The workshop consumables checklist: what to keep on the shelf
Most batteries give off warning signs before they fail. Catch them early and you have time to test, recover or replace the battery on your own terms rather than in a car park at night.
What to look for
These are the signs the team hears about most often:
- Sluggish starts: the engine turns over slowly before it catches
- Headlights dimming at idle and brightening when you rev
- The battery light on the dash stays on
- A swollen battery case or a sulphur (rotten egg) smell
- A clicking sound when you turn the key but no crank
What each sign means
Slow cranking and dimming headlights usually point to a battery that cannot hold its charge, or a charging system that is not keeping up. A battery light that stays on is often the alternator rather than the battery itself, but either way the battery is being run down. A swollen case or a sulphur smell means the battery has been overcharged or overheated and should be replaced, not recovered. Clicking with no crank is the classic flat battery: there is enough power for the starter solenoid but not enough to turn the engine.
Short version: if you catch these signs early we may be able to recover the battery, or replace it before it leaves you stranded. RedPoint can test the battery and the charging system and advise, usually in minutes.
