My 2001 F150 Supercrew, 5.4Triton broke down yesterday, have to replace the alternator. Problem is that the positive terminal was a bit corroded, and I can't get the screw loose. I was able to pry the terminal off of the battery post, but I want to "fix" the corroded end with a new one. Trouble is, the cable is one big snake and goes into the bottom of the engine compartment, with a built in fusable link as part of the cable. Can I just cut off the end where the terminal is attached to the cable and replace the terminal, or do I have to start over with the whole wire harness to the selenoid and starter?? The reason that I am asking is that there are two wires at the terminal and I don't want to create a problem.

 

I would say clip the terminal end off and replace it. If the corrosion is down in the cable, you will eventually have to replace it, but you can get by now with a new terminal connector.

Make sure you clean the battery up and neutralize the acid....

 

Here's one I think I can give some good advise on. Had a cable end go bad on my one truck and put a cheap end on till I could find something better or replace the whole cable. I think it was Autozone, they have replacement ends with a short lead then a female end on it with a setscrew. Cut off your old end, strip back the cover about 3/4", (put the heatshrink cover over the cable first) stick the end of your original cable into the female end and tighten the setscrew with a large screwdriver. Heat the shrinkwrap and you're done. Watertight, solid and has an original end just like the factory job. They had both the positive and negative ends when I looked about a year ago. Quick, painless and it's been on for about a year and no issues at all.



Paul