So, I’ve been having a problem with my Honda’s electricity. I know it’s hard to determine if it’s battery or alternator. (2015 civic Lx—83K)

When starting the car, sometimes I have to turn the key a few times before the starter will even crank. Hear 1 click, and nothing. Try a few more times, powers on. Brought the battery to autozone and had it charged. They said I might need a new battery. I’ve been bringing my battery inside at night to keep it warm because the cold is definitely affecting it.

All symptoms point to the battery, HOWEVER, the other night I tried turning the car on after a half hour of being off, and the car turned on for a few seconds and died..-it did this like 5 times until the car ran normally.. The battery light came on, but I never saw a “check charging system” warning.. seemed like the battery had enough power though because the starter cranked fine, longer than normal to turn on in fact.

My Android computer in the car shows my battery voltage on the status bar. It stays at 14v, sometimes 13.9-14.1 but generally stays at 14v while driving. If it’s ever at or around 12v, it always goes back up to 14v when I turn the headlights on.

Bad battery-bad alternator-loose belt-??
Please help, I can use your input. Thanks! ~David

 

You can get a battery load tester, it tends to give you a better idea of the battery's health. Batteries over time weaken and die naturally and winter brings out that weakness. Typically I would swap the battery first, if the new battery gets fried in 3 to 6 months then I suspect a problem with the alternator that is killing the battery. At that point I tend to warranty the battery for a new one and put a new or different alternator in.