Battery terminal getting corroded....
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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From: Oklahoma
Battery terminal getting corroded....
I have a Ford F-150 '94 and I am having trouble with the battery terminals. The truck won't start sometimes and when I clean off the battery terminals the truck will immediately startup, it doesn't need to be jumped. The terminals are covered in a white substance and this comes off easily. However after I clean the white stuff off the terminals are sort of a dull silver/gray color, not the bright color that they should be. The truck will only start after I clean off the terminals and they are shiny again. It only happens maybe once every three/four months, but I have my father who is in his upper seventies drive the truck and I don't want him to have to clean them off one night about 8 o'clock in the freezing rain, etc.,etc.. I would like to know what is happening and how to stop it from happening, so that I don't have to keep cleaning the terminals so often.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 172
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I'm no mechanic, but I have always coated battery terminals with vaseline or some kind of grease, and that apparently keeps them from doing this. However, next time you clean them, also neutralize them by brushing them with baking soda until it doesn't fiz anymore, then rinse with plain water, then dry and then coat with whatever grease/vaseline you plan to use. Unless your battery is faulty, that should fix the problem.
Hope that helps. Others may have advice too.
Frank
Hope that helps. Others may have advice too.
Frank
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,232
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Go to checker auto, and get 2 things. One is a can of nuetralizer, basically a stronger version of baking soda. Clean the battery, terminals, cables, and tray with this. Then reconnect the terminals on the battery and coat them with the protectant that comes in a tube. It is meant to nuetralize any acid, and stops it from forming.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
From: S/C Texas
I didnt understand it myself. I had the same problems. Then it wouldnt start. Took the battery in. Tested fully charged, yet only 100 of 750 amps. Replaced the terminal and cable.
End of problem. Well, and on to the next.
End of problem. Well, and on to the next.
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6
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corroded terminals
Switch to a sealed Optima red top battery. You will never have a corroded terminal, cable or battery tray again.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Germany
Next time you clean things up, lay a penny or two in the middle of the battery (maybe wedge it between the caps to keep it from bouncing off). corrosion will go to the penny (s) and not your terminals. Just clean or throw away the penny when it's full. Cost you about ten cents a year at the most, and no more work. Never had a penny damage a battery.
Good Luck,
Dave
Good Luck,
Dave
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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From: Wake Forest, NC
I would just clean the battery posts, terminals and cable ends with a wire brush or battery post cleaner. Then reconnect the terminals to the battery post and spray the terminals and posts with a good coat of spray paint. This coats the battey posts and terminals helps to keep them clean and seals them from any acid forming. I've been doing this for years and it works for me!
Regards,
Dukernc
1999 F-350 CC Lariat Dually LB 7.3L, 6 speed, 4.10, Linex bed liner, 4" Magnaflow SST turboback exhaust w/ 5" tip
1990 F-150 XLT Lariat 4X4 SB 5.0 EFI, 3.55LS, Modified AOD w/auxiliary cooler, cat back, all around farm truck
Regards,
Dukernc
1999 F-350 CC Lariat Dually LB 7.3L, 6 speed, 4.10, Linex bed liner, 4" Magnaflow SST turboback exhaust w/ 5" tip
1990 F-150 XLT Lariat 4X4 SB 5.0 EFI, 3.55LS, Modified AOD w/auxiliary cooler, cat back, all around farm truck