One more item related to batteries

November 17, 2010

Batteries have two posts which are used to connect it to your car. One is positive, and one is negative.    The ends of the wires which connect to the battery are called “Battery terminals.”  Remember, these terminals are on the wires not the battery.  If the area where they meet is contaminated,  your car may not start.  I have had cars towed here which only needed to have the battery and the battery terminal cleaned to get them started.

When you battery is replaced, it is important clean the battery terminals and the battery.  Over time you might see a solid white mass around your battery posts.  This white substance is acid- be very careful.  This acid corrodes the wires and the battery terminals.  Sometimes you must replace the battery terminals because the acid has badly damaged the terminals, and sometimes you must remove a few inches of the battery wire because the acid “crawled up” the wire.  When a few inches of wire are removed you must also use a new terminal.

The battery terminals fit over a battery post or screw directly into the battery.  These connections must be tight.  If you can move the wire at the battery, you must tighten the connection or your car may not start. 

The negative wire goes to the engine.  The other wire goes to the alternator, and to the fuse box.  With over 26 years of experience, the ends at the battery are the only one which go bad.