The battery is a vital component of your Ford, as it provides the electrical charge that starts your engine. As time passes, a battery will weaken or could become damaged by the failure of other electrical system components. As your Ford dealer, we’d like you to know a few signs that you may need to visit us for a new car battery.
Slow Cranking
When you start your engine, the battery sends a strong electrical charge to the starter solenoid. The solenoid then powers the starter, which cranks your engine, and your engine will come to life. If your battery is healthy, this process should take only a few seconds. If you hear the sad, laboring sound of the crank instead of the smooth purr of your Ford engine, your battery could be failing.
The most common cause of slow cranking is a weak battery. Cranking the engine requires a specific amount of electricity, and a failing battery may not have enough juice to supply it. As a battery ages, its storage capacity drops, reducing the power level it can provide. We’ll test your battery and install a new one if the original fails.
Alternator Overcharging
The alternator is a mini electrical generator in your engine. It supplies power to all your car’s systems when the engine is running and recharges your battery. Recharging is a carefully controlled process to protect the alternator and the battery. The alternator charges a battery at full power for ten minutes, then switches to charging at reduced capacity until the battery is replenished.
if your alternator is damaged, it might continue to charge the battery at full power. Charging a battery at full power can damage the copper plates and cause the electrolyte solution to boil and evaporate. If this happens, the battery warning light will illuminate, and you’ll smell a hot burning smell. We can replace your alternator to fix this problem.
Phantom Drain
A phantom drain is caused by a damaged switch or relay that doesn’t cut off power to a system when it’s supposed to. The two most common sources of this issue are the trunk light and the glove box light. In both cases, the light comes on when you open them and should immediately go out as soon as you close them.
Neither of these lights draws a large amount of power, but they can cause a significant drop in your battery’s electricity reserves overnight. If your battery worked correctly the previous night and then struggles to supply enough power to start your engine the next day, a phantom drain could be the problem. Our technicians will identify the cause of the problem and repair it.
If your battery shows signs of failing, contact us right away at Pohanka Ford of Salisbury in Salisbury, MD.
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