Bad Battery Cable Bolt (rusty?)

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Oct 30, 2004
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Is there such a thing as having a bad battery cable bolt, perhaps one that has rusted?

So I installed the new battery and connected the cables to the terminals. I turned the key in the ignition--power comes on (good sign) but then I go to start it and heard a clicking sound and then nothing. I pulled out the key, reinserted it, turned the key, and nothing. I thought, OMG, I fried my car!

So I checked the ignition fuses--they were fine. The bolt for the negative terminal never seems to feel like it fully tightens up (you keep turning and then it loosens again), so I disconnected and reconnected the negative cable bolt twice and now the car starts up fine.

Do I have some sort of a problem with the bolt on my negative battery cable?

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...In the end, my wife convinced me to just bring the battery into the Costco even though we didn't have a membership. I had originally bought a Costco battery back in 2007, then exchanged it for a new one in early 2010 (thinking that my starting probs were caused by a bad battery and having no idea that it was a neutral safety switch issue.)

Costco gave me a full refund of the original 2007 battery purchase and I agreed to buy a membership. So I was basically able to get a new Kirkland 700 CCA battery and Costco membership for about $72. Not bad I guess; same battery as the one that died. However, we did end up spending $140 on food at Costco after that.
 
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Raizinman

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2007
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I would return to the auto parts store or Walmart and purchase a new battery terminal end. The cost is about $3. If the bolt is corroded, then likely the whole thing needs to be replaced. Takes about 5 minutes or less. Skill level - None.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Yes.

You can buy shitty GM (as in, shitty design; not necessarily shitty product) battery bolts in any parts store.

Turns but does not get tight = stripped threads. Whether it's the battery or the bolt...well, you'll find out.

I would say get a top post battery and install generic lead cable ends. But GM never gives you more than a spare inch of cable, so that's out of the question.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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Sounds like stripped threads, so it won't tighten. The loose connection is okay for the low current draw of the lights and accessories, but not for the very high current load of starting the engine.
 
Oct 30, 2004
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Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
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Yes.

You can buy shitty GM (as in, shitty design; not necessarily shitty product) battery bolts in any parts store.



Geeez, we get it already, fleabag. Everything GM has touched, designed, built, or even thought of is shitty. We get it. Now go back and make sure your tires are inflated to 10psi above sidewall.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Geeez, we get it already, fleabag. Everything GM has touched, designed, built, or even thought of is shitty. We get it. Now go back and make sure your tires are inflated to 10psi above sidewall.

Or you could just know that GM is the only company that tried to popularize 5/16" side post batteries because they like to pioneer stupid trash. And even they gave up.

(p.s. 5/16" is the bolt size. Roughly 8mm. If you have a sidepost with a 10mm bolt, you have a random bolt that some jackass stuck in there; not a normal sidepost terminal)
 
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