battery wire

[Fox]

went for a 5 min drive. got out, got back in and car had 0 power. shook the positive wire around a bit then the power returned

how do i fix this? get new wires? new battery?

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Clean them up and make sure they are tight.

If any further problems after that, you might have to replace.

 

[ItHurtz]

id strip the wire back to new copper and install new terminals. Had to do that on my truck

 

[Erik Adam Rodriguez]

clean the terminals on the battery good to go

 

[LeadfootCJ7]

How old is the cable? Have you had a battery go bad and corrode? Often times the acid will get inside the insulation and corrode the wire, but it is not visible. The strands will break, but you won't see it unless you peel the insulation back. Typically, if I have a battery fail and leak acid on the cable, I just replace the cable to avoid potential problems down the road.

 

[BillBoost37]

If the bolt is loose (likely it is now) clean the cables and tighten them down. Keep in mind you are going into lead. It's not super strong like steel.

 

[Fox]

the cables are probably as old as the car. i bought the car last year, and according to the receipt, the battery is a little over 1 year old. however there is white residue on the terminals which looks like there is corrosion. i think im going to have the battery and wires replaced because popping the hood to pull the cable to start the car is ghetto as hell. the alternator is brand new and i dont want to go fuking it up with a corroded battery

 

[BillBoost37]

Would it be easier to start by using an 8mm to unhook them both and clean them, then snug them up?

 

[91parkave]

If you can snug the terminals put a paper clip in between then tighten them down

 

[coolone]

If you can snug the terminals put a paper clip in between then tighten them down

Good fix to get you home, but by no means is this a viable permanent solution. You're putting amperage through an 1/8th inch piece of junk metal... Lol

Anyways, as noted, clean and tighten are first steps. If problems continue afterwards then you'll need to isolate the problem by checking all connections, grounds and such at the battery and alt and frame.

Good luck!

 

[Fox]

Would it be easier to start by using an 8mm to unhook them both and clean them, then snug them up?

i suppose you're right. so the terminals are the little horns sticking on top of the battery? do i clean them with a wire brush and some water with baking soda or something?