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Can a battery recharge itself?

Earlier, my car was totally dead. But now after a few hours there are some indications of power. For example, the door lock work - even though the alarm won't set. There is a red light on my dash blinking and the LED odometer is showing mileage. It still won't start though. But if it were the alternator or the battery - my car has all kinds of bells and whistles. Wouldn't the indicator lights have lit up to let me know there was a problem?

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Battery output varies with temperature. If you looked when it was cold, and looked again when it warmed up, you could see a batter on it's last legs go from totally flat to putting out a bit of juice.

  • LeAnne
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Here's the scoop. After cranking the battery for a while, the electrolyte (sulfuric acid solution) nearest the cells become depleted. If you let the battery sit for a short while, the depleted electrolyte will mix with the more potent solution and the battery will "appear" to have charged itself somewhat.

    A battery, of course, cannot charge itself - once all of the electrolyte has been depleted, the battery is dead, and will remain dead until it is recharged from an outside source, a battery charger or the vehicle's alternator.

  • 1 decade ago

    Well the battery is charged by the alternator when the car is running or driven. Depending on how hot or how cold can at times affect the battery you could have a bad cell or low acid in the battery weather it is serviceable all depends on the the battery you need at-least 10.5 volts to start a car I would have the battery tested and then see if you need one or not if the battery is ok then you need to check for a draw and check the alternator.

  • 1 decade ago

    the battery cannot recharge it self no . the electronics of the vehicle is draining the battery

    jumpstart the vehicle

    but take note that if you jumpstart the vehicle the incorrect way you will blow the computer box

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  • 1 decade ago

    no they do not recharge unless motor is running and alternator working most likey dirty battery cables you have to remove battery cables in order to clean them

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    yes

    Source(s): yes
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