Negative Battery Cable

You are not doing your own homework, you are outsourcing your work to the forum. We are doing your homework. I'm all about leveraging your resources and this is what the forum is here for but you are not doing your homework.

I think the problem exists between the keyboard and your chair. You have a problem with rust, rather than spending 500+ on an engine harness that your parts guys were right about and you didn't believe, forum members are recommending that you cut the cable, crimp new ends and use a new terminal connector. I'm starting to feel for your parts guys.

 

My negative clamp was in bad shape one of the times I got back from being overseas and was going to need replacing anyways so I just cut the clamp off and put one of the ACDelco style clamps on, clamping the two ground wires in it. I've always carried a spare set of terminals in the tool bags in my vehicles and also in the boats I've owned; you'd be surprised how often a terminal will fail for one reason or another. Anyways, these terminals are kind of a universal, emergency fix until you can get a properly crimped cable but it's been on for like five years now and still going strong.

Example:

$10 ACDelco Professional 3BA35 Battery Cable Terminal

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-3BA3...sprefix=battery+terminal+clamp,aps,115&sr=8-8

 

It’s unfortunate but common. Ya gotta buy the whole thing even though you just need a little part. This is pretty extreme.

Looking at that terminal, I don’t think it’s bad enough to need to replace. Even if some acid has wicked up the cable, I’d still try to save it.

Take the battery out. Put a little cup of coke where the battery was and dunk the terminal. Leave it to soak. Maybe take it out and give the cable a pinch occasional. You’ll be amazed how clean it’ll look when it’s done.

Brush the terminals and posts WITH A BATTERY BRUSH.

Acid likes to corrode the hold down bracket and j bolts too. If needed soak them too.

For corrosion prevention, I’ve tried many different brands. Noco seems to work good. You could use the felt pads. Or the spray on or brush on liquid. They have this kit that has a battery brush, cleaner, preventative spray and felt pads.

NOCO NCP2 M401 Battery Terminal Cleaning Kit With Battery Corrosion Preventative Spray, Battery Cleaner Spray, Battery Terminal Cleaning Brush, And Anti-Corrosion Washers

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-Terminal-Corrosion-Preventative-Anti-Corrosion/dp/B009LWZPAI

I’ve used just the felt pads without cleaning and later found it to not look any worse and the white powdery acid is sorta neutralized.

$6 NOCO NCP2 MC303 Oil-Based Battery Terminal Protectors, Anti-Corrosion Washers, and Battery Corrosion Pads (Pack of 2)

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-MC303S-Corrosion-Terminal-Protectors/dp/B001DKUTR0?th=1

If you really feel the need to replace that negative terminal and cables you could get military style terminals and premade cables with lugs already crimped on.

If it were mine and I wanted it replaced I’d use crimp on terminals and lugs and probably upsize the cable to at least 0 using this hammer crimper. Last time I did that on one of my vehicles I used 0000, which was overkill.

$29 EZRED B790C Hammer Indent Crimping Tool, Crimps 8 gauge to 4/0 AWG

https://www.amazon.com/Z-Red-B790C-Hammer-Crimper/dp/B000M7LFKK

 

mic_sierra.....There are 3 pages to this topic & your comment is the only one that takes a jab at the expression of my concern...My problem is NOT about rust, all along I stated I was looking for a replacement of a leg to this cable....All of these responders to my question, offered their thoughts & suggestions, which is typical of forums, I see this as homework, & obviously you don't, but you felt necessary to take a personal attack. Unfortunately as usual, there is always one guy who stands out among the rest with snide remarks, elevating their ignorance .....However this is a fact of life that we all experienced, its known as 'Bulling"....Now go ahead & respond to be 'one up' .........for the rest of you, Thank You........

 

So just so I can get this straight, it's okay for you to call your parts guys dumb or lazy for giving you the answer you didn't want to hear, but was nonetheless correct, and it's okay for you to call out all those trying to help as needing to go back to university because they agreed with the parts guys, but it's not okay for someone to actually respond? Me thinks you are just proving the point that there is always that guy.

 

I saw a sign outside a restaurant that said "Please be nice to our employees, customers are easy to find, employees are not"

 

OK... ( Mr mic_sierra) So you understand about getting things straight.....If you actually believe that anytime a customer walks in to any shop & the only way to get a battery cable whether positive or negative is to sell them a wiring harness? Meaning.... So Mr or Mrs Jones.....The positive battery cable for your car is $40.14 0.3 labor @ $110.00 per hour is $33.00 The battery is $165.00, Now the negative battery cable is only available with the engine harness which is 9.0 labor @ $110.00 = $990.00 & the harness is $398.00 Total amount before tax is: $1626.14.....How long would you be in business selling a customer a battery & a couple of cable ends for $1626.14 ???? Huh ??? "Is this something they want to hear" but I'm suppose to like hearing it?.... Or would you say as the parts guy.... "Let me get the service Manager & see what we do in the case of the negative battery cable"....Which actually he should already know the answer as all the parts come through the parts Dept for the shop repairs....Is this starting to get clear & making sense ???, This goes back to your first sentence about "dumb & lazy" & I don't believe he's dumb, he just didn't give a shit in plain english, Let me remind you, I was giving him a $300. plus parts order.....And with regards to my statement about the "University of battery cables" it wasn't directed at any of the responders to my post, so don't deflect on that comment.....When I concluded my post, I Thanked everyone for their reply's... Lastly...In my "Homework" that you accuse me of having forum members do, I located a company who splices wiring harness & replace OEM terminal & battery ends....as when First Responders cut battery cables at the scene of accidents, they repair the harnesses to OEM specs not replace them...This company is I CAR certified & is an approved repair method by Insurance companies.....And by the way, like it or lump it "The Customer is always Right"......

 

That's the difference between the dealer and an independent. The dealer has to sell the whole harness, an independent has more options with aftermarket parts from a parts store.

Saying that the dealer parts guy "is just lazy and doesn't give a shit" just shows how little you understand parts and availability

Thanks for stopping by, hope you get something figured out

 

Glad you "figured" it out. If only someone had mentioned earlier that you could buy a short section of cable, some connectors and splice that into the current harness. We could have save some time there.

 

Lol. Wtf.

If you want that piece from the factory, replace the whole harness. Otherwise, build your own with aftermarket parts

 

This thread, by your own words, proves otherwise. Parts dudes told you it was a harness, you said no. Confirmed here it was a harness, you double down. I'm going to do what your parts guys wish they could: ignore you and move on.

No BS, I do hope you get this thing figured out. I'm just concerned about how many bridges you burn in the process. I can promise you I will not be responding to any future posts of yours which is probably your desire anyway. Deuces ✌.

 

Good to hear you found a company that can help you fix the cable.
Not sure there’s any need to further discuss this issue.
This thread hasn’t progressed in a positive manner.
I say we lock it down and move on.

Maybe go over to the 3rd Gen forum and give an opinion on frame structural integrity.
It’s Friday

 

mic_sierra.....Understand the frustration...Yeah I could just lop off the end of the cable, & go to Wal-Mart & get a universal end....Could have got 1/2 the parts I needed at Rock Auto....Went to the dealer for the knowledgeable professionals in the product.... Its like you need a special plumbing fitting, you either go to Home Depot or the plumbing supply house.....This is the difference I hoped to communicate......I'm certain you have experienced a disappointment that was totally unexpected....I moved on from this topic a couple of days ago...Again I Thank everyone for their time & suggestions Great Day to all.....

 

Unwatched. I’m done too.

 

Well this thread was negative from the start.

 

Me three: unwatched
Buh-bye