Don't Force It to Run, Here are the Effects of a Weak Battery on Fuel-Injected Cars
The battery in a car has an important function, as this component is a storage of electrical current that is useful for moving the vehicle.
If the battery is weak, but you force the car to run, then undesirable things can happen. Here are the effects of a weak battery on fuel-injected cars, as well as the causes that you need to know.
Effects of a Weak Battery on Cars
If you force the car to start when the battery is weak or dead, this can damage the ECU program and the electronic control system of the vehicle will become locked.
Then the car will start to be difficult to start, especially in cold conditions. This is because the battery voltage dropped, making it unable to lift the starter motor to work as usual, resulting in the car becoming hard to start.
In ideal conditions, the car battery voltage should be above 12 volts. And when the engine is started, that battery voltage will drop and should not be below 11 volts.
Read also: Easy Tips to Repair a Damaged Wet Battery
If the voltage is below that number, then the effects of a weak battery on fuel-injected cars can be fatal. For cars with manual transmission, you can still workaround it by pushing the car.
This will help to start the car in emergency conditions. However, the same cannot be done for automatic transmission cars.
For automatic transmission cars, there is no other way to start the engine if the battery is completely dead. The only way is to replace the battery or jump-start it using another battery.
This battery jump-starting also has a requirement, which is that the voltage from the battery used for the jump must be higher than that of the dead battery.
In addition, the battery voltage being below normal disrupts electrical performance. The effects of a weak battery on fuel-injected cars can cause vital electrical components like the ECM to wear out faster.
In fact, when the ECM is also damaged due to the battery, you will have to spend millions to replace that electrical component.
Causes of a Weak Battery in Fuel-Injected Cars
The causes of a weak battery are varied; it could be that the battery is worn out and indeed needs to be replaced. Therefore, you need to routinely check it to know the condition of the battery, whether it is still in good condition or needs replacement.
In addition, a weak battery can also be caused by your car rarely being warmed up, so the battery capacity is not maximized.
However, cars that are used continuously can also potentially make the battery weak because that component works continuously. Then, if the battery water runs out and is left unattended, it can also make the battery wear out faster.
Considering that the effects of a weak battery on fuel-injected cars can be fatal, you must check the battery regularly.