My car wouldn't even struggle to start when I turned the key. I opened the hood, and on the battery there's a cap with a red + sign on it. I pressed that tighter and it clicked. Then, my car started fine. Now.. did I permanently fix the problem? Or did I just get lucky and was the "clicking in" of that part unrelated to the car starting? Please explain what's going on!
2007-11-18 09:58:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The battery terminal connector was loose, and not making good contact! When you pushed on it, you moved it a bit and the contact was made.
This is an easy fix, you should be able to do it yourself! Pop the red cap off, and loosen the bolt that holds the terminal. Pull the terminal off, and use a battery terminal cleaner (available at any parts store or even Wal*Mart) to clean the surface inside the connector, and the battery terminal post! They should be shiny!
Replace the connector and tighten the bolt.
Repeat this on the negative cable!
One thing to be careful of, if you have an anti-theft stereo, be sure you know the security code before you disconnect the battery!
2007-11-18 10:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
in case you initially pay attention a single click or a clicking sound, that’s your starter attempting to teach over the engine without receiving sufficient capability from the battery. that's no longer proper in the adventure that your battery is style new; if the terminals are grimy interior it won't pass sufficient capability to start the engine. it is going to enable the sprint lighting fixtures furniture and radio to paintings, yet no longer sufficient capability to start the engine. eliminate your terminals and look interior them. often, you’ll see a depressing develop interior them. The dark develop is oxidation which could block particularly some the present bypass on your starter. some additionally assume that considering the fact that their indoors lighting fixtures furniture paintings, that their battery isn't the priority, that's no longer, the terminals are the priority. It takes in basic terms a fragment of the capability to run lighting fixtures furniture because it does to start an engine. right here’s the restoration: sparkling all mating surfaces of your battery cables interior and out. sparkling the terminals interior with the aid of the two using a battery brush (you will get one at any areas keep for a pair greenbacks) or a pocket knife. First push aside the outer surfaces, eliminate the terminals and sparkling the interior surfaces till they’re impressive and glossy. Now sparkling the battery posts the comparable. (For part mount terminals, brush the uncovered surfaces, eliminate the terminals (adverse first) then sparkling the surfaces that mate to the battery. All surfaces would desire to be impressive and glossy. Reattach cables, tighten them and start up your automobile. notice: you are able to would desire to re can charge your battery if that's run down.
2016-12-16 12:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here is some expert advice from an old hand. undo each battery terminal one at a time. they are generally 10 mm bolts. take some steel wool any kind will do and polish the terminal and the inside of the "O" clamp that goes over it. when u tighten back on, dont use excessive force as the bolts arent that tough. so long as they are snug and wont wiggle u will be fine. the reason for this is that the terminal builds up a coating of lead oxide which is dull and doesnt conduct elec. well. apparently u had a loose connection or such. good luck.
2007-11-18 10:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by robert s 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"LUCKY!" Battery Cable and/or Battery Problems!
1; Battery; if 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 Years Old or looks Swollen on the Sides replace it! Without Engine Running Battery should show 11.5v to 12.5v, With Engine Running you should see 12.8v to 13.6v showing that the Alternator is working Properly to Maintain Battery Charge (Voltage), "Load Test Battery" (15 Seconds) to make sure it can Take and Hold a Charge!
2; Battery Cables; Check to make sure they are Clean, Dry & Secure at Battery, Starter & Starter Solenoid! Also check All Ground Wires & Straps!
2007-11-18 10:45:49 · answer #4 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get one of those battery brushes, and clean the cable clamp and terminal. Then put a little grease or vasaline on the terminal and tighten the clamp on.
2007-11-18 10:06:12 · answer #5 · answered by Bob H 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you need to take the battery terminals off and clean them good and the terminals on the battery itself and put them back on and make sure they are tight and I think you will be ok.
2007-11-18 11:31:16 · answer #6 · answered by mister ss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The positive terminal sounds lose and you need to tighten it, check the bolt on the side of the connection that is over the terminal
2007-11-18 10:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by Brett F 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It seems the electric cord was loose. By refastening it to the battery you solved the problem.
2007-11-18 10:01:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ands 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You were just lucky.. try to get a pro look at it...
2007-11-18 10:02:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋