Corrosion on battery terminal....

[Joe_Dirte]

My car has been intermittently not starting. Nothing from the starter turning over, car alarm not working, horn not honking.

Usually it started up after a few tries, and I've been busy lately so just said I'll deal with it later.

Well today it DIDN'T start... at all... so I popped the hood, looked at the battery... it still shows green but there was a boatload of corrosion gunk around the positive terminal. Cleaned it off real well, and now my car has started fine 4 times today.

First... can corrosion really cause my problem with NO electrical activity except for the SES light? Second... is there something else I should check before this happens again? Is it time for a new battery, or just something routine I should keep on top off?

TIA

Car is a 1998z with a couple bolt-ons..

[BlazedTech]

Dude, I have made a career replacing acid leaking AC Delco batteries. They are junk! The acid has probably ruined your cable and the paint and suspension components underneath it. I would take a good look at the area, and underneath as well. Get a new battery ASAP unless you like jump starting. If you are lucky yo will be able to get the cable off of the battery. Most of the time it is "welded" to it. Good luck.

[jmd]

When you insert the side-post terminals, jam some dielectric grease (or vaseline) into the terminal. Helps keep corrosion away.

I have never had a problem with AC Delco batteries. Others opinions may differ. :D

[LS1_Disciple]

I had a similar problem on my old Formula. One day, it just wouldn't start - not even turn over. Thought it was the battery so I replaced it - no dice. Had it towed to the shop and turns out the starter was toast.

Rather than pay $400:rolleyes: for a new GM starter, I had the local generator shop rebuild it. He told me that a weak signal from the battery can cause the starter to continue to spin after the car is started. He said to check for corrosion on the terminals and in the cables.

Turns out I had to replace all the cables with brand new ones. Never had a problem up until the day I sold it - cranked like a champ.

So yes, I'd say corrosion can cause major problems. I'm switching to an Optima the next time I see $100.

[JUS]

mine did the same thing...kind of. the leak down corroded the positive terminal to the point that it would 'wiggle' during driving, breaking circuit and killing ignition. the day it did it i had to stop four times in a 10 mile drive to get home...luckily i had an 8mm endwrench in the car (figure the odds).

[renips]

Replace it before it does some real damage

[stevews602]

My POS Delco battery leaked all over the place. If you ask around you'll find ton's of folks with this problem.
I have never had this happen on any other battery.
Pitch it fast...

[Stew]

OPTIMA:D

[johnd]

I had an AC delco let me down last year. For some reason it started leaking around the Pos. terminal and just quit. First time that ever happened with any battery. I've seen battery cables get "cancer" inside where you can't see it and go bad too. Sometimes if it is just a bad connection, you can acutally hear it sizzle when you try to start the car.

[killer01ws6]

Originally posted by jmd
When you insert the side-post terminals, jam some dielectric grease (or vaseline) into the terminal. Helps keep corrosion away.

I have never had a problem with AC Delco batteries. Others opinions may differ. :D

:werd:

Dielectric grease is a must for battery connections, and anytime you replace your bulbs or open any of the Electrical connections outside the car for that matter.

Well if you live in the south and drive in the rain anyway. ;)

[Joe_Dirte]

Thanks for all your input guys :worship:

I went ahead and did my best to clean it up. The cable was a PITA to get off the battery, but I eventually removed it. It was pretty bad... I might be able to save the cable, I dunno.

Getting a battery week after next to replace this POS.