Common Causes of Battery Failure

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Always shield eyes and face from battery. cigarettes, flames, or sparks could cause battery to explode.

Do not charge or use booster cables or adjust post connections without proper instruction and training.

Battery contains sulfuric acid. avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. in event of accident, flush with water and call physician immediately

Keep out of reach of children.

GOOD BATTERY
If a battery has tested good and continues to discharge in service, the following are possible causes to the problem:

^ Vehicle accessories left on.
^ Conditions in the charging system such as slipping belt, high wiring resistance, faulty generator/charging system.
^ Blown fusible link between starter and generator.
^ A vehicle electrical load exceeding the generator's capacity.
^ Extended slow speed driving with many electrical accessories turned on.
^ Conditions in the vehicle electrical system such as shorted wires or high parasitic current loads.
^ Loose cable connectors, loose hold downs, or improper charging of a previously run down battery.

NOTE:

^ Do not check for battery terminal tightness by rotating cable while attached to the battery. This could cause the battery lug face to be damaged and result in a poor electrical connection.
^ Corroded or loose cable connections effect cranking system conditions.
^ Long periods of vehicle storage without disconnecting the battery. Parasitic loads can discharge a battery in 4-6 weeks.
^ A dead battery is usually a symptom of another problem. Fix the problem; don't just charge the battery.