With winter coming, automobiles often suffer, the most general scenario is to have difficulties starting your Vauxkhall Astra in the morning with very low temperatures. Generally speaking this is related to problems recharging the battery of your Vauxkhall Astra . There are several factors that can explain why your battery does not recharge correctly anymore, and in this article we will try to help you to resolve this issue that can prevent you from using your car. To achieve this, first we will explain how recharging your car battery works, then the different problems of recharging a Vauxkhall Astra, and at last how to recharge an empty car battery.
How does recharging the battery of a Vauxkhall Astra work?
Before we detail the different problems of recharging the battery on a Vauxkhall Astra , we will explain to you how its recharging system works so that you can understand the problems you are facing. A car battery works like a phone battery, it will store energy to start your Vauxkhall Astra , turn on your headlights, enjoy music, lower your power windows… Nevertheless all these actions will consume energy and it may possibly deplete the energy reserve that your battery can store. To overcome this issue, the engineers have produced a component called the alternator , this component will use the energy developed by the engine of your Vauxkhall Astra to generate energy thanks to a copper coil and a magnet. This energy will recharge the battery of your car . Nevertheless, take into account that this process can only work when your car is running, using electrical elements of your car when it is stopped will drain the energy reserve of your car. It is considered that a battery of a xxx has a life span of 3 to 5 years.
Problems recharging a Vauxkhall Astra’s battery
We will now describe the different battery charging problems on a Vauxkhall Astra you might be victim of. If your battery is not recharging because there is actually a issue in your electrical installation, we will now see the different cases.
Battery charging problem on Vauxkhall Astra: My battery is discharging even if I am recharging it with a particular charger
In this first case, it is quite possible that your alternator is dead , indeed, if you control to recharge your battery with a charger and your Vauxkhall Astra to start, the problem most certainly originates from your alternator which should not be able to generate any more current.
Battery charging issue on Vauxkhall Astra: My car shuts off and does not start even if I have charged the battery
If you have recharged your battery and you have been able to start your Vauxkhall Astra but it switches off although you are driving and then does not start, the issue with recharging the battery of your Vauxkhall Astra is that your battery no longer holds the charge .
Battery charging issue on Vauxkhall Astra: My battery is discharged although it is new
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If you’ve just bought a battery and it discharges although you’re driving, the issue most probably originates from your alternator. It cannot originate from your battery, which is new and consequently holds the charge. The second opportunity is that you have a ground somewhere in your electrical system.
How to resolve the issue of battery charging on Vauxkhall Astra?
We will now give you the solutions according to the issue you are facing. Here are the different problems and their solutions:
- Defective alternator: You can try with simple mechanics to verify it with a pressure gauge to find out if it’s producing power. If it doesn’t, replacing it is the best remedy, based on your motor you will pay a few hundred euros. This repair is feasible in the event that your alternator is accessible.
- Battery that no longer holds the charge: In such a case, the purchase of a new battery is the only realistic remedy. In actual fact, if you have already recharged it but it is still empty because it is good to be changed, count between 60 and 100 euros based on your engine.
- Ground in the electrical circuit: If you cannot start your Vauxkhall Astra but your alternator and battery are in good condition, it is possible that you have a ground on your wiring harness and that you lose energy, a verify by a car electrician is in this case required.
How to recharge an empty battery of a Vauxkhall Astra
Finally, to recharge the empty battery of a Vauxkhall Astra there are only few solutions, using a battery charger is the most efficient remedy, you can find some for 50 to 100 euros at vendors like Oscaro. Otherwise you can use cables that will only provide the energy needed to start.
To find more tips on the Vauxkhall Astra, take a look at the Vauxkhall Astra category.
