Negative Cable Blues

[97ToyCar]

Hey Everybody,

Last week, I went for a short trip to the gas station at lunchtime, car started fine. got back in, hit the key, and got a loud click....then silence...no power.

So I knew it had to be a bad connection at the battery. Popped the hood, jiggled the - cable, and the alarm starts blaring at me....

So I ordered both terminals and a new cover for the + terminal. Plus 2 new nuts for both terminals. All OEM from toyotapartszone.com. They will be in on Thursday. The - cable is corroded something fierce. Positive is OK. May as well do both while I'm in there, though. The actual cables are just fine.

Bad thing is that it's getting more frequent now. Did that twice today. I am spraying PB Blaster on the two terminal nuts that attach to the cables in an attempt to get them to loosen, as they are tighter than all hell, started to bend the - terminal the last time I tried to torque it loose. If all else fails, I'll use a nut splitter to get 'em.

Bottom line question...am I damaging, or could possibly be doing any damage to the ECM, alternator, battery,or any other part of the charging system, by running around with this bad terminal?

BTW, the battery is less than one year old. Goofy cheap Duralast. Next time, I'll get a Totota OEM TrueStart. Takes a 24F group size, if you are curious. There is a 35 size in it right now.

[abew330]

whens the last time you changed /checked the starter? battery?

so you get clicking sound? just one click?
power on (lights, dash, stereo etc etc..) when the problem happens?

make sure you clean / charge the battery
double check connections for the battery cables ( neg / pos )
get the starter tested