SilverIce2000

im having a problem.... it all started by some light that stayed on in the car and the battery died... tried boosting it, turned on for a lil while, wouldnt turn on again... figured its been 4 years leme cahnge the battery... so i changed the battery- now im on a new battery much more powerful-- 835CCA in 32degrees F... NOW.... i turend on the car, used it and put it back in the driveway... then i went back and tried to turn it on but wouldnt turn on.... lights came on and slowly faded away... so i turned it back offf, then tried again.... wouldnt come on, then did same thing a third time and the car just magically turned on again.... MIND YOU, my old battery had a lot of acid particles coming up and dried up and stuff... soo i think the plug that is attatching to the positive of the battery is veryy rusted/acidy/unclean.... the car is acting stupid it turns on sometimes and doesnt turn on when i want it to.... what i did was unplug both positive and negative and put them back and hten it turned back on for the last time................. what do you think is the problem??? i think the battery has charge i mean its brand new... im thinking the plugz that attatch to the positive are soo dirty it doesnt make proper contact with the battery?? please help me out here!!!

hzm82

First, do you remember what lights came on? CEL? (Check Engine Light)
Do you have a multimeter to check the state of the new battery? If your car is not recharging the new battery, your alternator is shot. I doubt corrosion can effect your start up that much.

JimmyTLS

It could be a possible alternator problem. Also, clean those battery terminals...it could help. Try everything you can to keep away from a costly repair.

SilverIce2000

if it was the alternator, then woulndt the car need to be boosted every time?? i have not boosted the car with another car yet on the new battery... it started once, and hten i turned it off and 2 min later i tried it and woudlnt work... so i did that 3 times and the 4th time just magically it turned back on.... no boosts have been used... what do you think?

tl-s4now

Clean the terminals, wires and connections with baking soda/water mixture and a small wire brush. Rinse off with clean water and dry. Apply a spray coating to prevent further corosion. Permatex makes a good one and RS Strauss and Pep Boys sell it or use good old fashioned Vasoline. Make sure the connections are tight

makers

I believe you can also go to just about any moderately equipped shop and have a test run on the charging system. Could be the alternator, or could be the voltage regulator, too.

fsttyms1

start the car up and then disconect the positive cable from the battery the car should run if the alternator is good. get a multi meter and test the voltage at that cable while its off too. it should be in the relm of 12-14 volts. if it dies when you disconect the battery then most likely its the alternator

dands99tl

From what you describe it sounds like a power wire. The corrosion could have eaten it's way through most of the power wires. Check the ground conections as well.

SilverIce2000

the power wire as in the positive right?? thats where the corrosion was from teh previous battery... the actual Ring part that connects to the positive of the new battery is very rusty and stuff... thats the one ur talkign about right??


thanks very much guys i appreciate all the help...
again i know i can always count on ANy sort of info from everyone