Side-attach battery terminals: just another bad idea?

So far, I've had two episodes of the battery connectors on the hot side failing intermittantly.

Everything stops: no brakes to speak of, no power steering, no brake lights, no signal lights.

So far I've survived each one and been able to pull over, raise the hood, and wiggle the connectors until the system came back up.

But, IMHO, this could be quite a dangerous situation should it happen doing 70 mph around a curve in the middle lane something like I-95 in heavy traffic....likewise it could be really bad news if it happened when pulled out and passing on a two-lane road....fatal, even.

Three of the mechanics I've spoken to about this have volunteered that the problem is endemic to side-attached connectors. Certainly I've never experienced it on any one of the dozens of other cars (top-mounted connectors) I've owned.

Prevention? Cures? Causes?....I note that the red plastic covering the stack of three connectors is somewhat discolored...

----------------------- PeteCresswell

Reply to
(Pete Cresswell)
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Had this happen on my Deville ('96) and also a customer's Yukon. Called the Parts Manager at local GMC Dealer who is quietly replacing the defective batteries with new AC/Delco units for 69.00.

Have a great one!

Bush

Reply to
Bush

RE/

That was my kneejerk reaction. Mine is a '98 burb - two guys opined that there isn't enough room under there. OTOH, the batteries that I'm using already have both top and side terminals and they fit fine....

What appeals to me about top terminals is that it's all out there where it can be seen. With the side terminals, those plastic boots hide the parts and I can't see if there's corrosion or not.

----------------------- PeteCresswell

Reply to
(Pete Cresswell)

jumping w/ a top post is a hell of alot easier than sideposts too... if you've already got a combo battery, just pick up some new cables, the thicker the better.

-Bret

Reply to
Bret Chase

Reply to
Le Boule

I forgot to mention, Loose connectors can cause whats known as 'Load Dumping' on the Alternator. usual effects of this is diode failure. That's because the 'avalanche diodes' cannot tolerate it.

Cheers

Reply to
Martin Riddle

RE/

on the Alternator.

cannot tolerate it.

Bingo!..... My alternator's failure coincided with that situation.

----------------------- PeteCresswell

Reply to
(Pete Cresswell)

on the Alternator.

cannot tolerate it.

Change the small head bolts over to regular size head and use a back up nut, mine are stainless bolts. Now you can put booster cables on at anytime

Reply to
pedro

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