My '94 LT1 starts fine then wont do anything, dead. Remove battery cables cleaned replaced and tightened,. Starts fine until the next time.

Also getting corrosive junk around the positive terminal. Any ideas?

 

If the car will start and run then continue running on its own it seems like the alternator is doing its job. Remove the battery then take it and have it load tested at a auto parts store. Auto stores will recharge the battery and load test it....most will do the test for free. If the battery is good reinstall it and look for problems elsewhere....if bad replace it. Either way use vasoline on the battery's terminals when reconnecting it.

 

If it doesn't start, does anything else work? Lights, horn, radio, etc??

The only real way to test the charging system is to have a reputable auto repair shop test the system. They have equipment that load test the battery and chek alternator output under a load created by the test equipment.

Some side terminal battery posts can beclome loose inside the battery. The cable may feel tight, but there could be a bad internal connection. That could not allow the starter to operate properly but still have some amperage available to turn on some lights.

Never use Vasiline on the cable ends where the meet the battery terminals. Vasiline is not a good conductor of electricity. Side termal cables and the battery case itself have a seal that keeps out moisture once the bolt is tightened. That's what the plastic ring is for that is around the battery post.

Other possibilities are a bad cable connection at the starter (this includes the wires from the ignition circuit too) or a bad ground cable connection. It's possible that either of the cables have broken strands of wires inside the sheathing.

Another thing to look for is any leakage of electrolyte arounf the battery case (the base, the lid or around the terminals). Lose too much and the battery will not hold a charge or provide sufficient amperage to start the car.

 

When it wont start, nothing works, no lights, no ignition chimes nothing. When I removed and replaced the cables to the terminals, everything was fine. There has to be an issue with the connection. But, I wonder where the corrision is comming from?

 

If the bolts holding the cable ends were loose, corrosion can begin there even though the plastic covers appear to be tight against the battery case.

Overcharging can also create gases that could escape through the holes in the case where the terminals go thru.

 

Likely the corrosion is coming from acid leaking from the battery side post albeit slight since your not noticing wetness.

Either due to age or overtightening of the cable bolt, the sealant around the side post terminal tends to fail, allowing for the leakage and corrosion.

Just replace the battery -- but be sure to replace it with a true 'maintenance free' battery (must say it on the battery), e.g. an ACDelco.

Reason is the chemistry of a 'maintenance free' battery both reduces its self-discharge rate AND allows for a higher voltage during charging -- which is what our 94 alternator/regulator do -- charge at a typically higher rate than some other car systems.