having some electrical troubles, may be self inflicted
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
having some electrical troubles, may be self inflicted
my entire cars electrical has been a little off the last 2 days now, so i figured id clean the terminals, check contacts, and all that good stuff.
well, heres what i found.
now, my metallurgy is non existent, but... aluminum terminal, an always hot copper wire pressed up against it (my stereo) and a brass Quick disconnect ontop of that. is that a recipe for corrosion like this, or is it something completly different.
well, heres what i found.
now, my metallurgy is non existent, but... aluminum terminal, an always hot copper wire pressed up against it (my stereo) and a brass Quick disconnect ontop of that. is that a recipe for corrosion like this, or is it something completly different.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Could be bad internal seals at both battery terminals.Could also be an overcharging battery creating an acid in the air in the battery compartment.The overcharging could be a result of a bad cell in the battery which will fool the alternator into thinking the battery needs more charge.Not sure on the terminal metal type creating a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
I see what you're saying about dis-similar metals accelerating corrosion, yes they do. I'm not sure which terminal is aluminum. The positive cable in the photo with battery is the factory lead. The other photo IDK? Clean them all (obviously) and coat them with dielectric greas in and out. The grease will lock out oxygen and moisture and prevent that corrosion from happening. and it looks like the top of your "Duralast" is a little moist. Remove and wash and dry the battery, if the top gets wet again, the covers are leaking. Make sure the electrolyte level is right. 
Last edited by SH-60B; Nov 7, 2008 at 06:30 PM.
