My car broke, my husband is out of town, PLEASE HELP!?

Question

The car was taking a minute to start, but I drove it anyway. I stopped at a garage sale and it wouldn't start back up. The guy who was running the garage sale helped a little, he opened up the battery and it was super corroded. It looked like a half inch of crystals were growing all over the connections. He poured baking soda and water all over it, and it helped. He couldnt get the cables off the battery. (My husband says that he never touched it because it still worked, even though it looked bad) The cables are a little short, so I dont think I can cut them and put another battery in.
We jumped the car and it started, but about 10 seconds after we removed the cables the car died. We tried that twice.
The guy finally drove me and my baby home, now I have to figure out what to do.
I could try to replace the battery myself, but I dont know how to get the cables off.
Towing is really expensive.
It is a 2000 ford focus (yes- i know that is my problem!)
What do I do?

THe biggest problem is I CANT GET THE CABLES OFF! We tried and tried. Any ideas?

Answer 1

As everyone has indicated your battery needs replaced. If it will start when"jumped" then ask that kind man if he would mind keeping the jumper cables attached for about 15 minutes so that your battery can get a decent charge. If so then after charging go straight to somewhere like Autozone or JC Penny's or Walmart where they have an automotive center and have a new battery installed. If that is something you would rather not spend the money on then you really can do it yourself. Really.

All battery clamps are attached by nuts and bolts. Either metric or standard. They may be tight and hard to turn but if you spray WD40 generously on them and let them sit for about 5 minutes, spray again then put the proper size wrenches to them (you'll need one for the nut and one for the bolt) they will loosen up. When buying a battery be sure to take your old one in for trade (Any store I've bought a battery at will take your old one). This will also help you visually see that you are getting the same type of battery so it will fit in your car. Put it back in, reattach the cables and you're good to go. Very Very seldom do the cables need replacing. If they are broken or frayed yes, replace them, but if not all you need to do is clean the connectors good with a wire brush. Then to prevent corrosion in the future put some vaseline on the terminals prior to attaching the cables. Won't hurt a thing and will stop the corrosion.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It really sounds more like a toasted alternator. You have a lot of corrosion on the battery, but if it died when he disconnected the jumper cables, then it sounds like an alternator. A car will run, as long as the alternator is good, with a dead battery. The battery is storage for starting power, however, a dying alternator will start draining the battery since it cannot produce the volts to keep the battery fully charged. Something similar happened to me. Battery was dead, had Auto Club jump start the car, then drove straight to the auto parts shop and got a new battery. The alternator was still good, so it allows the car to run, as long as you don't turn off the car. Take the alternator to a parts shop that can bench test it and see if it putting out enough to keep a battery fully charged.

Answer 3

Sometimes cables can be rerouted or simply disconnected from spots where they are strapped, in order to get some slack. With bad corrosion it sometimes goes down the cable, under the insulation, so look, before installing the universal ends. Also, someone else, w/more experience, might get them off, a large [10-12"] pair of pliers often works.

But, before doing all of that or going to procedure below, lightly rap on all relays with a screwdriver handle, a sticking relay can cause all kinds of problems.
Here is the test procedure for determining battery or alternator problem after requiring a jump start. Note, requires a voltmeter [$3.50 at Harbor Freight]
1] Check battery voltage on non-start vehicle. Will probably be under 12V. Verify good clean connections, look for cracked corroded or loose terminals.
2] Jump start. Note, always have the jumper vehicle running when performing a jump start, sounds basic but I actually had a friend who argued it should not, meaning he would be jumping with less voltage & could strand both vehicles.
3] With jumper cables removed, check voltage at battery. It should be 12.8V to 13.7V. If below 12.8V the alternator or voltage regulator are suspect. If in the range, the battery is either dead, low on water or in need of a full charge. If over 13.7V the voltage regulator is not functioning properly.
4] Failing those problems, with the vehicle shut off & the doors closed, disconnect the battery ground cable, put a 12V test light between the battery negative & a known good ground. If it lights, something, like an interior or glovebox lamp is staying on.

Take your time, be methodical & good luck!
I was an ASE certified Technician & GNB Battery, customer service rep.

Answer 4

From what you've written it sounds like and obviously the battery and the cables need to be replaced. If the battery can't hold a charge after being jumped then it means the battery is gone. All the alternator does is charges the battery and if the battery is gone what is there for the alternator to charge.
If you have any credit cards or vehicle insurance you may want to check with them to see if you have any automobile towing coverage. Some credit cards and insurance will carry that type of coverage. If you don't have any call your insurance and you may be able to also add that coverage effective immediately. From that point call the towing company and have them tow your car to autozone and a parts person can help you install the battery and cables. You might be able to even ask the tow truck driver to assist you. Just try these things. I hope this helps and best of luck.

Answer 5

I think that you either have dirty battery cables or a bad alternator. Get a neighbor to give you a hand and have them clean the terminals and give you a jump start. Once the car starts, remove the jumper cables and then remove the positive battery cable. If the engine dies then the alternator is shot. If it keeps running, then put the battery cable back on, and let it charge the battery. If the battery is still good, then it should hold the charge and you will be ok. If it doesn't then you'll have to get another battery and they will install it for you.

good luck.

Answer 6

The battery is very old, and needs to be replaced.The fact that the car is a Ford Focus has nothing to do with it. If you can get the car running again, don't turn on the A/C, radio, lights, or any thing else that will draw power from the alternator. Then, have someone follow you straight to Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, or even Wal-Mart, and they will install any battery you buy at no extra cost.

Answer 7

Even if you get the cables off, it is a bit too late to save them. Those cables on the Focus aren't copper from the factory. They are aluminum and God knows what else. They corrode quickly. The replacement cables should be copper. Better to replace the battery (assuming it is O.E.M.), or at least replace the cables and see if that takes care of it. You need to get it running, and get the charging system tested.

Answer 8

The problem is the cable ends. They get a scale built up between the battery post and the cable end that squeezes around it. They have to come off and be scraped cleaned. This can be quite a job for something so simple. Also, if you have never had your battery replaced, its at the end of its life spand too.

Answer 9

Get someone, anyone who can put a new battery in, cutting off the old battery connectors and putting on 2 universal ones are easy for anyone with a wrench..... if you can get the car to an autozone or wallmart or any car store like that when you buy a new battery they will install it, the guy will put the battery terminals on too if you ask him too.

Answer 10

some auto parts stores will install a battery for free if you can get the car there. you can put a battery charger on the battery, make sure there is water in the cells or you can ruin the battery.