Fixing a Bad or Dead Battery Cell in a Car Battery (Easy Steps)
Car batteries need to be replaced on a regular basis, right? Well yes and no. Healthy car batteries have a life expectancy of around 4-6 years. If you find your battery dying much sooner, it could be that there is something you aren’t doing right, this could be as simple as overcharging it.
Your battery is essential to the running of your vehicle and likewise, the cells are essential to your battery. So if you find that you have a faulty cell how do you go about changing a bad battery cell?
There is a quick and easy way to fix a bad or dead battery cell starting by mixing up Epsom salts and distilled water solution, using baking soda and water to remove any corrosion and dirt from your battery, opening the cells up, and emptying any remaining fluid, once this is done you can refill them with the Epsom salt solution and then recharge your battery. You should now be ready to get back on the road.
But first, what is a car battery cell and how do you go about fixing one? Well, keep reading to find out!
What Do I Do If My Car Battery Dies?
There are so many different things that could be causing your battery to die so don’t panic just yet.
The first thing to check is if your car battery is dead or if there is another reason that your car won’t start. Here are 8 signs that your car battery is dead.
- If you notice that your car is slower to start and it isn’t because the temperature has dropped. This could be a sign that your battery is on its way out.
- You’ve got headlights and power but still, the car won’t start. You may find that you get a click when you turn the key but the battery isn’t cranking to start the engine.
- Your radio doesn’t turn on don’t think this is a fault with your radio though. If your ignition is in the ON position the battery should normally run the radio as well as other electronic devices in your car.
- Check under your hood and if your battery appears swollen or a little on the chubby side you may have a fault with your alternator. This fault has caused your battery to become overcharged and is causing a buildup of hydrogen gas.
- You may notice an odd smell coming from your battery and this means it is reaching the end of its life if it hasn’t got there already. If the smell is a bit like rotten eggs you know this repair is going to cost you. The smell means that your battery has vented excess gas and also has probably released sulfuric acid in the process, which is going to cause damage to some other parts of your engine as well.
- Your battery may just be old. At the end of the day, the average life span of a car battery is between 4-6 years.
- The pesky check engine light is flashing or stays on constantly. This could be the start of some serious issues within your engine but you may get lucky with a quick car battery change.
- You may find that your battery actually has enough voltage to start the engine but it then immediately dies and isn’t able to idle at all. Now this fault could mean that there are any one of a hundred possible faults with your car and not necessarily a fault with your car battery.
So you’ve done your checks and it is definitely a faulty car battery, now it’s time for a replacement. It is recommended that you remove your old car battery as soon as you can as it can cause further damage to the vehicle.
How to Fix a Dead or Damaged Cell in a Car Battery
So if a dead battery cell is your problem then we have an easy solution for you. But first, you will need a few essentials to get that battery working again.
- Epsom salts
- Distilled water
- Baking soda
- Voltmeter
- Screwdriver
- Funnel
- Battery charger
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Create an Epsom salt mixture with half a quart of distilled water and eight ounces of Epsom salt. You will need to heat the mixture until the Epsom salt is completely dissolved and ensure that you are doing so in a well-ventilated area.
- Use baking soda and water to remove any corrosion from the battery. Corrosion on your battery can cause a wealth of issues.
- Use a voltmeter to check if the battery can be saved. Anything below 10v means a completely new battery is needed.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the top of the battery. This will expose the battery cells underneath. Remove the cell caps.
- Add baking soda to a bucket and empty the cell’s liquid. The baking soda will neutralize the cells.
- Use a funnel to refill all the cells, replace the cover and shake the battery for one minute.
- Recharge your battery starting at 12V/2 amps for 36 hours.
- Install the battery and test drive.
Here is a video to show you the step-by-step guide.
Can you fix a car battery with a dead cell?
Yes, you can. The best way to fix a car battery that has a dead cell is to refurbish or recondition it. This is if you do not have the money to buy a new one. A dead cell is a telltale sign that your battery is about to completely fail.
And, having a dead battery is definitely something you do not want to happen. It can leave you stranded in the middle of the road when heading to work or in a deserted area. Thankfully, there’s a way you can revive it and this article will explain how to fix a dead cell in a car battery well.
How to refurbish and recondition a dead cell in a car battery
What you’ll need:
- 1 lb. Epsom salt (450g Magnesium Sulfate)
- 1 lb. baking soda
- Eye protective goggles
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Apron
- Flathead screwdriver
- Empty plastic buckets
- Battery charger (Slow trickle type)
- Digital multimeter
- Distilled water
- Plastic funnel
- Toothbrush/Wire brush
Step 1: Wear protective gear
Wear your goggles, protective apron, and gloves. You’ll be dealing with battery acid which is dangerous. The gear protects the exposed parts of your body from burns and spills.
Step 2: Find a well-ventilated area
Find a spot away from any sources of fire. Battery acid is flammable. Also, exposure to sulfuric acid fumes can cause tightness in your chest, respiratory irritation, and difficulty breathing. You want to work in a well-ventilated area. Avoid working directly under direct sunlight.
Step 3: Clean your battery
Carry out a visual inspection of the battery. Ensure that the terminals are not covered by green matter, grime, or rust. If you see any corrosion, mix baking soda and clean water and use this to scrub the corrosion off the terminals with a toothbrush or wire brush.
Step 4: Open the battery cells
Using a flathead screwdriver, pop off the caps that cover the cells. Some batteries include a top cover above the cell caps that you’ll need to pry off first. It provides extra protection against water and other external elements.
Step 5: Pour out the battery acid
Lift the battery and tilt it to pour the acid into an empty plastic bucket. Be careful not to spill any acid on the floors or on yourself. Keep the bucket away at a safe spot and make sure your battery is facing upwards once done.
Step 6: Clean the battery cells
Mix half a pound (225g) of baking soda and half a gallon (2 liters) of water. Pour the mixture into the battery cells using a plastic funnel and close the cells.
Lift the battery and shake it for two minutes. Since batteries are heavy, you can shake yours repeatedly while taking breaks. Empty the solution into a bucket once you’re satisfied that it has sloshed well inside the cells.
Step 7: Make the electrolyte
Heat about half a gallon (1 liter) of distilled water to a boil. Pour half a pound (225g) of Epsom salt and stir. Keep stirring until the salt dissolves completely. This will be your electrolyte.
Do not use vinegar as an electrolyte. It contains about 5% acid in water which makes it harmful to batteries. Vinegar also reduces the performance, life expectancy, and endurance of your battery. It eats away at the lead pates over time.
Step 8: Pour in the electrolyte
Start by cleaning and rinsing your plastic funnel to remove traces of the baking soda solution you used in step 6. Pour the electrolyte into the battery cells until the lead plates are immersed. Bottle any remaining solution for future use.
Step 9: Charge the battery
Connect the positive battery terminal to a battery charger and then the negative terminal. Leave the cells open without the cell caps. Charging releases gases that can build up and cause an explosion.
Also, the charger you use should be a slow trickle charger and not a fast charger. It will prevent the battery from running low. Leave the battery to charge for 36 hours.
Step 10: Test the battery
Set your digital multimeter to volts and connect it to the battery terminals. The multimeter should read 12.43 volts or more. If it reads less than that, charge the battery for another 12 hours.
What happens if a battery has a dead cell?
A battery that has a dead cell will not provide the voltage required to operate the car. You may notice that your car has a starting problem. This is normally an indication that something is wrong with the battery. A dead cell is a sign that the battery is going bad and that it must be replaced or refurbished to bring it back to life.
Some of the symptoms of a dead cell in a car battery include:
- Slow cranking. The dead cell prevents the battery from holding the amount of voltage needed to crank the engine.
- Battery that reads below 12 volts.
- Clicking sounds on start-up indicating a starting problem.
- Vehicle electronics that don’t work. For example, dimming headlights.
How do you check a car battery for a dead cell?
Test the battery voltage using a digital multimeter. If you get a zero reading, the battery most likely has a short circuit. If you charge your battery but can’t get it to provide more than 10.5 volts, it most likely has a dead cell. Sulfation is also another common problem that causes the battery voltage to drop.
Below are some of the things that can lead to a dead battery cell.
- Corroded or loose battery connections
- Electrical drains that occur often
- Problems charging the battery
- Extreme weather that affects the functioning of the battery
- power demand than the alternator can provide
How to Fix a Dead Cell in a Car Battery
Finding yourself with a malfunctioning battery in the middle of a trip can be one of the most frustrating moments in your life. Add to that the stress of having to deal with the towing companies and/or disgruntled fellow drivers who don’t appreciate the traffic congestion that you are causing.
Fortunately for you, a dead battery is still salvageable. You can skip the step wherein you go ahead an buy a new battery.
Battery Reconditioning usually adds another five years to your car battery’s lifespan.
To help you, we’ve condensed the information you need into easy to understand sections.
The Symptoms of a (soon to be) Dead Car Battery
The typical 12-volt car battery is composed of six cells. These cells start your car by chemically producing voltage and amperage.
However, when one or more of the cells fails, the battery will be unable to produce the required amperage to start your car.
The items below are telltale signs that one or more cells of your car’s battery is dead or malfunctioning:
- Your car is slow to start, or “turn over,” to get the motor running
- Your car starts and runs fine but after being shut off for some time, has a hard time starting
The most likely explanation for this is that your car battery is not holding the charge that it gets from the alternator.
To be sure, you can test the battery with the voltmeter, the most reliable way to determine if a battery is holding its charge.
If the voltmeter shows a reading of 12.4 volts or higher, your battery is fine and the problem is probably elsewhere.
However, if it shows a reading below 12.4 volts, then your battery is most likely to be dying.
Once you’re sure that one of the cells of your battery is dead, you can now proceed to the next step: reconditioning.
Reconditioning or Refurbishing a Dead Cell
To Learn about EZ Battery Conditioning, as seen in the above video, click here:
For first time car owners, the first impulse upon finding that one of the cells in your battery is likely dead, is to buy a new battery.
While there’s nothing wrong with this, it is prudent to know that by reconditioning your battery, you can extend its life by another five years.
Since new car batteries tend to cost up to 300, you can save a lot of money by doing this instead.
Also, some car shops buy dead car batteries at a much lower price from flustered car owners.
These shops then recondition the batteries that they bought and then resell them at a much higher price.
Fortunately for you, reconditioning your dead car battery can be done at home with the help of simple tools.
You will need the following.:
- – Drill
- – Screw Driver
- – Goggles
- – Distilled Water (half a gallon)
- – Neoprene Rubber Gloves
- – Battery Charger
- – Plastic Funnel
- – Turkey Blaster
- – Epsom Salt
You can get all of the above from your local hardware store, or Amazon.com
Procedure for Reconditioning Your Car Battery
A well-ventilated area is needed for the refurbishing process.
That area should be fireproof since the acids in the battery can catch fire while you are reconditioning if you’re not careful.
- Heat 1/2 quart distilled water to the boiling point, or about 150 degrees. Add 8 oZs (1/2 lb). of Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) to the boiled water and stir well. Keep stirring until the Epsom Salt is completely dissolved.
- Using baking soda and clean water to prevent contamination, clean outside of the battery. Be sure to remove the corrosion from the cable connections and the battery terminals.
- With the help of a screwdriver, carefully remove the covers from the battery cells. First remove the top cover of a sealed battery, then remove the plastic caps and drill holes at impressions. Use a damp towel to eliminate the debris surrounding the battery holes.
- Remember not to use a metal funnel to fill the batteries with the solution because the metal will surely react to the acids. Fill the batteries with the solution that you earlier prepared. Once they’re completely immersed, replace the battery covers.
- Connect the battery terminals to the battery charger and charge it slowly for 24 hours. This process can be repeated up to three times consistently to improve the lifespan of the battery.
- You’re done. Now, the reconditioned battery is ready for your car.
- As an added step, it is advised that you discharge the battery at some intervals by turning on the lights inside the car or turning on the headlights. Then, you can recharge the battery using the steps above again.
As you can see, the reconditioning process is quite simple. Suffice to say, a lot of professionals are making money out of this process at the expense of those who are less knowledgeable. The money you saved can then be used for other purposes or you can save it for later use.
Safety Precautions to Follow
However simple the process is, there are still safety precautions that you need to do before, during, and after the process. We’ve listed some of them below:
Protective gear is a must
Don’t be deceived with the simple process, there are some people who suffer injuries while reconditioning their car batteries. Most these injuries include acid burns on the hands and acid spills on the eyes.
To prevent this, be sure to wear rubber gloves during the entire process. To safeguard your eyes, you should also wear protective glasses. To top it all, wear protective clothing to prevent acid burns. If already exposed to the acid, immediately wash the affected area using clean water.
Use a compatible battery charger
A compatible charger is needed when you’re recharging the reconditioned battery. The right battery charger should work with 12-volt batteries. Also, be sure to remove all jewelry and metal tools from the work area. Overcharging the battery is also a bad idea, even a small spark can cause an explosion.
Check the voltage first
As stated earlier, before trying to recondition your battery, you must check the voltage first. This is because if the voltage of your battery is less than 10V, it would be technically useless to proceed. You should just save time and buy a new battery. If, however, the voltage is between 10V and 12V, then you can consider refurbishing.
How to jump start a car with a dead battery
If you really are stuck and can’t get hold of a mechanic to jump your car for you, here are the steps you need to take to get moving again.
Remember, you need to be extremely careful when carrying out the following steps as you’re dealing with high voltages.
If you see that the battery is cracked and is leaking acid, DO NOT ATTEMPT to jump-start the car as you will be putting yourself in serious danger.
Step 1
Park the car with the dead battery nose-to-nose or parallel to the another car and open the bonnet of each vehicle.
Step 2
Take the red positive jump lead, connect one end to the positive terminal on the dead battery (as shown below) and the other end to the positive node on the live battery on the other car.
Step 3
Do exactly the same using the black cable, attaching each end to the negative nodes.
Step 4
Start the engine of the rescue car and allow it to run for roughly 10 minutes. This will charge the dead battery of the other car.
While the rescue car is still running, attempt to start the car. If it won’t ignite, leave the car for a few more minutes and try again. If this does not yield results in 30 minutes, there will likely be another problem preventing your car from starting.
What causes a car battery to die?
There are a number of reasons a battery could die, the most common are;
- Leaving your headlights, interior lights or radio running for prolonged periods while your car is stationary.
- If you don’t use your car for a long time, the battery will die as it won’t get charged by the engine.
- The failure of the diode bridge or voltage regulator in the alternator. This is down to the fact that the alternator is responsible for charging the battery when the car is running so if it is malfunctioning, the battery will die.
- If the temperature drops well below zero degrees, the battery could freeze!
Why won’t my dead battery start with a jump?
If your battery is dead and it can’t be jump started, then you will need to find a local car battery specialist garage or mechanic to diagnose the problem for you. It may be that you need a car battery replacement if your battery is beyond repair.
It goes without saying, but make sure not to leave any of your electrics running for an extended amount of time when the car isn’t running, as this is the easiest thing you can do to avoid your car battery dying.
Remember, the easiest way to get you car moving again is to enlist the help of a professional.
Enjoyed reading this article? There’s more where that came from!
- Why your new car battery will cost more to replace than your old one
- How to change a battery
- How to charge a car battery
- What to do when restarting a car that hasn’t been used for a long time
- How to test whether your battery is in good working order
- Why do car batteries die?
- Why is a good car battery important? Battery lifespan, signs of failure and types of batteries explained
- How to jump-start a hybrid car battery
- How to get the most out of your car battery
- How much does it cost to change a car battery?
- How much does it cost to get a mobile battery repair?