# Bad Batteries...how to know **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [May 12, 2019, 6:25am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038 "2019-05-12T06:25:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JabirdVA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@JabirdVA](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JabirdVA)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 6:25am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038/1 "2019-05-12T06:25:25Z")
Hello, I’m a new owner of a 2002 GEM e825. When I bought it the batteries were at 98 % now I’m only able to get it to charge to 44%. Does this mean the batteries are bad? The two front batteries were replaced a few months ago. I also am getting a -4 error. Any suggestions? ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/6/655344b86a97c38d9fad5518917c0e1cb3f39773.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038/2 "2019-05-12T06:54:20Z")
It’s possible that some or all of the 4 batteries that were not swapped out have gone bad. You’ll need to charge them, possibly with an external charger and then check the voltage with a meter or better yet, check the individual cells with a hydrometer. It’s also possible that your charger is acting up, are you getting any beep error codes while charging? and, in the above picture, where is the thermal sensor that is supposed to be above the forward-most battery? Depending on it’s location, it could be giving a false reading that causes the charger to cut out early. Error code -04 means the parking brake is still on. Or more accurately, the car thinks it’s still on. If it’s disengaged, check the microswitch on the parking brake bracket. > [@COMPLETE list of GEM error CODES](https://community.electricforum.com/t/complete-list-of-gem-error-codes/1492): > > Some of the following codes do not appear in the factory manual. Not all of these codes will necessarily apply to all model years. Corrective actions are listed following each code. Thanks to several other members and Ride for Fun who have provided new codes for this list. Also see my post listing the Zivan NG1 charger errors. [http://www.electricforum.com/cars/neighborhood-electric-vehicles-hev/2507-zivan-ng1-charger-error-codes.html](http://www.electricforum.com/cars/neighborhood-electric-vehicles-hev/2507-zivan-ng1-charger-error-codes.html) Complete list of GEM error codes: Error Code Descri… ---
**Author:** ![djohnk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc348/32.png) [@djohnk](https://community.electricforum.com/u/djohnk)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038/3 "2019-05-12T17:34:53Z")
That -04 error is tricky, even though you put your parking brake down, it might not be all the way down!! When I was new to my GEM I did that. ---
**Author:** ![djohnk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc348/32.png) [@djohnk](https://community.electricforum.com/u/djohnk)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038/4 "2019-05-12T17:36:01Z")
Try a couple of drives around the neighborhood and charging cycles. You might be able to get it to charge higher than 44. ---
**Author:** ![emilykatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8e7dd6/32.png) [@emilykatz](https://community.electricforum.com/u/emilykatz)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/bad-batteries-how-to-know/16038/5 "2020-10-02T03:31:29Z")
Try draining the battery or this can also indicate that your battery is bad.