Battery Terminal Corrosion

Checking Battery Terminals

Most modern cars run on a 12 volt negative ground electrical system. If your battery terminals or contacts aren’t clean, you’re making it more difficult for the current to pass around the electrical system and you are likely to experience car battery problems.

Remove the terminal caps by first loosening the connector for the negative/ground terminal and then disconnecting the negative/ground terminal from the battery (refer to Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).

Second repeat the process for the positive terminal. Clean each contact post with a wire brush to get a nice clean metal contact surface. Do the same to the terminal caps, then reattach them by reconnecting the positive terminal first, and the negative/ground terminal second (refer to post on Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).

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ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Car Battery Maintenance

Check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery.

• Do not smoke, create a spark or light a match near a battery.
• start simple, keep your battery clean. A dirty case can actually cause current to drain. Wipe with a damp rag. Use a mild detergent if necessary.
• Next, clean the battery posts or terminals (refer to other information in sections Checking Your Battery Terminals & Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).
• Inspect the battery case for damage, such as cracks or bulges (signs that a battery needs to be replaced).
• On certain batteries, coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion.
• Some batteries need water. If your battery has vent caps, remove them to check the level of the electrolyte. It should rise 1/2 inch (13 mm) above the battery’s top plates. If it doesn’t, use distilled water to raise the level to 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6 or 10 mm) below the bottom of the vent cap. Don’t use tap water, as it may contain minerals that can damage your battery. Our technicians check your battery as a part of your regularly car service or scheduled maintenance.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42