2005 Battery Ground Connector loose

[goochman]

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?

 

[Scottydoggs]

cut that clamp off and replace it. iirc all you 04 up guys have that crappy terminal.

 

[BillBoost37]

There was a recent post that showed the underside of the connector. It is funnel shaped to tighten on the terminal as you tighten the nut. If there is room to push it down. I would loosen up the nut a bit, push the terminal all the way against the battery and while holding it, tighten the nut. If that leaves it loose, I think I saw a sleeve you put over the battery post to take up the slack.

Found it
http://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...-battery-terminal-end-and-adapter/257147_0_0/

 

[goochman]

Awesome thanks Bill!

 

[BillBoost37]

NP.. happen to have read it somewhere

 

[luckyg817]

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.