Just Making SUre I'm Not Dumb
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Just Making SUre I'm Not Dumb
So, the car won't start. First I think it's the starter, then the alternator, so I finally fiddle with it. I attempted to jump the car to see if I could get it started to at least bring it to the shop, and not have to tow it. I've got the hood open and the cables hooked up. Finally at some point the underhood service lights come on, so I try and crankt he car to see if something will happen, and the whole hting goes dead. I leave the battery charging and go out later, and when I open the door the interiors go on, so I trya nd crank it again and it goes compeltely dead. I reach intothe battery area and giggle the positve cable and guess what . . . the lights come back on. I'm thinking I need to to clean and/or replae the battery lug.
Any opinions, please let me know if I'm an idiot and am doing the wrongthing.
THanks guys.
Jeremy
Any opinions, please let me know if I'm an idiot and am doing the wrongthing.
THanks guys.
Jeremy
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
It could be that the terminal itself is falling off the battery. This happened at least twice on my car and on several others that I know. Especially if it's one of those crappy AC Delco batteries.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: new orleans La
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
It could be that the terminal itself is falling off the battery. This happened at least twice on my car and on several others that I know. Especially if it's one of those crappy AC Delco batteries.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
yep....I had the exact same thing happen with my last Delco battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by hz900
Clean the battery terminal and cable end then hook it back up..... Tight. Should solve the problem.
In the past, I've used a slightly longer bolt (that goes through the cable) to create a better connection.
If you want to try this, use a straw or piece of wire to determine how much depth you have to work with. Don't use a bolt that is too long or you'll break into the internals of the battery.
Washers on the head side of the bolt (put the washer(s) on the bolt BEFORE sliding it into the cable hole) can be used for fine depth adjustment.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
It could be that the terminal itself is falling off the battery. This happened at least twice on my car and on several others that I know. Especially if it's one of those crappy AC Delco batteries.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
I'm willing to bet that if you try to tighten the positive cable, it will just fall off.
Check it out and let us know.
Had the same thing happen -- one reason I'll never buy another AC Delco battery. If you clean the terminal and the problem still exists, this is most likely your problem.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Jttheerman
I'm thinking I need to to clean and/or replae the battery lug.
Any opinions, please let me know if I'm an idiot and am doing the wrongthing.
THanks guys.
Jeremy
Any opinions, please let me know if I'm an idiot and am doing the wrongthing.
THanks guys.
Jeremy
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
I can't believe you posted the question, before putting a wrench on the battery cable bolt.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
If he didn't ask, he might not want to attempt the fix and he might bring the car to someone and then he'd never learn anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Similar thing happened to me just after I bought the 91. Turned out to be the neg terminal lug. Someone (previous owner or mechanic) had tightend it too tight and caused a crack in the lug. Over time, the crack had increased until I started having electrical issues and tried to clean the terminals and cable ends. Put a wrench on the neg cable and it fell out of the battery 
. It was only attached by 2 or 3 threads. New battery and cable ends and all is well.
Do not overtighten the connections to the battery.
. It was only attached by 2 or 3 threads. New battery and cable ends and all is well.Do not overtighten the connections to the battery.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by Steel Blue 91
Do not overtighten the connections to the battery.
Some folks are also under the false assumption that side terminal batteries don't develop corrosion on the terminals like top terminal batteries do. Not true. Clean them every so often to prevent problems.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Midddleburg FL
I hate to feel like the oddball. But last summer I my 95 starting having a similar problem, among other small electrical issues. Speedometer flickering and the tach would (sometimes) jump when I touched the break pedal. Weird stuff. Checked my battery terminals (pos & neg) and they were tight and clean. The problem turned out to be my ground (to the frame) from my battery was severly rusted. Cleaned the wire and the frame with a wire brush, put on a new connector and bolt, tightened securely and that did the trick. So if your battery terminals are OK, then check the ground wire at the frame. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
I am amazed at all the problems you folks have had with Delco batteries. I'll have to keep an eye on mine - or knock on wood or something. I had no idea the problem was so widespread.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all your insight. I forget who posted it, but your right, I don't know much about cars in general, but researching here has helped a lot.
For the Optima people, I have an Optima. In fact that's why I knew this wasn't a problem with the battery itself, the battery was brand new. I had a huge accident and they took out the Red Top, I installed myself, and put in a Yellow Top. I thought the Yellow Top was for RVs or something like that.
Anyway, I pulled the battery out and really wanted to replace the postive cable bolt but just couldn't figure it out how to get it off, so I cleaned the bolt and the cable connection with some steel wool and wala, the car started up no problem.
Thanks for all your help and thanks to those people who defended my lack of knowledge and helped me to learn how to fix a simple problem for zero dollars instead of dropping several hundred.
That's what the forum's all about.
Thanks for all your insight. I forget who posted it, but your right, I don't know much about cars in general, but researching here has helped a lot.
For the Optima people, I have an Optima. In fact that's why I knew this wasn't a problem with the battery itself, the battery was brand new. I had a huge accident and they took out the Red Top, I installed myself, and put in a Yellow Top. I thought the Yellow Top was for RVs or something like that.
Anyway, I pulled the battery out and really wanted to replace the postive cable bolt but just couldn't figure it out how to get it off, so I cleaned the bolt and the cable connection with some steel wool and wala, the car started up no problem.
Thanks for all your help and thanks to those people who defended my lack of knowledge and helped me to learn how to fix a simple problem for zero dollars instead of dropping several hundred.
That's what the forum's all about.