Corrosion on Positive battery terminal

[Daryl]

I have a recurring problem of corrosion in the “+” side of the battery terminal. I take it off, clean it, spray on a little battery terminal stuff,reattach… and yet it returns!
Any ideas on a solution? Replace the cable? Don’t use the spray? Or ???
Thanks everyone!

 

[joemomma]

I've seen this before and wish I could offer you some help, but I don't have the answer. I had a riding mower that did this repeatedly, and I think I fixed it when I replaced the cable, but wouldn't swear to it. I'd like to know what the fix is though!

 

[07GtS197]

Eventually you’ll have to replace the terminal once it eats through the metal. My guess would be that it’s leaking.

 

[ttocs]

Not sure if its leaking or what. I would go back to where you got the battery and ask them. You might try some of those felt pads that go under the terminal.

 

[Daryl]

Ok, thanks everyone. I’ll head over to NAPA this week.

 

[tinnocker]

Working at my father's truck stop in the sixties I saw trucks use black axle grease on both of their post. I have seen petroleum jelly used also. It seems to work.....but not at car shows!

 

[Daryl]

I’ll give the petroleum jelly a shot if the “battery spray “ I have doesn’t do the trick!

 

[Jakespeeds]

Daryl,

Want to hook up for a beer? I'd like to try something on that terminal that might make it stop.

Jake

 

[Daryl]

Ok, sounds good. I’ll be back in town late this afternoon and running around all day tomorrow. Is Saturday ok? Or Sunday afternoon around 2 or 3??

 

[Jakespeeds]

Saturday after 1 or Sunday all day. Either one.

Jake

 

[ttocs]

its a trap...............

 

[Jakespeeds]

Freaking shhhhhhhhhh! I'm hunting Daryl!

Jake

 

[Procharged87]

It’s been a while but I remember someone saying that corrosion on the positive means that the battery is likely being overcharged and corrosion on the negative usually means the battery is sulfated. It has been my experience that a good charger like a Noco can take care of the sulfation but, every time I’ve had it on the positive terminal it keeps coming back until it eventually eats the terminal. It seems to be a precursor sign that the battery will need replacement at some point as the alternator is overcharging it. Normally we get 2-6 months out of a battery at that point before it completely dies but, in recent years I’ve just started replacing them.

 

[Daryl]

Saturday after 1 or Sunday all day. Either one.

Jake

I’ll shoot ya a text

 

[Daryl]

It’s been a while but I remember someone saying that corrosion on the positive means that the battery is likely being overcharged and corrosion on the negative usually means the battery is sulfated. It has been my experience that a good charger like a Noco can take care of the sulfation but, every time I’ve had it on the positive terminal it keeps coming back until it eventually eats the terminal. It seems to be a precursor sign that the battery will need replacement at some point as the alternator is overcharging it. Normally we get 2-6 months out of a battery at that point before it completely dies but, in recent years I’ve just started replacing them.

2-6 MONTHS?? I hope you meant years!

 

[Procharged87]

2-6 MONTHS?? I hope you meant years!

I mean the batteries usually last 2-6 months from when it started corroding the terminal. Based on the sticker on the battery, it looks like it was sold around Jun of 2018 so, if it’s about 3 years old it would be in the range for this kind of issue as the cells start to lose their ability to hold a charge over time and that’s when you start seeing issues like this. I used to clean the terminals really good and apply new spray or felt washers and drive for as long as I could squeeze life out of the battery but now I replace them usually after a month or two when I see that the corrosion is persistent.

 

[Daryl]

Oh, ok. Makes absolute sense now. After I get the gauge cluster back, I’ll head over to NAPA and see about a replacement.
Thank you SO much for the info. Most helpful!!

 

[Jakespeeds]

Why not head to Ford and by a battery at the dealer. Just bought the top of the range Motorcraft at Simi Ford for 167.00 for the Explorer. The Motorcraft battery in the black car is 7 years old and still working.

Jake

 

[Daryl]

Why not head to Ford and by a battery at the dealer. Just bought the top of the range Motorcraft at Simi Ford for 167.00 for the Explorer. The Motorcraft battery in the black car is 7 years old and still working.

Jake

Ooh, just might do that, Jake. I hadn’t considered it because traditionally, dealerships are quite a bit more expensive. But, knowing this now, I’ll give them a call! Thanks!

 

[Jakespeeds]

Yup. I have seen some behind the scenes proof for GM at their stress test facility when I was involved with those programs. It seemed to be proved what people in the industry preach. OEM's have to make or can only accept parts to a higher tolerance than the aftermarket industry. I would not say this is 100 percent. But I think I have seen it with batteries, wiper blades, brakes & brake parts and such.

Just have to pick and choose what you are comfortable with.

Jake