Battery cable problem

[BigPete]

My + connector on my battery cables ended up becoming too loose to hold on to the battery post. It got so bad that the car wouldn't start unless there was something holding connector to the post (like the vice grips that I was using for about a week ).

I picked up some replacement connectors and while changing them out I couldn't get the old connectors off of the cables so I ended up snipping them off. I knew that I had enough length on the - cable to make the cut, but it wasn't until after I cut both cables that I realized that the + is now too short.

So, should I try to replace the + cable or can I just put an extention in to make the connection?

Currently I've got to pop the hood, tilt the battery just right and rig the wire to touch the battery in order to start the car and then hop out and put everything back before going any where.

[renmike]

A new cable is not that expensive and I feel would be the 'right' way to fix it.

[bigbird]

buy new cables

[CharmCityES]

new cables are the best route
do it right the first time i always say

[95WhiteCamry]

cables are really cheap so just get new ones. i think they're about 10 bucks a pop at the local autozone.

[Mike Gerber]

Yes, buy new cables. If I understand your temporary measure for starting and driving the car, you are temporarily connecting a wire to the battery only to start the car. Then you are disconnecting that wire and driving the car. If this is what you are doing, stop it. You are driving the car only off the alternator. You will eventually kill the alternator and possibly destroy some of the more sophisticated electronics in the car due to the voltage spikes the car is experiencing. To repair those electronic items, along with possibly an alternator, may make the cost of a new battery cable seem trivial. If it were me, I wouldn't drive the car until I got a new cable on it. If I'm missinterpreting what you are doing, my appoligies and just ignore this post.

Mike

[BigPete]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Yes, buy new cables. If I understand your temporary measure for starting and driving the car, you are temporarily connecting a wire to the battery only to start the car. Then you are disconnecting that wire and driving the car. If this is what you are doing, stop it. You are driving the car only off the alternator. You will eventually kill the alternator and possibly destroy some of the more sophisticated electronics in the car due to the voltage spikes the car is experiencing. To repair those electronic items, along with possibly an alternator, may make the cost of a new battery cable seem trivial. If it were me, I wouldn't drive the car until I got a new cable on it. If I'm missinterpreting what you are doing, my appoligies and just ignore this post.

Mike

Nope, this is pretty much what I'm doing. I've got the cables, but I got off of work late and didn't have time to fix them this afternoon. Guess I've got a project for tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

[BigPete]

I've spent the past hour fighting with the rubber cover that is over the bolt on the pos connection to the starter. Any clues how to get it off without completely removing the starter?

[fusion1320]

new cables will run u maybe 4 dollars a piece at wal mart

[BigPete]

Originally Posted by fusion1320

new cables will run u maybe 4 dollars a piece at wal mart

gee thanks

I already have the cables. I was just asking most recently about trying to get the + cable off of the starter. I ended up pulling the starter, which was alot easier than it was a year ago when I was replacing that.