Loose battery cable
12-19-2013, 05:28 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Loose battery cable
Drove 89 Vette to the gym today since it was sunny and warm. No issues. When I left gym I turned key to on, let fuel pump come on, turned the key to start and the whole car went dead. No juice at all. Dash was blank, the whole nine yards. I checked the battery cables first for corrosion and they are clean but the positive cable was a touch loose. I moved it around and could hear everything click and light up. Borrowed wrench from gym and tightened up the terminal. Car started, idled rough for a second then smoothed out. When I drove to the stop sign leaving the parking lot and stopped, the car wanted to die. I took off onto main road and by the time I had gone a mile or so it was fine when idling. Checked battery with multi meter when I got home and with car off it was 12v. I started car and checked alternator and it was charging at 13.58v. Cable is still able to be wiggled a bit and I was wondering if adding a washer to take up space would cure my condition or if you guys have other thoughts. Thanks!
12-19-2013, 05:35 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
12 volts means your battery is doomed. Try giving it a trickle charge and if you don't get at least 12.5 or 12.7 [ don't remember] it's replacement time.
Last edited by kimmer; 12-19-2013 at 05:39 PM.
12-19-2013, 05:57 PM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Just checked again. Battery with car off is 12.11. New battery? No charger in my possession. What about the washer to tighten my connection? If so what type of washer? Do the anti corrosive washers add enough thickness to take up the slack?
12-19-2013, 07:22 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
kimmer is right I would like to see a little more out of it also but your probley be ok. as afar as a washer if everything is stock there should be no reason to do that. make sure the cables are not binding in anyway and make sure you tighten the bolts correctly
Last edited by hooked073; 12-19-2013 at 07:25 PM.
12-19-2013, 09:28 PM
#5
Safety Car
How old is the batt? Don't try to set any records for batt life.
Buy now, if needed. Load test is very important.
12.3V static is a good bench mark.
13.5V charging is low..... 13.9 - 14.5 (start-up) preferred.
Top or side posts? (my apologies if I missed this)
The cables need to be tight.... not almost tight.
Corrosion washers are fine as long as the cables are tight.
Buy now, if needed. Load test is very important.
12.3V static is a good bench mark.
13.5V charging is low..... 13.9 - 14.5 (start-up) preferred.
Top or side posts? (my apologies if I missed this)
The cables need to be tight.... not almost tight.
Corrosion washers are fine as long as the cables are tight.
12-19-2013, 09:55 PM
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
The alternator charges at 13.5 when idling. When I first start the car and under acceleration it goes up to high 13's to 14's. It does have under drive pulleys. Battery is side post. Not sure how old it is. If I replace it what is the recommended CCA I should get?
12-19-2013, 10:15 PM
#7
Safety Car
Originally Posted by HandsomeMike
.......If I replace it what is the recommended CCA I should get?
12-20-2013, 01:00 PM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
I had always heard and read that removing the battery was a nightmare. I am an OK wrench when it comes to cars and it only took about 10 minutes to get the panel off and maybe another 3 to undo the hold down bolt (I don't have a long extension). Piece of cake! And I found the receipt for the battery in the binder or receipts and records that came with the car. Under warranty until 1/29/14! Exchanging for a new one this afternoon.
12-20-2013, 07:25 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor'13
Anyone have the diagram for the ground wires and charge wire routings?
Also good luck with the new battery 14.4V is a good charging volts.
12-20-2013, 08:34 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
AutoZone Duralast Gold 75 series 700 CCA. $84.95. Fortunately I found the receipt for the old one and they didn't question me on wether or not I was the original buyer!
12-20-2013, 09:04 PM
#15
Racer
I've had good luck for many years with the Autozone Gold batteries. I've got two right now that's over 7 years old.
Just a tip for you, a new battery really should be charged prior to installing. Makes for a happy alternator!
Joel
Just a tip for you, a new battery really should be charged prior to installing. Makes for a happy alternator!
Joel
12-20-2013, 09:49 PM
#18
Safety Car
Bestbatterytips.com
Tim, we’ve had to make this a 6 part Q & A under our Mailbag Mondays questions. We’ll make this one part 2 on Duralast batteries. Duralast batteries are a line of batteries sold by Autozone, which by the way is on every street corner it seems anymore. Autozone is one of the biggest auto parts store chains in the country, known for their great customer service and exceptional products. They can thank Johnson Controls for their dependable Duralast batteries. Duralast is Autozone’s private label made by Johnson Controls. Autozone offers a diverse selection of Duralast batteries, ranging from small to large. They even offer the Optima Gel Batteries in Auto and Marine, by the way which Johnson Controls also owns.
Source: http://bestbatterytips.com/tags/who-...ast-batteries/
12-20-2013, 10:41 PM
#19
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2004
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Duralast batteries are made by Johnson Controls..... same as DieHard and many others. Duralast doesn't make a battery:
Bestbatterytips.com
Tim, we’ve had to make this a 6 part Q & A under our Mailbag Mondays questions. We’ll make this one part 2 on Duralast batteries. Duralast batteries are a line of batteries sold by Autozone, which by the way is on every street corner it seems anymore. Autozone is one of the biggest auto parts store chains in the country, known for their great customer service and exceptional products. They can thank Johnson Controls for their dependable Duralast batteries. Duralast is Autozone’s private label made by Johnson Controls. Autozone offers a diverse selection of Duralast batteries, ranging from small to large. They even offer the Optima Gel Batteries in Auto and Marine, by the way which Johnson Controls also owns.
Bestbatterytips.com
Tim, we’ve had to make this a 6 part Q & A under our Mailbag Mondays questions. We’ll make this one part 2 on Duralast batteries. Duralast batteries are a line of batteries sold by Autozone, which by the way is on every street corner it seems anymore. Autozone is one of the biggest auto parts store chains in the country, known for their great customer service and exceptional products. They can thank Johnson Controls for their dependable Duralast batteries. Duralast is Autozone’s private label made by Johnson Controls. Autozone offers a diverse selection of Duralast batteries, ranging from small to large. They even offer the Optima Gel Batteries in Auto and Marine, by the way which Johnson Controls also owns.
That's Exactly why I like Duralast Batteries (from Johnson Controls), because they're readily available at Autozone stores everywhere!...
12-21-2013, 10:59 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor'13
I just looked at autozone and the duralast gold battery is $115. May I ask how you found it for $84.95 i'd much rather pay the $84.95 rather than the $65 for another pro-rated O'reilly battery that will die in a year. Plus the Autozone battery has better cranking amps.