Possible battery malfunctions, their causes and solutions (Electrical equipment / Battery and alternator / Ford Focus 2 2004-2010)

Cause of malfunction	Remedy
Battery discharge while driving
Alternator drive belt slip	Adjust belt tension
Faulty generator	Check the generator
Damage to the insulation in the electrical system Connection of new consumers by the owner of the car in excess of allowable limits	Locate the current leak and repair the damage Turn off new electrical consumers
Excessive contamination of the battery surface	Clean the surface of the battery
Electrolyte level below the upper edge of the plates	Restore normal electrolyte levels
Short circuit between plates	Replace battery
Battery not warmed up due to low ambient temperature (at minus 20 'C and below)	Warm up the battery in a warm room to a temperature of plus 10-30°C and charge
electrolyte on the surface of the battery
Elevated electrolyte level leading to sloshing	Set normal electrolyte level
Electrolyte seepage through cracks in the case	Replace battery
Replace alternator voltage regulator	Electrolyte boiling due to very high alternator voltage
Electrolyte boiling and battery overheating due to sulphation of the plates	Replace battery
The battery is quickly discharged and does not provide the required engine speed by the starter at start-up
Long-term switching on of high power consumers (headlights, heater, etc.) in parking lots with the engine off or low engine speed	Limit the number and time of switching on electricity consumers
Current leakage when shorting the battery terminals with dirt or electrolyte on the surface of the cover	Clean the surface of the battery with 10% ammonia or soda ash
Short circuit in the electrical circuits of the car	Determine the circuit in which the short circuit occurred. Eliminate the short
Sulfation of the battery electrodes Oxidation of the battery terminals and wire lugs due to poor fastening at the junctions	Replace the battery Clean, secure and lubricate with petroleum jelly wire lugs and terminals
Malfunction of one or more batteries	Replace battery
Rapid drop in electrolyte level
Damage to the battery pack	Replace battery
Overcharging of the battery due to increased charging voltage	Check the voltage regulator and replace it if it is defective

Possible battery malfunctions, their causes and solutions

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