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She's a Picky One

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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 01:27 PM
  #1  
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Talking She's a Picky One

My truck is picky, picky, picky about her batteries!!!

Shortly after I bought my truck nearly a year ago, I had a hard-start issue that turned out to be dirty battery terminals. We cleaned the terminals with a wire brush, dumped some baking-soda water to clean them off, problem solved.

So last night I went out to start up my truck, and alas no start. I popped the hood to find some somewhat crusted battery terminals. After a good cleanse, she started right up.

Question #1 - What can I do to keep this from happening? Do I need to make it part of my routine maintenance to clean my terminals every 5 months?

Question #2 - If my terminals are so easily gummed, is it possible I am in need of a few new batteries?

Thanks guys!!!!!
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 01:29 PM
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I had that problem and I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and bought some anti-corrosion stuff that you coat the terminals with. It looks like vaseline and works like a charm. Terminals are as clean today as the day I applied it.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 01:33 PM
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From: Florence,SC
do you have any radios, cbs or anything that pulls on the battery while sitting there with the truck off? anytime you are pulling current out of the battery it will cause corrosion because of the electrical activity between the two metals. like tex said, there are things you can put on to help this issue or you could go fancy and put gold ends on the cables!!
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 02:04 PM
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Anti-Corrosion..Got it. I think O-Reily is actually Checker Auto in my part of town. I go there every so often so i'll check it out.

As far as electrical draw, that shouln't be an issue. My radio is stock, and I don't have any aftermarket lights or anything of the like. The only thing that is running while the truck is off is the block heater. So, if I do have an electrical draw then I must have some faulty wiring somewhere.

I highly doubt this is the case. The truck has been left sitting before for probably close to a week or so at a time and started right up. If I were losing electricity, wouldn't I have dead batteries after that amount of time?
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BowTieHatr
like tex said, there are things you can put on to help this issue or you could go fancy and put gold ends on the cables!!
Sounds like bling bling! OOoOoo!
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 03:04 PM
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There are felt rings that you can pick up at the auto parts store that slip over the terminals that stop coorosion. Also if you have to reach in the engine compartment you won't get greese all over you.

Steve
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 03:05 PM
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No-Co rings, I have used those too.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 03:38 PM
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the guys that install bateries at the car lot i work at use this red stuff that they spray out of like a spray paint can, might check into that also, they wrap a cloth/towel under the termanal so that it does not get on the batterie...stays kinda tacky even when "dry".

_______________
99' F-350 PS CC LB SRW 4x4 XL
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 03:45 PM
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by Smokin'
My truck is picky, picky, picky about her batteries!!!
Sounds like a typical "girl" truck to me

Sorry, I couldn't resist.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Pocket
Sounds like a typical "girl" truck to me

Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Actually, i'll agree with you on that one, 100%. She is a GIRL truck, and i'll tell you why:

Now just like any girl a good truck is the best thing in the world as long as you take care of them. Now with my truck, despite the occasional "bitchy" moment (we've had only two in a year), she is:

1) RELIABLE

2) PRETTY

3) TOUGH AS NAILS

Sounds like all girl qualities to me, I think.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 04:58 PM
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by Smokin'
Actually, i'll agree with you on that one, 100%. She is a GIRL truck, and i'll tell you why:

Now just like any girl a good truck is the best thing in the world as long as you take care of them. Now with my truck, despite the occasional "bitchy" moment (we've had only two in a year), she is:

1) RELIABLE

2) PRETTY

3) TOUGH AS NAILS

Sounds like all girl qualities to me, I think.
I can't disagree there. I think I'll

Of course, I know my truck is a guy:

1) He's always blowing smoke out his rear

2) He's noisy

3) He smells funny

 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:27 PM
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Amen ! I love people with a sense of humor.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:30 PM
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LOL.
Smokin' you need to replace those batteries. They are leaking at the posts and will completly ruin your cables if the problem is not corrected.
I use these battery pads from http://www.noco.biz/ that I buy through Interstate Battery that are pretty good at stopping normal amounts of corrosion. But from the sounds of what you are going through with the corrosion coming back in one week, you need to get rid of those batteries.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
LOL.
Smokin' you need to replace those batteries. They are leaking at the posts and will completly ruin your cables if the problem is not corrected.
I use these battery pads from http://www.noco.biz/ that I buy through Interstate Battery that are pretty good at stopping normal amounts of corrosion. But from the sounds of what you are going through with the corrosion coming back in one week, you need to get rid of those batteries.
Well it actually took close to 7 months for the corrision to return. Does this still mean I have bad batteries? The posts didn't actually didn't LOOk too bad, looked fairly normal to me, but the diesel definitely noticed. They did fizz quite a bit when I cleaned them though.

I wouldnt be too surprised if they were bad though. They are Wal-Mart crap. I would like to replace them with two red tops- pricey, though.

Mom, Dad, all I want for Christmas is...batteries...
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:11 PM
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Good batteries don't leave corrosion at the post like that, period. And I've never found brand of battery that has a perfect track record.
I've had very good luck with Interstate, but they cost nearly as much as the OEM batteries, which are pretty good themselves.
 
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