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So first drive of the new year, just around the block kind of thing. Hit a bump and radio shut off and restarted.
okay...
Hit another bump and it did it again but now I also have "service engine soon" and the ABS/TC lights on.
Pulled the car into an empty parking lot and this is what I found.
The negative terminal melted right out of the side of the battery and came out after pulling away some of the melted plastic.
Got the battery replaced under warranty but I lost the factory bolt under the tray so replaced that but the new bolt is longer...
So I used some plastic to squeeze down on the cable end so it would make good enough connection to get me home.
Now I'm waiting on new positive and negative battery cables to get here. Still have ABS/TC lights on but haven't tried clearing codes yet and whatnot either.
The battery was put in Sept. 20 of last year.
The battery cable bolt was still tight in the insert when I pulled it from the battery after the melted plastic cooled down enough for me to get at it.
Picture 2 shows that there is no place left for the bolt to go. It came out as a separate piece. I'm thinking that the internal soldered connection was bad from the get go because the cables were tight.
Poor connection or loose connection and it got hot and melted. Glad they replaced it for you
Originally Posted by Autotragic
The battery was put in Sept. 20 of last year.
The battery cable bolt was still tight in the insert when I pulled it from the battery after the melted plastic cooled down enough for me to get at it.
Picture 2 shows that there is no place left for the bolt to go. It came out as a separate piece. I'm thinking that the internal soldered connection was bad from the get go because the cables were tight.
I'm with both of you. It could be either the negative side bolt was loose or too tight (which could have damaged the connection between the connector and battery). Something was definitely arcing as it's melted. You are not the first person to have this happen.
Last edited by knewblewkorvette; Mar 7, 2021 at 12:05 PM.
So first drive of the new year, just around the block kind of thing. Hit a bump and radio shut off and restarted.
okay...
Hit another bump and it did it again but now I also have "service engine soon" and the ABS/TC lights on.
Pulled the car into an empty parking lot and this is what I found.
The negative terminal melted right out of the side of the battery and came out after pulling away some of the melted plastic.
Got the battery replaced under warranty but I lost the factory bolt under the tray so replaced that but the new bolt is longer...
So I used some plastic to squeeze down on the cable end so it would make good enough connection to get me home.
Now I'm waiting on new positive and negative battery cables to get here. Still have ABS/TC lights on but haven't tried clearing codes yet and whatnot either.
Something I learned on these side post batteries years ago still applies to them today. When you get the terminal bolt tightened, grab the cable and see if you can move it around on the bolt. It is possible the bolt has bottomed out before proper clamping force can be applied. I believe they're 5/16-18 threads in the older ones. Anyway, get a nut that matches the bolt thread, tighten it down against the bolt flange, then grind some material off the end of the bolt thread. When done, screw the nut off the bolt will help remove any burr that may be on the end of the bolt you just shortened. Then install the shortened bolt into the battery, and re-check for proper clamping force. Hope this helps.......
Never liked how the cables are in middle of the boots---not tight against the side posts--rubber against the battery post--DUMP the boots and bolt directely against battery--never a problem !!!!
Last edited by royal flush; Mar 9, 2021 at 07:23 PM.
electrical woes
