When it rains, it pours...

[Deano]

Well, yesterday morning my wife and I got in the Cruiser to head to the park for our morning walk. Twist of the key; clickclickclickclick. Hmm. So we got in the Neon and took off.

Couple hours ago, went out to figure what the problem was. Took a look at the battery terminals, noticed they were kinda nasty. So I went to take the cable off to clean it up and half the bolt broke off.

Is the terminal bolt something that can be replaced with any bolt and nut that'll fit? Rather not have to replace the whole cable if I don't have to.

[CREWZIN]

If your talking about the bolt that holds the cable end tight around the battery post, You should be able to use any bolt that holds it tight. It's the cable end itself that transfers the power or grounds the battery.

That nasty stuff your seeing seems to be quite prominent on a lot of cruisers. A lot of talk on the forum about it.

Make sure you clean everything up good before putting the cable back on.

[Deano]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

If your talking about the bolt that holds the cable end tight around the battery post, You should be able to use any bolt that holds it tight. It's the cable end itself that transfers the power or grounds the battery.

That nasty stuff your seeing seems to be quite prominent on a lot of cruisers. A lot of talk on the forum about it.

Make sure you clean everything up good before putting the cable back on.

Yup, that's the one.

Does it sound like the battery needs to be replaced, too? The thing about it is we went to the park the day before and it started and ran fine.

Forgot to add that I jumped it and it fired right up. Shut it off and back to the clickclickclick.

[CREWZIN]

That click-click-click is definitely a sign of a weak battery but doesn't mean it's not good. Mine had to be jumped when I got back from a 2 week trip up north. The PT sat in the garage but now it's fine. I did take it for a 30-45 minute ride to let the alternator charge it up. Sounds like you didn't charge it up enough to be able to start it after jumping it.

Best thing to do it take your PT to Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Discount Auto or another shop that will test the battery for free to see if it's still good and they can also test the whole charging system.

[bobs turbo pt]

any bolt would be ok as long as it fits and have your local pep boys check the battery for you

[Deano]

Jumped it again and let it run for 30- 45 minutes. Shut it off, you guessed it; clickclickclick. Only this time I heard the warning chime and noticed the battery light. Time for a new battery!

[CREWZIN]

Yes, sounds like it, but again, have Pep Boys, Auto Zone or almost any other auto shop test it for you and make sure your whole charging system is OK.

[bobs turbo pt]

let us know how you make out

[Deano]

Wouldn't ya know, I get ready to run and buy a new battery, and get ready to take the old one out and, just for the heck of it, I try to start it. Fired right up. I called Advanced and they said that it could be a lose wire. The thing is, the battery light came on when this first happened almost a month ago. Does the light mean that it could be just a problem with the charging system and not just singling out the battery? Yeah, I realize the battery is a part of the charging system.

[CREWZIN]

It could be any one of a number of different things including built up crud on the battery terminal, loose wire, alternator or the battery itself.

I thing Advanced Auto can hook up your car and tell you if it's the alternator or battery and while he's doing that you can check the terminals for good contact.