Battery Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
Battery Problem
I have a 2003 convertable. Last week the power just quit when I tried to start it. I checked the battery and found the terminals were loose but the bolts were tight. I could rotate the cables around the bolts. This reestablished connection so I was on my way. Today I took it apart to investigate and everything looked OK. The threaded holes in the battery were .4 inches deep and the bolt protruded .32 inches from the flat side of the terminal. It turns out the bolt didn't have enough threads on it and was "bottoming out" on the ubthreaded part of the shaft before pulling the terminal tight against the battery. I pulled out the tap and die set and added more threads to the bolts and that solved the problem. This is kinda strange. I've had the car for 2.5 years and never had a problem before. Anyone else ever seen this? I'm thinking that maybe the previous owner put the wrong battery in the car. It is a Delco.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville , NC
Check the inside of the cable mounting terminal, there should be a metal washer/tab. If its missing you will have the problem you listed, in fact in my case the mounting stud would separate from the cable.
