Rotten Positive Battery Cable

[ledzilla]

So, I went to get the beastie started last night, and it did nothing. Looked like dead battery, as it sits for long periods now that it is no longer my daily. Got my Buick over to it to give it a jump, but still nothing. Took a closer look at the positive cable and it looked not so clean, so I cleaned up, only to find that it appears to be disintegrating. After a good clean of the cable and the battery post I got it fired up without any further trouble. So, I'm figuring that I need to disconnect the cable going forward when I won't be driving it for a while, but it always had a tendency to get nasty since I bought it back in '05. I was parts hunting on Rock Auto, but they don't have battery cables for the Marauder, but they do have them for a Grand Marquis. I was thinking maybe get a Grand Marquis cable and run it in, but I wasn't sure if it would work properly on a Marauder. Does anyone know for sure?

[fastblackmerc]

So, I went to get the beastie started last night, and it did nothing. Looked like dead battery, as it sits for long periods now that it is no longer my daily. Got my Buick over to it to give it a jump, but still nothing. Took a closer look at the positive cable and it looked not so clean, so I cleaned up, only to find that it appears to be disintegrating. After a good clean of the cable and the battery post I got it fired up without any further trouble. So, I'm figuring that I need to disconnect the cable going forward when I won't be driving it for a while, but it always had a tendency to get nasty since I bought it back in '05. I was parts hunting on Rock Auto, but they don't have battery cables for the Marauder, but they do have them for a Grand Marquis. I was thinking maybe get a Grand Marquis cable and run it in, but I wasn't sure if it would work properly on a Marauder. Does anyone know for sure?

It should work.

Get a battery maintainer.

[ledzilla]

I was looking at getting one, but the money keeps disappearing too quickly. Especially considering how much I had to spend recently on the Buick. But when I get it back in the garage tonight I'm going to "soak" the post and cable in terminal protector just in case I get screwed up on replacing the cable. But thank you, it's good to know that they should be similar enough.

[oklxs03]

you don't have to replace the cable- I had the same prob on my CV Sport-unless the cable is badly damaged you can get a replacement cable end the accommodates the split cable/dual contact setup its WAY cheaper

[Badass_forever]

use a little baking soda and water mixture in a glass and poor it on each of the cable ends, or just dip them in the glass, it will clean up anything that is on the battery ends. Go to the part store and get your self some dielectric grease.

Cover both battery post with that grease, re install your cables. Wipe off remaing grease. You wont have anymore problems.

Get yourself a battery maintainer if you can afford one. I have two of these on my race cars. They work with lead acid and gel cell batteries, this company was on Jay Leno's garage. Great Product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZES5CQz9I

Good luck!

[GreekGod]

Sears has a $30 (often on sale) battery charger that will keep a battery charged, and not overcharge it.

Much less expensive than letting a battery die through sulfation
re:
http://www.sears.com/diehard-battery-charger-maintainer/p-02871219000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1


==

[ledzilla]

So convenient that I have a Sears almost across the street from me. Stopped in the the other day and got a $50 hanging charger/maintainer on sale for $26. Had the fully battery charged by morning (when I next actually checked it) and was in maintenance mode. I'm leaving the positive terminal cable disconnected, but that thing is in terrible condition. At least when cleaned up it still makes contact, just not sure for how much longer.