Went outside today to start the car. The battery was deader than a door nail. I popped the hood and noticed a lot of corrosion on the battery terminal.


I went to loosen it only to find it was already loose. Has anyone seen a battery terminal just become loose? Had my battery replaced a while back. The only thing I can think of is they didn't tighten it enough in the first place. Or cn they become loose on their own?

I guess another thing to add to the list of things to check.

 

Been there, done that, I reinstalled a battery, ran for about 150km and then died when wife was shopping, of course.
Symptom dead battery, I rechecked the terminals and voilà.
Sure I had tightened them originally.!
Max.

 

Battery terminal posts are generally tapered (why?), so severe vibration/shock could cause the connector to work loose.

 

Went outside today to start the car. The battery was deader than a door nail. I popped the hood and noticed a lot of corrosion on the battery terminal.


I went to loosen it only to find it was already loose. Has anyone seen a battery terminal just become loose? Had my battery replaced a while back. The only thing I can think of is they didn't tighten it enough in the first place. Or cn they become loose on their own?

I guess another thing to add to the list of things to check.

Is it getting colder?

 

The terminal posts are (often?) made of lead. The lead will deform slowly under pressure and result in a looser fit.

 

I might have checked mine more often, but its under the rear seat!
Max.

 

Is it getting colder?

Yes but I have been through some cold snaps before with that battery.

 

The terminal posts are (often?) made of lead. The lead will deform slowly under pressure and result in a looser fit.

So maybe not the mechanics fault then? Just this has never happened to me before.

Part of the issue I think is those terminal covers. I guess in the past (pre terminal cover) I was unconsciously checking the terminals when checking the fluids. Check the fluids, notice some corrosion on the terminals and take care of it.