Car battery connector1/29/2024 Then, reattach the positive cable to the battery first, and tighten it to ensure it is securely connected. To prevent car battery corrosion further down the line, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly onto the clean battery terminals before proceeding. STEP 6: Reconnect the positive and negative clamps. After rinsing, use a dry cloth or towel to dry the battery, battery terminals, and cable terminal connections, ensuring that the battery terminals are completely clean and dry before proceeding. Don’t just pick up a hose and spray the entire engine, though-that could cause further problems. When the battery terminals look relatively clean and free of corrosion, carefully rinse them using water from a spray bottle or wet cloth. STEP 5: Rinse and dry the clean battery terminals. Wearing protective gloves, glasses, and a mask to avoid health and safety hazards, use a wire brush to gently scrub the corrosion away from the battery terminals and clean the cable connections. Allow the solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or as indicated by the product label. Photo: STEP 4: Apply battery cleaner to the terminals.Īpply the DIY or commercial solution to the battery terminals with an old rag or wire brush. Stir the ingredients together to combine into an effective DIY battery terminal cleaner. Alternatively, you can create a baking soda paste by combining three tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of distilled water. For store-bought solutions, simply read and follow the manufacturer’s directions. With the battery terminals exposed, get your battery terminal cleaner ready for use. STEP 3: Prepare the battery terminal cleaning solution. If you are using any metal tools, make sure that they do not touch the car frame or any other metal while they are in contact with the battery. After removing the negative clamp, you can safely remove the positive clamp, which should be marked with a plus (+) symbol. Depending on the vehicle, you may need a screwdriver or socket set to loosen the negative clamp before removing it from the battery. STEP 2: Disconnect the negative and positive clamps.īefore cleaning battery corrosion, disconnect the car battery from the vehicle by first removing the negative battery terminal clamp, which should be marked with a minus (-) symbol. If you see a white, blue, or green crust on or around the battery terminals, it’s definitely time to clean the corrosion off of them. Lift the plastic covers off the battery terminals to inspect the condition of the connections. If there are any significant signs of damage to the battery, like a crack in the body of the battery, then it’s recommended to replace the entire car battery. When you find the battery, closely inspect it and the battery terminals for any signs of damage, wear and tear, or corrosion buildup. Look for a large black or gray box with one black and one red plastic or rubber cap. The battery is usually easy to spot when you open a vehicle’s hood. Photo: STEP 1: Locate the car battery and look for corrosion. Smoke, sparks, flames, or other ignition sources can also cause a battery to catch fire or explode, so make sure all potential ignition sources are removed from the area before cleaning the battery. When removing the battery cable ends, make sure to remove the negative clamp before the positive clamp when you reconnect the cables, connect the positive clamp before the negative clamp.Ĭar batteries contain sulfuric acid, a chemical that can cause serious chemical burns if it comes in contact with your skin, which is why it’s necessary to wear protective gloves and eyewear when working on or around a corroded car battery. The most obvious risk that a corroded battery poses is accidental electrocution. Testing the battery, charging the battery, and cleaning corrosion on car battery terminals are relatively straightforward maintenance tasks, but it’s still important to keep in mind that batteries can be dangerous. Project OverviewĮstimated Cost: $5 to $10 BEFORE YOU BEGIN We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to and affiliated sites.
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