Can a Bad Battery Throw Codes? (Answered)

There’s no parts in a vehicle that is not important but the battery is among the most important parts of a car that shouldn’t be joked with.

When a car has a good battery, it functions very well but when the battery starts to wear out, it becomes a thorn in the flesh. Therefore, when a car battery goes bad, what happened? Can a bad battery throw codes?

Yes, a bad battery can throw codes that can cause a check engine warning light or battery light to appear on your dashboard. This happens when the battery becomes so bad that it causes voltage fluctuations and cannot function the way it used to.

When this happens, it may lead to confusion as you may find it hard figuring out what is causing the problems your car is having.

Can a Bad Battery Throw Codes

A car battery can throw codes when it goes bad because it’s unable to function the way it used to, thereby sending incorrect readings to the car’s computer hence why the check engine and battery warning light appears on your dashboard.

One thing with error codes caused by a bad battery is that you may find it difficult figuring out what the cause maybe.

For example, if the battery has gone too bad and caused a misfire, you may think it’s the spark plugs, coils, or injectors, etc.

The problem is that, even after replacing all these things with a new one, the problem will come back again because those things replaced were never the cause of the error codes.

List of Codes a Bad Battery Can Throw

List of the codes a bad battery can throw are:

However, while a bad battery can cause some of these codes, it’s important to note that these codes can still be caused by many other issues in the car.

What to Do if a Bad Battery Throw Codes

If a bad battery throws a code in your car, you should:

Check the Battery

The first to do if your battery throws codes is to check the battery to be sure it’s properly tightened.

If the battery is not properly tightened while the car is in use, it may cause voltage fluctuations and throw codes. The alternator may find it difficult to charge the battery.

Check for Corrosion

Check the battery for a possible corrosion. If there’s corrosion around the battery terminals, clean it up properly and see if the problem is fixed.

Check the Battery Voltage

You can make use of a multimeter to test the battery voltage. This is to ensure your battery is giving enough voltage needed to power your car.

While testing the battery, ensure to turn on your AC, radio, lights to ensure you get the right number.

Check if You’re Using the Right Battery Size

Check if you’re using the right battery arms for your cars. Your car might find it difficult to work if you’re supposed to be using a 75arms battery while you’re using a 25arms battery.

If you’re using the right battery, it’s time to make a change. This information is important especially if you purchase the car used.

Replace the Battery

If the battery is old and has been in use for a long time, maybe it’s time to replace it with another one.

Car batteries are not manufactured to last forever. Therefore, replace the battery and save yourself the stress of fixing problem caused by a bad battery.

Check the Alternator

If your alternator is bad, it won’t be able to charge your battery, which can cause more problems that you expect.

Therefore before concluding that your battery is bad, test your alternator to be sure it’s charging the battery the way it should.

You can use a multimeter to do the testing and if you can’t do it yourself, take your car to a technician to do the testing for you.

Signs of a Bad Battery

• Hard Start: You may find it difficult starting your car if the battery is bad. Jumpstarting the car will help to take you to where you can have the battery replaced.
• Electrical Issues: You may start experiencing electrical issues in your car when you battery goes bad.
• Dimming Lights: When your battery is bad, you may lights may not be as bright as it’s used to be. You may notice the difference on your dashboard lights. It might starts to flicker.
• Swollen Battery Case: While this may not mean that the battery has completely gone bad, it can also be a sign that something is wrong with the battery.

Conclusion

The truth is that, a bad battery can indeed throw codes and when this happens, it means that the battery is bad and needs to be replace, therefore, you should have the battery replaced immediately.

It’s also wise to check if the battery is properly tightened to the terminals and check if there’s corrosion on the terminals as these could also cause the battery is throw codes.