I have a 96 Buick Le Sabre. The battery connection is loose. it doesnt have the connectors that have a bolt- it just slides on. what can i do to get a better connection? my car has now stopped running like 3 times becuz of this. once even while driving down the road. any suggestions would be helpful...ty so much in advance!
2007-01-23 12:49:10 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Go to a parts house and purchase the type that you're talking about. Cut the ones off of the cables and replace with the type that has the bolts.
2007-01-23 12:54:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, PLEASE use safety glasses when working with any lead-acid battery.
Second, I have never seen a lead-acid battery connection without some mechanical fastener... not just push on. If the bolt/nut is missing, you'll have to go purchase a new bolt/nut OR a new battery cable... make sure you get the right cable for the battery though.
Third - The 1996 LeSabre was built with the standard battery connection that accepts a bolt with the cable. If you do have this, clean the two mating surfaces with a wire brush, then use a 5/16" nut driver or socket with a rachet to attach. Be careful not to ground out the positive terminal when you tighten this (see below for torque).
However, it sounds like someone replaced your battery with a post and clamp type application. you should have a nut and bolt on the post clamp. First, clean the posts with a wire brush to remove corrosion. Do the same for the clamp. Then loosen the bolt and nut (don't disassemble), push the clamp over the post. You may have to widen the clamp by prying it open with a screwdriver... if so, then gently do so. Once you get the clamp on, tighten the nut (see below for torque)
Remember not to mix the positive (+) and the negative (-) cables!
Tighten the nut or bolt to ~ 10 lb-ft (120 lb-in or 14N-m)
2007-01-23 13:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by ClueFone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This isn't complicated, the two cables are just clamped to the posts sticking out of the battery, you can just tighten the clamps. I would suggest you drop into a reputable garage and have them do it if you don't know what your doing simply because there is a hasard of electrical shock should you inadvertantly touch the frame of the car with a tool while working on the positive post. The posts are tapered and simple pushing it on further while aplying a slight twist will help you out in the mean time, but the clamp needs to be tightened. If your going to get someone to tighten it for you, ask them if they would clean the battery post and inside the cable clamp first.
2007-01-23 13:16:44 · answer #3 · answered by al b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the old style battery cables?, take a pair of channel locks and squeeze the ends towards one another and that will shrink the size of the hole so it fits better on the battery terminal, if that doesn't work you can just buy a new end for it, clip the old end off with wire cutters and peel back some rubber on the old cable, about an inch or a little more and bolt the new end onto the cable, any parts store will carry the ends.
2007-01-23 13:00:14 · answer #4 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replace the factory connectors with ones that will allow you to tighten the connection. Make sure your connection is clean and use a product called Cart-Pro.
Have the battery tested, if it needs replacement I would suggest going with a Optima Gel-Cell battery or something Comperable. Napa has a pretty good selection.
2007-01-23 13:00:08 · answer #5 · answered by jake622003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replace with simple stud Connectors. Simple task with Cutters No. 4 cutters then simply connect your new connectors and you should be fine.
2007-01-23 12:58:15 · answer #6 · answered by oe542 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change you battery cables they arent high go to auto zone
i have a 98 buick park ave ultra and thats all we did
2007-01-23 14:13:45 · answer #7 · answered by cute redhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋