Common Causes of Battery Failure

The battery is not designed to last indefinitely; however, with proper care, it will provide many years of service.

If the battery tests "GOOD," but fails to perform satisfactorily in service for no apparent reason, the following are some of the more important factors that may point to the cause of trouble:
1. Vehicle accessories are left on overnight.
2. Slow average driving speeds for short periods.
3. The vehicle's electrical load being more than the generator output, particularly with the addition of aftermarket equipment.
4. Conditions in the charging system such as electrical shorts, slipping serpentine belt, faulty generator, or generator voltage regulator.
5. Battery abuse, including failure to keep the battery terminals clean and tight or loose battery hold-down.
6. Mechanical conditions in the electrical system, such as shorted or pinched wires.
7. Extended storage of vehicles.
8. Extended cranking periods due to plug fouling.
9. Incorrect interpretation of the hydrometer.
10. Insufficient ampere-hour charge rate for a discharged battery.
11. Continuous current draw on the battery through excessive parasitic drain.