new battery, terminal too small
Pookerz
had to get it quickly (borrowed the car's battery to get me to Auto Zone,
they took my old one and matched it to a new one) and it seems the negative
terminal is a hair too small of a diameter for the cable to clamp snug
around. It wasn't a big deal till I took a long drive (bumpy roads in some
areas) and then it started cutting out on me when I'd park. I'm not sure if
it's keeping good contact while operating either, which I hear isn't such a
good idea (driving with the neg disconnected). I just pop the hood and
jiggle the cable back into place better, but it's getting annoying as hell.
Aside from replacing the cable (tedious?) or swapping batteries, what can I
do to 'fix' this? I've heard use a screw or nail wedged in the gap to take
up the slack. Is there anything else I could try? I'm hoping for a safe fix,
rather than a redneck patch.
--
Dee
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Joseph Myers
find, mash enough of them flat to fill the void.
Bruce L. Bergman
<pookydee.remo...@yahoo.com> wrote:
If it's a top-post battery, they used to sell lead battery post
shims at good auto parts stores for just that purpose - they were cut
curved into a slight "smile" shape at the factory from sheet lead, so
when you wrapped it around the truncated cone of the battery terminal
it went on straight.
They might be hard to find after US Industries have gotten gun-shy
about using or handling lead... You might have to find some thin
sheet lead, make a pattern from paper to get the curve right, and cut
some out yourself.
For true desperation, take a few fishing sinker weights, a propane
torch, and a really flat steel or cast iron surface like a frying pan,
and melt your own chunk of sheet lead. When it cools, you can cut
your shim out.
--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.
Pookerz
--
Dee
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"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHO...@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:nt1tj0hcufrjn6p7j...@4ax.com...
PCK
probally someone has overtightened the terminal
new one replaces in minutes
old one will eventually ruin battery
roger
the new battery terminal is wrong-sized. Take the new battery back
to the 'Zone and insist on an accurate replacement battery. If they
can't supply one, get yer money back and buy one elsewhere that'll fit.
Shimming and screwing around with the battery will only lead to problems
in the future. You should not have to mess with a new battery---sellers
have an obligation to supply OEM-type parts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PCK" <you.to.find.@out> wrote in message news:<XuGdnbegIa6...@look.ca>...
Pookerz
(pain in the butt solution.) I just called the store and their reply is
'they're all the same size' (absolute bull, I know.) We'll see what happens
when I take it in a pitch a b**ch-fit (if tact doesn't work first.) ;)
Purchased it back on 6/30/04 so they might press that issue but I've been
busy like mad maintaining two vehicles and keeping up with three kids during
that time, to heck with em. Will let ya know what happens.
--
Dee
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"roger" <roge...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:681ad332.04091...@posting.google.com...
Pookerz
down (the part numbers online were slightly different from my receipt and
battery- they're re-numbering things) and discussed it with the sales clerk.
He went out and had a look, explaining first how Toyota vehicles actually
built in Japan have batteries with the terminal posts identical in size for
positive and negative, so the OEM battery cables are made that way. The
replacement US batteries ALL (according to him) have the negative terminal
smaller (apparently we 'merkins are dumb as posts and can't keep positive
and negative straight, so we have to make them different sizes to avoid
confusion... at least that's my guess.) So, we removed the fat felt pad
which they had sold me prior, slid the cable clamp farther down the post
where it is wider, snugged it up quite tight, and I was on my way.
Thanks for all the input guys.
--
Dee
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"Pookerz" <pookydee.remo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zCj1d.20358$187....@newssvr29.news.prodigy.com...
Bruce L. Bergman
<pookydee.remo...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>That's what I was thinking- just get the right size or replace the cable
>(pain in the butt solution.) I just called the store and their reply is
>'they're all the same size' (absolute bull, I know.) We'll see what happens
>when I take it in a pitch a b**ch-fit (if tact doesn't work first.) ;)
>Purchased it back on 6/30/04 so they might press that issue but I've been
>busy like mad maintaining two vehicles and keeping up with three kids during
>that time, to heck with em. Will let ya know what happens.
The battery posts are /supposed/ to all be the same standard size,
but that doesn't mean they always /are/.
The whole reason for having the shims available is back in the bad
old days someone would go crazy with a terminal cleaning brush or
scraper, and take too much lead off the post. Or they would have a
perfectly good one-piece cast lead terminal and cable that was
stretched out.
Melt a sinker and make your own shim stock. Fighting with the store
over exchanging (what to them is) a perfectly good battery is going to
be a battle, they will insist it's your cable connectors that are
stretched.
roger
Don't let 'em pull that 'all same size' crap---beg, borrow or steal
dial calipers and take them with you when you go for your 'visit'.
I absolutely abhor the arrogance people must suffer at the hands of
the chain-store parts houses---they're especially rude to the ladies.
As an ex parts manager, that chaps my hide! I hope when you go back
the battery appears new---spiff it up as best you can. It's only been
90 days or so---you should be OK. You DO NOT have the onus of having
to buy and replace your cable if the terminal is undersized. Don't
feel guilty if you must be insistent. Good luck----let us know what happens.
Roger
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"Pookerz" <pookydee.remo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<zCj1d.20358$187....@newssvr29.news.prodigy.com>...
Pookerz
The parts store clerk (late 40's, not the kid I spoke with on the phone) was
quite nice about it all, never once treated me as if I was dumb about it
(probably because I came in with my head on straight) and explained things
to my satisfaction. He seemed to want to leave the felt donut on and was
having trouble pushing the clamp down on the post far enough with it there.
I assured him I'm vigilant with keeping my engine clean (although, it's a
lil dusty now, but much cleaner than most engines I've seen) and there was
no need to have the felt on there. I hadn't thought to push the clamp lower
on the post because I was a little timid about getting myself zapped and
just wanted it over with. All's solved and fine now.
After that, I went back to the counter inquired about brake pads for the
car, which is my next DIY project to tackle. Last week it was teaching my
neighbor how to change her oil. I'm a fairly determined gal.
Likuid
Seller did not have any obligation to sell OEM parts. Don't talk about things
that you don't know anything about
--
for full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/toyota_trucks/new-battery-terminal-too-small-27372-.htm
Shinnokxz
The disagreement here was not OEM parts, is that he was sold an item told to work for his vehicle but had issues. Not only that, he was sold an additional item (the felt stoppers) that caused the malfunction in the first place.
This is is a cautionary story which proves why I never trust retail or big brand parts shops, or most businesses that claim to know what's good for my vehicle over me