How To Revive A Dead Car Battery?

by Phil Borges // in Car

If giving your car’s battery a jump start does not get your vehicle started, your battery is probably dead and needs replacement as soon as possible. You can solve this problem by giving your vehicle a boost with a jump starter before calling a towing service to bring your car to a repair shop or home. However, this would be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. This article will provide some quick tips and step-by-step instructions on fixing your car battery if it has died.

How to revive a car battery?

To avoid unwanted situations in the future, you can do the following steps below for reviving a dead car battery:

The Hand Cranking Method

This method will necessitate jacking up the back wheel with the aid of jack stands. Be sure to inspect the front wheels. Place a block in front of one wheel and turn it so that both tires cannot move forward or backward while the ignition is on. Then, put your car into fifth gear and wrap a rope around the drive tire for spinning purposes. Pull with force until the engine has successfully started.

The Epsom Salt Solution

Epsom salt has a stronger acid that contains various hydrates and might help tip the chemical balance to deliver enough charge to the flat car battery.

To prepare this solution, you must create a mixture of Epsom salt and distilled water. The key is that the ratio should be one teaspoon per gallon of water. If your car battery terminals are corroded or dirty, clean them before making this electrolyte solution. Use a wire brush to remove any corrosion material on the terminal posts.

Once the solution is made, pour it into your battery to cover all terminal posts and wait about 30 minutes before replacing any cables or connectors onto the vehicle’s battery terminals.

Aspirin Solution

The aspirin solution is a possible or fixed method worth trying if you have some on hand. You can dissolve two aspirins in one quart of water and then pour it into your battery to help break down the sulfate crystals present, which might contribute to your dead car battery.

Hot Ash Method

First, you need to start a fire and let it burn down to just ashes. Disconnect the vent caps from the top of the battery, then remove the battery from the car. Place the battery at the center of the ashes and leave it to warm up the battery. If there are any tiny sparks even after that time, cover them with sand until they stop sparking completely.

Distilled Water

This simple car battery fix serves as an electrolyte booster for most cars. If Epsom salt or aspirin is unavailable, try adding distilled water to your battery, which allows for more reaction and easier starting.

18-Volt Drill Method

The 18-volt drill battery method is a jumpstart technique that uses an already charged power source to provide the necessary juice for your dead car. To do this, you need an 18-volt power tool and some jumper cables or adaptor clamps to create the connection to your dead car battery. This will allow the charge from one of these batteries to link with another, providing enough juice to restart the machine.

Chainsaw Method

chainsaw method is a good option for charging the battery by using a chainsaw to drive the alternator. First, remove the chainsaw blade, chain, and drive sprocket to make things easier to fit over, like a pulley type. After removing the drive belts from the alternator, remember these:

  1. Use them to connect your chainsaw’s drive spindle and the alternator pulley.
  2. Ensure the belts are attached securely before turning the power on the chainsaw.
  3. Keep the pressure on the belt while it charges the dead battery. 

Always be careful when handling the abovementioned method for reviving your car battery. It would be best to consult a professional if you’re having trouble following the steps. 

How Much Epsom Salt Per Gallon For Battery

As a general guideline, you can use about 1/2 cup of Epsom salt per gallon of water. So if your battery is severely sulfated, you can increase that amount. Always test the solution in a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage the battery.

Tips To Prevent Car Battery Issues

The best thing you can do to prevent battery issues is to ensure your vehicle’s alternator and belt are in good condition. Here are some tips you could follow:

  • Always check your battery’s fluid levels. If your battery isn’t holding a charge, it could be due to a depleted electrolyte inside. As a result, it must be replaced with distilled water.
  • If your vehicle is having trouble starting, try temporarily turning off all electrical equipment like headlights or stereo while starting the engine. It will help to ensure that the car battery has enough juice available.
  • Never leave your vehicle’s engine running while it is not being driven, and turn off all electrical equipment, especially headlights, when you are parked overnight. This will prevent the car’s battery from draining power due to parasitic loads on these accessories.
  • If possible, regularly maintain your battery to help it last longer and retain its performance.
  • A functioning charging system is crucial for a properly functioning battery system. If you suspect your charging system has become faulty, have it checked by an automotive professional or mechanic as soon as possible.
  • Do not let your car sit idle if you are having trouble starting up because this might lead to a drained battery that won’t start, resulting in an expensive tow and repair bill.
  • If an issue is starting up your car, take it in for a checkup immediately because the battery might be draining too quickly due to an electrical problem.
  • It is best to be prepared with jumper cables and other tools that might be needed in case of an emergency or the event of a dead battery. If you are traveling to a remote area or a new place, it is best to have some in the car just in case.

What to do with a dead car battery?

You should first check if the charging system is working, as sometimes it’s the cause of your battery dying. If it doesn’t work, you may follow the steps mentioned above. Furthermore, if nothing happens, you should consider a battery replacement. Nonetheless, it would be best to take your car to a skilled mechanic to fix the problems.

Can you revive a dead car battery?

There are a few things you can do to try to revive a dead car battery. First, check the connections and make sure they’re clean and tight. If they are, then try jumpstarting the car battery using another car battery. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the battery.

How to revive a car battery that won’t charge?

If your car battery won’t charge, the first thing you’ll want to do is check the connections. Ensure the cables are securely attached to both the battery and the charger. If they’re not, that could be the problem.

If the connections are good, then you may need to clean them. Sometimes corrosion can build up on the terminals and prevent electricity from flowing properly. You can clean them with a wire brush or some other type of cleaner made specifically for batteries.

If cleaning the terminals doesn’t work, then it’s possible that your battery is too old and needs to be replaced. Batteries only last for so long, and if yours is more than a few years old, it may not be able to hold a charge anymore.

Conclusion

A dead car battery isn’t fun and can be expensive if you do not take preventative measures. It’s essential to remember that you should try to jumpstart your car first and follow the tips and steps mentioned above to avoid high fees. However, if your car’s battery is too old, you may consider changing it immediately. It would be best to get in touch with a local mechanic expert to do it for you quickly.

About the author, Phil Borges

Phil Borges is a battery aficionado. He's written extensively about batteries, and he loves nothing more than discussing the latest innovations in the industry. He has a deep understanding of how batteries work, and he's always on the lookout for new ways to improve their performance.