Can anyone tell me how to clean the contacts on the car battery?

[mAdD INDIAN]

My contacts on the battery have gotten really dirty and the car doesn't start wihtout being jump started. My dad suggested I clean the contacts on the battery?

How do I do that? Can I just pull out the contacts fom the battery?? What can I clean it with?

 

[911paramedic]

there is a little gizmo you can buy at any parts store for a couple of bucks. It is a little round wire brush thingy that you just put on the terminals and spin it around.

 

[vi edit]

The terminals on the battery, or the cables that connect to it?

For the terminals, just use a steel wired brush to scrub away the crust. Should be able to do the same for the cables. If the brush is too harsh, use a non-soaped steel wool scrubbing pad.

 

[tdog44632]

Go to Autozone, or Pepboys and buy a battery terminal cleaner. Remove your cables use one side to clean the terminal the other to clean your cables. They can also check for free to see if alternator, or your battery are bad.

Tony

 

[Electric Amish]

Use a mixture of water/Baking soda along with the brush. This will help neutralize any acid.

amish

 

[Spikesoldier]

Use sulferic acid on that mofo to kill all that nasty.......sulferic acid!


j/k

But really use Baking Soda to counter the Sulferic Acid. Then hose it down

 

[dullard]

If you happen to be stuck somewhere and you don't have steel wool/baking soda/Pepboys sitting in your trunk then you might think you are screwed. However go to the nearest building, grab a coke (or pepsi) and poor it on the contacts. It works well (but remember to wash the sugar off when you get home).

 

[Jzero]

<< Use a mixture of water/Baking soda along with the brush. This will help neutralize any acid.

amish >>



Yeh buying all these solvents and gizmos? Water and Baking soda is the time-honored way to clean battery terminals.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

while your at it, visually inspect you battery cables for cracked and rotten insulation. Replace if they look all cruddy inside (i.e. not just surface crud). That will probably impress your dad.

 

[topcat903]

1) if you got the dough, take it into a shop and let them charge you an arm and a leg.
2) if you know a mechanic, bring him the swimsuit edition of SI and he'll do it for free.

but if those options are not feasible, listen to what everyone else is saying (i like the baking soda/water idea). btw, i know nothing about cars and also curious.

thx everyone.

 

[SyahM]

Use hot water .... . and make sure none of the dirt got onto your eyes or into your mouth. You dont have to buy the cleaning kit if you have grease, just pust the grease on the contact patch and on the cable-ends.

 

[propellerhead]

Grab $0.50.
Buy a can of Coke.
Drink half the can.
Pour the other half onto the battery terminals.
Burp a few times.
Crush can on forehead.
Drive away happy.

 

[Thegonagle]

Clean them with baking soda, water, and a brush. An old toothbrush works well, but watch out for spattering. You might want to wear some safety glasses and some clothes you don't care about getting dirty.

 

[TheGameIs21]

Coca Cola has worked best for me. I Clean it with Coke and that will give it the connections it needs to run right. Then I pull the cables and clean with a wire brush. After cleaning then coat with vaseline.