Why Does My Car Battery Keep Dying? Causes and Fixes for Redding Drivers
Find What's Draining Your Battery
When a battery keeps dying, the battery isn't always the problem. We test the charging system and track down any electrical drain so it stops happening.
Safe to drive, but it'll strand you again. If the battery light comes on while driving, head straight to us.
Why does my car battery keep dying? Either it isn't getting charged or something is draining it while the car is off. The most common causes are an old battery that can't hold a charge, a failing alternator, a parasitic electrical drain, corroded connections, or only driving short trips.
A battery that's dead every few days, or after the car sits overnight, is either not getting charged or being drained while the car is off. Replacing the battery without finding out which one wastes money.
Common causes of a battery that keeps dying
- An old battery that can't hold a charge. Common after three to five years, sooner in hot climates. Battery testing and replacement
- A failing alternator. The battery runs down while you drive. Alternator repair
- A parasitic drain. A module, light, or accessory that stays on after you lock the car. Electrical system repair
- Corroded or loose connections. They stop the battery from charging fully.
- Short trips only. The alternator never gets enough time to recharge the battery.
Tired of jump starts?
Book a battery and charging system test and find out what's really draining it.
How we find the cause and fix it
- We load test the battery to see if it can still hold a charge.
- We check the alternator's output while the engine runs.
- We measure the current draw with the car off and trace any drain circuit by circuit.
- We show you what we found and give you an estimate before any repair.
Stop the drain for good.
Book an electrical diagnosis. We'll find the cause before we replace anything.
Is it safe to keep driving?
It's safe to drive, but not reliable: you'll be stuck the next time it doesn't start. If the battery light comes on while you're driving, the alternator may have stopped charging, so head to us before the car shuts off. See also car won't start.
Services we offer that could fix your problem
We confirm the cause first, then recommend only the repair you need.
- Car BatteryNever Get Stuck With a Car That Won't StartLearn more
- AlternatorStop Dim Lights and Dead Batteries at the SourceLearn more
- Electrical System ServiceTrack Down Electrical Gremlins Fast and Fix Them RightLearn more
- Starting And Charging SystemsStart Reliably Every Time You Turn the KeyLearn more
Common questions
Why Does My Car Battery Keep Dying?
Either it isn't getting charged or something is draining it while the car is off. The most common causes are an old battery that can't hold a charge, a failing alternator, a parasitic electrical drain, corroded connections, or only driving short trips.
Why does my car battery keep dying overnight?
Usually an old battery, a failing alternator, or a parasitic drain from something that stays on after the car is off.
Can a new battery die because of the alternator?
Yes. If the alternator isn't charging, even a brand-new battery will run down within days.
How do you find a parasitic drain?
We measure the current the car draws while it's off, then isolate circuits one at a time until the draw drops.