Ground Cable a little loose

[BassBomb]

07 Accord EX-L

My ground cable on the battery is a little loose even though its tightened all the way down.
It takes a little force to move it up but it can rotate about the terminal.

Any tips to tighten this down?


EDIT: Reason I ask is the cable came loose the other day and car would not start. So I moved it back in place and everything was fine again. Lost my presets and had to input navigation code because of this.

I have a picture at home that I can add later

 

[Vette73]

Put a thick washer on it to take up the slack.

 

[BassBomb]

pic:

Should I move the HID -ve spade?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com...67653_9b55cb396f_b.jpg

I also noted the bolt is backwards

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Put a thick washer on it to take up the slack.

Probably won't help - the clamp looks like its already at its smallest.

I'd either buy a new clamp or put a copper strip in between the terminal and the clamp so the clamp has something bigger to hold on to.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Put a thick washer on it to take up the slack.

Probably won't help - the clamp looks like its already at its smallest.

I'd either buy a new clamp or put a copper strip in between the terminal and the clamp so the clamp has something bigger to hold on to.

I will try flipping the bolt so it is sitting in proper fashion to see if that allows it to get any tighter.

What you suggested was my first idea though!


on a sidenote, I've gotta find the idle learn procedure since disconnecting the -ve terminal while doing all the car work so often has caused a rougher than usual idle

 

[BassBomb]

Moving the -ve spade of the ballast to the outside of the screw allowed it to tighten further

 

[zoiks]

Add a small screw like a small wood screw. That'll stop the terminal from rotating. That's what my mechanic did to my old car and it worked.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Add a small screw like a small wood screw. That'll stop the terminal from rotating. That's what my mechanic did to my old car and it worked.

its good now, doesn't move anymore now that I was able to tighten it properly

 

[TonyH]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Add a small screw like a small wood screw. That'll stop the terminal from rotating. That's what my mechanic did to my old car and it worked.

Only in the case of an emergency would I do that. :roll:

Buy a replacement end with a stud and wingnut . Any reputable parts store should have them in stock.

Cut your old cable at the beginning of the loop leaving an eye on the end of your original cable. You may have to enlarge the hole slightly to go over the stud. After that tighten the wingnut and "Happy motoring"