Yesterday gal and I met some friends for lunch. Lunch done, need some gas. Fill up, leave the gas station..and battery voltage starts to go wild.

All sorts of warnings light up and the voltage falls all the way to zero and car shuts off. I leave it off for a minute and then it starts right back up again. A few seconds later, same thing happens. OK, time to give up and get it towed.

Not the smartest thing, but my gal was with me and I was desperate and stuck in the middle of the road. I turn the car on yet again, give it a little stomp just enough to get me to a very nearby gas station and I park it there under the shade. I pop the hood and the positive battery terminal is smoking. We both get out of the way in case it explodes, but nothing happened. Went inside, call AAA, had it towed home.

After a bit of searching, it would seem that the likely gremlin is a loose connection. The high resistance is causing lots of amperage and heating up the cable. I tried to move the cable, and it does have a tiny bit of wiggle on it. I also have some after market terminals on it because my OEM terminals were really corroded at one point.

I'm hoping there isn't a more serious issue beyond this. I'm going to pick up an OEM positive battery cable and install that to eliminate possibility of the aftermarket terminal causing problems.

Any other sound advice or alternate explanations on the cause, or specific instructions on how to install the new cable i should know?

 

Sounds like you already have it figured out. I would take both terminal off, clean them and the battery posts with a wire brush, put them back on and make sure they don't move. You may not need to replace anything.

 

Only reason I'm going to replace cable is the red plastic terminal cover melted all over the place. Half of it melted right off, and the rest is all crud on there still. Not even sure if the battery is still good, probably need that tested.

In any case, if the new battery cable is all one piece including the terminal like I expect, I want to go back to OEM vs. the aftermarket terminal on there.

 

It is all one piece but the OEM terminal is pretty cheap. IMO any aftermarket one is probably better.

 

While you're at it, check the ground cable and both terminals to see if they're clean and tight. Replace if questionable.

The ground is just as important as the positive cable/terminals.

 

It's funny because conventional wisdom is that batteries go bad during freezing weather but in reality more go bad during hot spells and the symptoms can be really wierd, as you witnessed.

If it was me and since you do have AAA... After replacing any bad cables I would call AAA back again and ask for their battery truck. They will come out to your place and check the battery and test it to determine if it is bad. If it's bad they will also offer to replace the battery for you - or you can then go get one yourself.

I have done it both ways. On the one hand it's easier to let them replace it for you and they do provide a great service but it will cost a little more. On the other hand once it's determined that the battery needs to be replaced, you can just go pick one up at Costco, etc. and pop it in if you're so inclined and that's a lot less costly way to go.

Good Luck!

 

OEM cables are sold as a pair form dealer

 

Local parts store sells individual OEM cables. So does GMWarehousedirect.com

Local guy has them in stock, so I don't have to wait for shipping.

 

The oem connectors are stamped sheet metal...very poor. Don't spend lots of money on junk.

 

OEM cables are junk? What's the alternative? I don't have equipment to crimp my own stuff.

 

Oem connectors are junk and are an integral (not sold separately) part of the cable. As EV said above, almost any aftermarket is better.

 

Hmm...well maybe I'll stop by NAPA today and try just switching out the terminal first and see what happens. I can get cable in the morning if no dice.

 

I wager you found the culprit when you found the wiggle. Let us know.

 

Yeah its a little warm to day


NSF

 

Here too, it was 88° this afternoon, humidity at 48%.

But it will be better tomorrow, sunny and a high of 80°.

I'll manage somehow.

 

A bit hot here too.

 

Had a local forum member take a look this evening..on very short notice mind you.

The loose terminal caused overheating ..thus the smoke. Burnt up the terminal and also toasted the alternator. All fixed up now just in time for road race this Saturday!

BlownBlueZ06, you have my deepest gratitude sir.

Anyone in ths DFW area, if you can make it to Forney....this man is the real deal and works exclusively on late model GM. Mostly Vettes and Camaros I think. Headers, cams, tunes, dyno, you name it. Highly recommended!!!