Skip to main content
17 votes
Accepted

Need advice for changing battery terminals

That the car now cranks and runs correctly tells us that the battery and the cables are conducting electricity acceptably. I see no need to cut and refasten either cable, especially (as you note) the (...
DavidRecallsMonica's user avatar
12 votes

Damaged battery cable repair

You need to replace the cable as there is corrosion inside of the cable. There is no way to get rid of the corrosion, so replacement is your only option. The corrosion increases resistance going ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
11 votes

Need advice for changing battery terminals

From the images I'm seeing very little corrosion. I think your bigger issue is the clamps themselves seem to be worn out. While you say it is "cheap and easy", you also ask "where do I ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
6 votes

When jump starting a car, can I attach the negative cable for the car with the dead battery on its body?

Hydrogen is released when a typical car battery is charging. When you remove one jump lead after starting there could be a spark which ignites that hydrogen. It is unlikely to be when you attach the ...
Weather Vane's user avatar
  • 2,473
6 votes
Accepted

What's this loose wire near the battery of 2001 Toyota Highlander?

I found this photo which appears to show that wire connected to the positive terminal - I found the photo on this website that is describing how to jump start the vehicle. See the video ‘Locate ...
HandyHowie's user avatar
  • 25.5k
5 votes
Accepted

Installing a battery in a carbureted motorcycle with ABS

I have not been able to find a parts diagram for your model (likely because of the region I live in), so I will explain how to tell which cable is which. If you trace it back, one will attach to the ...
CharlieRB's user avatar
  • 9,005
5 votes
Accepted

Should I replace the battery terminal clamp if some material is missing?

In a word: Absolutely The lack of material means a lack of electron flow. You won't get the proper charge of the battery, the right amount of power out of it come starting time, nor the full ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
3 votes

When jump starting a car, can I attach the negative cable for the car with the dead battery on its body?

They gave good advice except not the body ie a painted surface - use a big clean bolt or engine mount.
Solar Mike's user avatar
  • 34.7k
3 votes
Accepted

Broken Ring Terminal on Positive Cable

What you described will work fine. There are several options out there to replace terminals. You wouldn't be the first one with corroded cables/terminals. IF the cable is still good... There are ...
slambeth's user avatar
  • 146
3 votes

How to connect a jumper cable to this battery?

Depends on the design of your jumper cables, but I would have tried or or rotate 90 degrees and go under that lip at the back Of course your black negative lead would be to a lifting lug directly ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 3,063
3 votes
Accepted

How to connect a jumper cable to this battery?

It sounds like you've installed the jumper cables directly, however, you need to let the donor vehicle charge your battery for a while before trying to actually start the vehicle. Most jumper cables ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
3 votes
Accepted

How to correctly select a line clamp?

If your goal is to hold the cable in place and to avoid chaffing, then you need a clamp that will grasp the cable. They make the same clamps you've pictured in 3/8" which would be a little snug, but ...
CharlieRB's user avatar
  • 9,005
3 votes

Installing a battery in a carbureted motorcycle with ABS

Check out this manual. I don't think your battery is lithium; it's most likely a sealed lead acid battery (SLA, sometimes referred to as AGM, or absorbent glass mat). They tend to be a lot smaller ...
Doktor J's user avatar
  • 131
3 votes
Accepted

Which battery clamp is positive?

Several clues exist. For any "modern" car later than the 1960's, the engine is wired "negative ground" Vintage vehicles may be wired with "positive ground" but both ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 3,063
2 votes

Jump starting leads

Theory: Theoretically they would share the load assuming an even contact on the clamps. Since metals in generally have an positive temperature coefficient of resistance the leads automatically ...
Martin's user avatar
  • 8,513
2 votes

When turning the key to start, all lights turn off and engine won't start

It sounds like you've flattened your battery by listening to the radio without the engine running. If this was only a few minutes, it may be that your battery is in poor health and due for ...
Steve Matthews's user avatar
2 votes

2012 Hyundai i20 starting problem (seems electrical)

I had the same problem was turning the key and nothing happened it was dead. So I took negative terminal off battery and put it back on and started fine. Then it happened again and it turned out to be ...
steven smith's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

Correct gauge of wire for earth/ground

If all you can get is 16mm² cable, then put two of them in parallel. 2x16mm² would have a lot higher current carrying capacity than 1x28mm² cable. The other thing I would check would be that the new ...
HandyHowie's user avatar
  • 25.5k
2 votes

Car refuses to start with repeated clicking but can be jumped

This ended up being a bad negative terminal connected to the battery. The vibration at engine start was just enough to disrupt the connection. When I jumped the car, the clamp secured the terminal and ...
Seth's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
Accepted

Applying Silicone Grease to Battery Lugs and Cable Before Shrink tubing?

Using silicone grease before you shrink the tube is not a problem,except the shrink tube might slide off easier. A better solution than using grease is probably to get shrink tube that has glue on ...
trond hansen's user avatar
2 votes
Accepted

Damaged battery cable repair

After disconnecting the negative battery terminal, if you cut out the corroded section of wire and then make a proper solder joint -- which begins with a secure physical connection between the wires ...
MTA's user avatar
  • 8,518
2 votes

Is it OK to run a new wire directly from the alternator to the battery?

I wouldn’t do that. If you look at the wiring diagram, it looks like the alternator is connected to the starter motor terminal. Presumably the starter works correctly, so the issue can’t be between ...
HandyHowie's user avatar
  • 25.5k
2 votes

Bad battery connection as reason for failed alternator?

More than likely the alternator just went bad. When it did, it quit charging the battery. The battery lasted as long as it could until the vehicle systems ran the voltage down. I don't think there is ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
1 vote
Accepted

Is it OK to run a new wire directly from the alternator to the battery?

You can run a bypass wire with these precautions: The wire gauge must be the same size or larger than the old wire. The old ends must be cut so that the orphaned wire is not connected to anything. ...
John Canon's user avatar
1 vote

Damaged battery cable repair

If you attempt to cut this wire for repair, disconnect battery negative first to prevent blowing a fuse or becoming an arc welder. That looks like 10 gauge wire and if there's enough slack, cutting ...
F Dryer's user avatar
  • 1,420
1 vote

1995 Accord Ex Battery keeps disconnecting

Another loose connection on the other end of one of the cables is a distinct possibility. Otherwise it could commonly be an internally broken cable. Test and find out.
Solar Mike's user avatar
  • 34.7k
1 vote

Help with Broken battery cables

If the cable is till in good condition, then new battery terminals can be purchased which will solve the problem. This works as long as there is sufficient length still in the cable. Other options ...
Solar Mike's user avatar
  • 34.7k
1 vote

Applying Silicone Grease to Battery Lugs and Cable Before Shrink tubing?

You use grease on terminals to protect them from corrosion due to oxygen exposure, the shrink tubing will do the same job so there's no point putting grease inside. In fact, the grease is more likely ...
GdD's user avatar
  • 17.7k
1 vote

When jump starting a car, can I attach the negative cable for the car with the dead battery on its body?

Or the positive terminal. It is typically the ultimate connection that makes the spark capable of igniting something. Jump starting procedure: Connect the positive terminal of the good car with the ...
Caius Jard's user avatar
  • 1,155
1 vote

When jump starting a car, can I attach the negative cable for the car with the dead battery on its body?

You can make either or both negative electrical connections to the frame instead of the battery. When connecting, you must make the last (fourth) connection that way, because either battery can ...
Harper - Reinstate Monica's user avatar

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible