Is there any way to renew a battery cell that is weak?

Tiny
HIDDEN1
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 2.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,000 MILES
If I find a cell isn't as strong in the battery, with that hydro tester -balls floating type, other than adding distilled water if low, is there any way to renew that cell?
Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 AT 10:11 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,002 POSTS
Nothing that really works every time. The usual reason a cell goes bad is sulfation. That is a buildup of sulfates generated by the acid's interaction with the lead plates in the battery. There are chargers that "fix" this but all they actually do is dump a high currant into the cell and in effect that burns the sulfate connections apart. It might extend the life of a battery some but how long is a guess. If the sulphates vibrate around and short the cell again, you lose that cell. I have heard of people dumping out a cell and putting in new electrolyte, however that isn't a good idea as most newer batteries don't use a simple water and acid mix any longer. They use a special blend that helps the battery perform better. That falls into the same category as putting an aspirin in the battery or adding acetone to the fuel. Has it actually worked? Maybe, is there real proof that it does, nope. Overall, the best solution when you have a failing cell is to replace the battery. If you don't want a new one, find a salvage yard. When cars come in one of the first items removed is the battery, they then put a charger on it and test it. If it passes the testing it goes on the sale rack, commonly for much less than a new one.
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Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN1
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Yes, I have a few from the salvage yard.
So, there's nothing I can do like let it go down a slow charge again that can help revive it, not even Epsom salt trick?
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Nothing I have tried off the list of tricks has actually worked for more than a couple days. Usually once a single cell starts to fail they tend to cause problems because the alternator is still trying to charge that cell and it starts to overcharge the other cells. The big thing to ask is, why is only one cell low? They all get charged at the same time, so it's more likely to be a mechanical issue in the cell, nothing chemical will change that.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
HIDDEN1
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Maybe its stronger than what I found on the tester. I went for 5 days, no driving and frozen temperatures even -1 °f a high of 12°. An started right up today.
Does that incline cells are tough or still strong?.I didn't charge it either.
Thanks
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Thursday, January 18th, 2024 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,002 POSTS
If it is starting the vehicle take it to a place that does free battery testing, they can put a machine on it that will tell you if the battery is good or not. No guessing that way.
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Thursday, January 18th, 2024 AT 9:37 PM

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