speedemon90

What and where can I get something to clean my battery terminal? Its really dirty so it definitely needs to be all cleaned up.

thinhthan

you could use battery cleaner and use a wire brush and than seal it with the battery sealer

n1njai

iTrader: (3)

Get baking soda and mix it with water, then dip your wire brush into the solution and scrub at the terminals.

bonknhead

Use a battery terminal cleaner. $2 at Harbor Freight

01tl4tl

mix (arm&hammer) BAKING SODA not baking powder- not the same!
a few tablespoons in a glass of warm water
Pour slowly on the blue and white crud- thats corrosive to your clothing and hands/eyes/general well being and happiness... so dont touch it
Make more solution as needed until its all removed and run off- it will bubble away
Now pour clean tap water over everything until residue is clear

Next: remove the NEG battery cable by loosening the nut- then twist very gently on the cable top- ALWAYS remove NEG first and replace LAST

If its tight stuck on, use a screwdriver to pry a space open in the end where the bolt is -loosen bolt more first- you will see- the metal is soft lead
then remove POSITIVE + cable

Clean both cable parts and the battery post with a special $2 wire brush tool that has a male and femal brush setup on one tool- slip it over the battery part and twist,,use the external cone brush for cable part
Or some gritty sandpaper will work too- the idea is a shiny surface on both pieces for maximum contact- minimum resistance

Reinstall POSITIVE + cable first and tighten snugly but gently- easy to break
Install NEG - cable last, tighten
reset the radio security code

Tips: Apply special battery protector grease to top and sides of the connector, or vaseline works well
Use $1 felt red and green spacers (red is Pos- Green Is - gound, intl symbols)
around the terminals-under the cables

With everything clean and the battery checked for full of fluid (if low use only DISTILLED water from grocery store-NOT tap water)
should be at the bottem of the sight ring inside battery
With it clean and full go to any major name parts stores- probably small private stores too kragen zone etc
NOT pepboys or any places with a repair shop as part of them- they want money!!

`parts only` stores check things for free to see if you need to buy a part-
Overcharging in the system can result in fast buildup of crud- or bad-weak ground wire can do it too

Simple test will tell you whats happening with all the charging system-
battery over 4 years old is ready for replacement in most cases
the newer the car the faster the battery dies

acutee

A poor terminal indicates battery itself is in a bad condition, not just the terminals.