Thread: 2005 Battery Ground Connector loose

I came out to start my car this morning and it was 'dead' - the battery is pretty new so I was a bit perplexed. I pulled out my Pepboys jumpstart battery which works best to inflate soccer balls and hooked it up praying for the best. In 0.02 seconds the car started which I found weird.

I drove the car a bit and pulled back into my driveway and same deal - car was totally dead.

After mucking around a bit I noticed the ground connector on the battery moved pretty easily - very easy and after pushing it down the car fired right up. After driving it becomes loose and same solution.

The nut that holds the 'clamp' together doesnt seem to want to move any closer but wondering if there is a correct procedure to make this tighter? Im also ready to take some clamps and crimp it closer together. It wouldnt form a complete circle around the post but would atleast make strong contact - not sure is that is a problem also?

Awesome thanks Bill!

A little trick I use when I install batteries at autozone and run into the same problem is to place a paper clip in between the post and the clamp and that should tighten it enough for it not to wiggle loose on you until you repair it.