Ugh, stupid AC Delco

**Selah** · 12-04-2007, 01:56 PM

Was putting the car up for winter last Friday and went to take out the battery. No biggie, pull the negative no prob. Get to the positive and the sucker wouldn't let go. On top of that my wrench kept slipping on the post. So, i get a pair of pilers to get a bit more leverage and pop goes the post out of the battery. Son of a.... turns out the battery was cracked and had been leaking slowly for a little while and the acid froze it out. Crap...

I get the battery out of the car as fast as possible as it is leaking acid everywhere. It's trashed now, and I'll be replacing it with an optima red top come April.

My question in, my positive battery lead is now all boogered up. The post is rounded off, its got dried up acid on it and it still has a chunk of batter plastic on the back end of it. How hard is it to change the whole cable? I'd rather just start fresh. Anyone done this? The negative wouldn't be too bad, but the positive runs all over the place. Any advice?

**sunsetorangess** · 12-05-2007, 05:43 AM

I would just clip off the end of the cable and pick up a new terminal and crimp it back on, You should have plenty of wire there. Although if you decide to pick up a new cable its not a hard replacement, should only take about an hour.
Ps. I had the same issue with my delco, Got acid everywhere, Also make sure you clean everywhere the acid got real good, other wise your paint will flake off and the cancer will come. "rust".
J

**Selah** · 12-05-2007, 06:40 AM

Thanks, I was thinking about just replacing the terminal as well. Should be easier and work just fine. I'll take a look at it.

I cleaned up what i could see with a rag. What neutralizes the acid?

**JL8Jeff** · 12-05-2007, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Selah

Thanks, I was thinking about just replacing the terminal as well. Should be easier and work just fine. I'll take a look at it.

I cleaned up what i could see with a rag. What neutralizes the acid?

Baking Soda and water I think is the old trick to neutralize it.

**Bandit02** · 12-05-2007, 12:15 PM

Aaaa 02 the crappy battery year, mine must have leaked somewhere in its life and ate all the paint off from under it. I ended up spot blasting the tray and fender on mine, it was all rust from the battery leaking.

I remember lots of guys complaining about the 01-02 cars and battery issues.

**Empatho** · 12-08-2007, 10:49 PM

Im going to check my battery tomorrow

**Orcus79** · 12-08-2007, 11:26 PM

I would suggest a whole new cable, after a while the replacement end will corrode and look fugly, they look fuggly and excuse the wording but "red neck" to me. Spend the time and money and do it right man.

**ApexVIII** · 12-09-2007, 12:51 AM

yea get a new cable

**Sailor** · 12-09-2007, 07:39 PM

My 02 still has the original AC Delco battery..You mentioned getting an optima red top . Is there a specific model number for that batttery?

Or can you or anyone else recommend a good replacement battery?

**Selah** · 12-10-2007, 05:27 AM

Not sure of the part number. Just go to Sears, tell em what you got and that you want an Optima red top battery. They'll set you up.

It aint cheap, but its worth it IMO.

Oh noes! Is Sears a sponsor? Can I mention them here?

**Sailor** · 12-10-2007, 10:00 AM

Thanks!

**2KLS1** · 12-10-2007, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Bandit02

Aaaa 02 the crappy battery year, mine must have leaked somewhere in its life and ate all the paint off from under it. I ended up spot blasting the tray and fender on mine, it was all rust from the battery leaking.

I remember lots of guys complaining about the 01-02 cars and battery issues.

I have a 2000 and mine leaked also. The only reason I found out was because the damn thing wouldn't hold a charge anymore and I had to replace it.