How do I deal with a battery post that won't come out? - History of the battery (2023)

Important points:

• It is possible to apply baking soda to the clamps to remove corrosion and remove the clamp.
• There are several substances that, if used correctly, will prevent battery corrosion.
• The battery poles must be cleaned periodically to prevent corrosion.

Corroded battery terminals can cause more than just a slow start. The “blooming” corrosion on the ends of the battery cable shown is particularly dramatic. Corroded terminals are also very difficult to remove. So how should you deal with the problem when the battery post does not come out?

Baking soda can be used directly on the screws to remove corrosion to some degree. This will help you loosen or free them until you can remove them. It will be much easier to remove them after removing them with a brush.

This article covers the steps to properly and safely remove corroded battery posts, as well as other important topics and questions related to this topic.

How do I remove stuck corroded car battery bolts?

Over time, car batteries can deteriorate and cause malfunctions. Corrosion or rust can form between the battery posts and the ends of the cables, disrupting the battery's connection to vital parts of the vehicle, such as the alternator.

Cleaning the terminals and cable ends of battery corrosion or oxide creates a new contact surface between the two affected contact points.

So if your battery connector won't come loose, here's what to do:

Paso 1:Open the hood to access the battery. Examine the battery terminals to see if they are corroded or oxidized.

The corrosion on the terminals appears white and powdery, similar to dried foam.

The rust is brown in color and only affects the metal parts of the battery cables and connectors.

Paso 2:If your battery posts appear rusty, apply baking soda directly to them.

To create a reaction between the baking soda and battery corrosion, add water to the baking soda.

If the battery posts and cable ends are rusted, use PB Blaster or another anti-rust spray to clean them completely.

Allow the rust removal spray to dry for at least 10 minutes.

Paso 3:Wear latex gloves and safety glasses when working on the battery. Scrub the battery terminals and the ends of the cables with a wire brush or terminal cleaning tool.

If possible, strip terminals, wire ends, and wire end fittings to remove any corrosion or rust down to the bare metal.

Pour water over the battery to remove the cleaning solution and remove any rust or corrosion.

Dry the top or side of the battery with a normal towel and wipe off any additional dirt.

Stage 4:Using an open-end wrench, loosen the mounting nut on a top mount battery.

Use locking pliers or a vise to hold the square head while the wrench turns the square head screw on the opposite side of the fastener.

First, remove all the cables from the battery, starting with the negative cable. Using an open-end wrench, remove the side pillars and battery cables from the side pillars.

Paso 5:Inspect the battery posts to make sure corrosion is limited to the surface of the battery. If the battery terminals show further corrosion, clean them well with a wire brush.

Connectors should shine like new metal after washing.

Remove the end posts of the battery lead wires from the side post and hand clean them with the wire brush.

It's a good idea to replace the terminal ends on the wires with large clips or channel locks.

By following the steps above, you can safely and easily remove stuck battery terminals.

What Causes Corrosion of Battery Terminals?

Corrosion at the terminals is caused by hydrogen gas released from battery acid. Under the hood, it reacts with other substances in the atmosphere, resulting in the corrosion seen on connectors.

If there is corrosion on the negative terminal, your system is most likely under load. If it's on the positive side, it's most likely overloading. Since the battery is usually discharged, it is mainly seen on the negative side. I'm afraid it's just the nature of the animal.

You must completely clean the corrosion off the posts. You can help this process by using a solution of baking soda and water. Make sure you have eye protection, clothing you don't mind ruining (acid can do nasty things), and gloves (nitrile gloves work great).

Clean the area with the solution and a brush. It doesn't have to be a steel bristle brush; just one stiff enough to get rid of the dirt will do. You'll have to remove the battery cables to clean them thoroughly (sorry about the radio station presets!). Finally, rinse the area with plenty of water to remove any traces of corrosion.

Coat the posts with grease after cleaning to slow down the corrosion process (high pressure grease or wheel bearing grease will do almost anything). It doesn't have to be much, just make sure the metal is fully covered on the terminals.

After reconnecting the battery cables, cover the connectors on the outside. You can also get a spray coat at your local parts store.

Its main purpose is to prevent lead, escaping hydrogen gas, and oxygen from mixing, leading to corrosion that you start to see after a while. Grease degrades over time and corrosion can occur, so it needs to be cleaned and reapplied periodically.

How to prevent corrosion of battery terminals?

You keep your car running by performing preventative maintenance like: B. change the oil and check all fluids regularly.

Your car battery, on the other hand, may be one area that you are overlooking. Battery acid will leak from the device and accumulate on the battery terminals over time.

There are several inexpensive ways to prevent further battery corrosion. We'll see.

Vaseline

Applying a tablespoon of Vaseline to the positive and negative poles of your car battery is an inexpensive way to prevent corrosion.

Use a wrench to remove the battery cables from the terminals, then apply Vaseline to each terminal.

To prevent your hands from getting greasy, wear latex gloves.

When reconnecting the battery, connect the positive (red) cable first, then the negative (black) cable.

anticorrosion washers

Another inexpensive way to prevent corrosion on your car's battery terminals is to use anti-corrosion washers, which are available at auto parts stores and retail stores.

The washers are felt pads with a specially formulated anti-corrosion chemical.

Remove the battery cables, replace the grommets, and reconnect the positive and negative cables in that order.

dielectric grease

A dollop of dielectric grease on your car's battery posts will also keep corrosion at bay.

Dielectric grease is available at auto parts stores, hardware stores, and hardware stores. To use, disconnect the battery cables and lubricate each pole individually.

By following the above procedures and applying any of them to the battery post, you can definitely prevent corrosion on your battery posts.

Diploma

This article contains all the necessary steps to give you answers to the problems when the battery connector does not come out.

To some extent, it is also about discussing what causes car battery corrosion, as well as methods to prevent it. Corrosion is very damaging to both the battery and your car.

So by following the steps mentioned in this article, you can keep your car battery terminals safe and shiny.

Related Posts:

• What gauge is the wire from the battery to the starter motor?
• Where to ground the negative battery cable?
• Is it possible to start without a negative terminal on a car battery?
• Should you use dielectric grease on battery terminals?
• Is corrosion a sign of a bad battery?