this problem before doing anything else. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Recondition a Car Battery That Won&rsquo;t Hold Charge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some instances where your car battery might need a little push to get going. Here are some simple ways to recondition a car battery that won&rsquo;t hold charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important note:<\/strong> These methods apply if you have time and are in a financial situation where you can&rsquo;t afford a new battery at the moment. This isn&rsquo;t 100%, but it won&rsquo;t hurt to try. Of course, some batteries are purposely designed in such a way that you can&rsquo;t open the cells. These methods won&rsquo;t work on batteries of this type or on &ldquo;gel&rdquo; batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump-Starting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/jump-starting-basics-how-long-will-it-take-to-get-your-car-up-and-running\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Jump-starting\">Jump-starting<\/a> is a simple process that can breathe some life into your car&rsquo;s battery. You&rsquo;ll only need jumper cables and another working vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-1024x525.jpg\" alt=\"jump starting battery illustration\" class=\"wp-image-102701\" style=\"width:1024px;height:525px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-1024x525.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-768x394.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-1536x787.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration-150x77.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/jump-starting-battery-illustration.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make the connections as shown in the illustration, with the last connection being made to the engine block of the vehicle with the dead battery. Since the last connection will likely make a spark, you don&rsquo;t need to take the chance of igniting the flammable gasses that can be present above the battery. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to use high-quality <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/jumper-cables\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"copper cables\">copper cables<\/a> when jump-starting a dead battery. When it comes to jumper cables, you get what you pay for; some jumper cables can look good and still not do the job. Again, it&rsquo;s important that you make the last connection as far away from the working battery as possible to mitigate the possibility of a battery explosion (they do happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create at least a little distance between your vehicle and the one you&rsquo;ll be drawing charge from. How much distance you can put will be determined by how long your cables.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column101124_9727c1-4a kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id101124_b48be5-3a alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column101124_966ef8-bf kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image101124_f17461-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image101124_f17461-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image101124_f17461-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image101124_f17461-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image101124_f17461-4e figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image101124_f17461-4e .image-is-svg, .kb-image101124_f17461-4e .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image101124_f17461-4e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image101124_f17461-4e\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column101124_eae3d4-09 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\nSome old timers used to park the jump vehicle so that its chrome bumper touched the dead vehicle&rsquo;s chrome bumper and just used the positive jumper cable, but this is not a good practice. It won&rsquo;t work on today&rsquo;s vehicles anyway, because bumpers are plastic. \n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-does-a-car-battery-work\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc\"><style> .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc:active, .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u2ecb0db0c96a9eceb844f731f4f493fc:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">How Does a Car Battery Work: What You Need to Know<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s normal for the cables to spark once they complete the jumping circuit and, again, this is why you make the last connection on the dead vehicle&rsquo;s engine block. For some new vehicles, you might notice a special ground or a positive power connection located away from the battery for jump-starting purposes and these will sometimes be plainly marked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Jump-starting is a generic process that you can perform on any vehicle, but keep in mind that there might be some additional precautions to observe, depending on the year, make, and model. Some of the newest vehicles advise against it, so be careful, and don&rsquo;t connect the cables backwards either. This can ruin a lot of parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always consult the appropriate manual when performing such procedures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use an Epsom Salt and Distilled Water Solution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Using Epsom salt is another way to recondition a battery that won&rsquo;t hold charge. Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate can help dissolve solid salts that have formed around the battery plates over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply mix one part Epsom salt with three parts distilled water, and pour the solution over the battery cells. After that, you&rsquo;ll need to charge the battery for about 12 to 24 hours before conducting a load test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try Using an Aspirin Solution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Aspirin has acidic properties that can alter a battery&rsquo;s electrolyte composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crush 12 aspirin tablets into a fine powder, and add about 180 ml of warm water to create the solution. Pour the solution over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-positive-and-negative-terminals-on-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"positive and negative battery terminals\">positive and negative battery terminals<\/a>, and add more water to cover all the plates if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowing When to Replace an Old Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When your car battery is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/5-signs-of-a-bad-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"too far gone\">too far gone<\/a>, the only thing you can do is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"replace it with a new one\">replace it with a new one<\/a>. This is the best way to handle a worn-out battery once you&rsquo;ve determined that enough of its cold cranking amps are depleted to make it undependable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But before you do, here are some tests you might want to perform on your battery to know whether or not a replacement is absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-test-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f\"><style> .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f:active, .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u9a5e7b0825bf93342dcb2654e26b0a9f:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Test a Car Battery<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Electrical (Parasitic) Drain Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A battery electrical drain test determines if there&rsquo;s a component or circuit that&rsquo;s draining the battery even when the ignition is off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electronically tuned radios, computers, and controllers are some components that draw a slight but continuous amount of current from the battery when the ignition is off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"988\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-drain-test.jpg\" alt=\"diagram showing how to conduct a parasitic drain test\" class=\"wp-image-102698\" style=\"width:988px;height:624px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-drain-test.jpg 988w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-drain-test-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-drain-test-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-drain-test-150x95.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diagram showing how to conduct a parasitic drain test | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration-1024x513.jpg\" alt=\"test using an inductive amp meter illustration\" class=\"wp-image-102699\" style=\"width:1024px;height:513px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration-1024x513.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/test-using-an-inductive-amp-meter-illustration.jpg 1102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Using an inductive amp meter is actually better if the vehicle has already been sitting for a couple of hours because all the modules will be asleep and you can get an immediate reading. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>An inductive DC ammeter and a digital <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-test-a-car-battery-with-a-multimeter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"multimeter\">multimeter<\/a> that&rsquo;s set to read milliamperes are some tools that are used to conduct a drain test (see illustrations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To find the source of the drain, check to make sure the underhood light, glove compartment light, and trunk light aren&rsquo;t illuminated when they shouldn&rsquo;t be. Check interior lights, like map lights kids may have turned on when you weren&rsquo;t looking. Disconnect fuses one at the time from the underhood junction box and then the inside fuse panels, but make sure you don&rsquo;t have the door open so that the dome light is on while removing the fuses or you&rsquo;ll get a false positive result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the drain stops after one fuse is disconnected, the source of the drain is located in that particular circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if the battery drain still exists, check the alternator, starter solenoid, or nearby wiring for any issues. If you don&rsquo;t know how to do this, take your car to a mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Load Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A battery load test determines the condition of any battery. This method requires a load tester that uses a carbon pile to create an electrical load on the battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To perform this test, it&rsquo;s important to determine the battery&rsquo;s CCA rating before anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The proper electrical load to be used on the battery should be half of its CCA rating or three times the ampere-hour rating. Once you&rsquo;ve determined the CCA rating, you can proceed with connecting the load tester to the battery. Apply the load for a full 15 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the load testing, the battery should have a reading of above 9.6V. Repeat the test at least one more time to get a more accurate battery condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Voltage Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A battery voltage test can determine the state of charge of any battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also referred to as an open circuit battery voltage test, this procedure is conducted with an open circuit, no current flowing, and no load applied to the battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before attaching a voltmeter to the battery terminals, always make sure that the surface charge has been removed. To do this, turn the headlights on high beam for one minute, turn them off, and wait for at least two minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From there, connect the voltmeter to the battery posts. Read the voltmeter, and compare the results with the state of charge. A negative meter reading could mean two things: an incorrect voltmeter connection or the battery needs to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/automobile-battery-everything-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee\"><style> .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee:active, .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u6df85553f84107273cda16749053caee:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">Automobile Battery: Everything You Need to Know<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This test should be followed by watching the battery voltage (with eye protection) while attempting to start the vehicle. Check at the battery post, and if the voltage stays steady, move your probe to the battery terminal. Do this first on the positive side and then on the negative side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-1024x351.jpg\" alt=\"diagram showing how to watch battery voltage while attempting to start the vehicle\" class=\"wp-image-102696\" style=\"width:1024px;height:351px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-1024x351.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-768x263.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-1536x526.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle-150x51.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/diagram-showing-how-to-watch-battery-voltage-while-attempting-to-start-the-vehicle.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diagram showing how to watch battery voltage while attempting to start the vehicle | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Check at the battery post, and if the voltage stays steady, move your probe to the battery terminal. Do this first on the positive side and then on the negative side.<\/p>\n<cite><em>&ndash;&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electronic Conductance Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Electronic conductance testing measures how well a battery can create current. It&rsquo;s usually done on batteries that are under factory warranty and can be performed on test flooded or absorbed glass-type batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A conductance tester sends a small signal through the battery and measures a part of the AC response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This method isn&rsquo;t designed to accurately determine the state of charge of a new battery. It should only be used to test batteries that have been in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A conductance tester usually displays two results: &rdquo;good battery&rdquo; or &ldquo;charge and retest.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, keep in mind that improper connections to the battery can produce inaccurate results. Also, make sure to turn off all accessories and the ignition switch before conducting the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Get a New Battery for Your Vehicle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Repair jobs can only do so much for your battery. In some cases, you&rsquo;ll have no choice but to buy a new one that won&rsquo;t die on you during the most random times. Here at <a href=\"http:\/\/carparts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a>, you can get a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"battery\">battery<\/a> delivered straight to your doorstep in a jiffy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have a wide selection of high-quality batteries sourced from the most trusted brands today. All our products have passed strict quality checks, so you&rsquo;re sure to get a battery that&rsquo;s built to last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find the right battery for your vehicle by entering its year, make, and model into our vehicle selector. This will narrow down the catalog to compatible batteries for your ride. For a more personalized shopping experience, use the search filters to find a battery according to your preferred brand, price range, quantity, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Order now, and we&rsquo;ll deliver your battery straight to your doorstep in as fast as two business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our products today!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Caution: Never work around any car battery without good eye protection (better than your prescription glasses). A full face mask&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":101126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3758],"tags":[73],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-101124","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-electrical-system","9":"tag-battery","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Fix a Car Battery That Doesn\u2019t Hold Charge - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is your battery not holding a charge? Here are some DIY-friendly methods you can try to fix a car battery that won\u2019t hold charge.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Fix a Car Battery That Doesn\u2019t Hold Charge - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Is your battery not holding a charge? Here are some DIY-friendly methods you can try to fix a car battery that won\u2019t hold charge.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-06T06:01:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-21T03:38:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/car-battery-jump-start-procedure-to-hold-charge.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-fix-a-car-battery-that-doesnt-hold-charge\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"4\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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