Battery

[dizrick]

Hi,I bought a 1993 toyota pickup with the 4 cyl engine and 4wheel drive about a month ago. It has 149,000 miles on it and I am doing a little straightening up on it. The battery terminals were corroded, so I replaced them and cleaned everything up. Now when I try to start it, all I get is a clicking noise like the battery is low. I charged the battery and it still does it. The lights and accessories come on, so I am not sure what the next step is. It started before I changed the terminals, but with that much corrosion they needed replaced. Any ideas?

[ShawnM]

When the corrosion is that bad it can travel down the wire under the insulation. The cable can look fine from the outside but have heavy corrosion inside. You can check for a voltage drop through the cable or make a small cut in the insulation to see how it is inside. Of course you may just have a bad spot on the starter too.

[texas12]

Yep. Gotta agree with Shawn. Instead of replacing just the terminals, buy new cables and replace both. Positive to starter and negative to good ground. Put some petrolum jelly/vasoline on the terminals to prevent future corrosion.

[nofear4189]

also could try a new battery. My 4wheeler did the exact same thing. All lights worked, but it wouldnt turn over. Charged it, and nothing still. Got it tested at a local battery shop, and it was shorted out inside. but do what these guys have said first, just in case that solves the problem and its not the battery itself.

[dizrick]

Thanks everyone, I am going to pull the battery out and get it tested. I think I will just change the cables while I am at it.