Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 5/17/2006

Question
The question is about my Wifes 1996 Suburban 2500 454. This is our second Suburban the first was a 1990 model.

When purchased used this truck had a AutoZone battery. I kept having problems with the battery termals comming loose. No matter how much I tightned them they would be loose in weeks.

It seems like these cables have long tabs that dig into the lead of the battery terminal and eventualy become loose. I replaced the battery and eventually installed a lock washer under the bolt of the + cable which solved the problem. Seems the bolt was bottoming out.

All was well for a couple of years until the Autozone battery started leaking.

I replaced it with a Delco and new battery cables. That was four months ago.

This morning I got a call from my wife. It would not start. Seems the cables are loose. I had tightend them as tight as I dared.

Any pointers. I did not have this problem with the 1990 but the battery cables were made different. The tits were much shorter. These kind of look like a lock washer.

Answer
THOMAS;
   Hi , I know that on some cars the battery term. are a pain to get at with the side term. if yours  keep comming loose I would put a star washer on it and when you tighten it up do not make it to tight just snug it up.And if you wanted to you can place a few drops of lock tight on the outer part of the term.  (not) the inside. this will help too.