98 camry battery cable

Hi,

I recently replaced the battery post clamp end of my positive battery cable on my 98 camry.

The darn thing keeps coming loose, and coming completely off the battery while driving. Since this car is primarily used by my mechanically ignorant step daughter, this is a problem. I'm thinking of using some thread locker on the clamping bolt, but I'm open to suggestions.

98 camry V6 auto, 267,000 miles (mostly highway)

I would try to get a Toyota OEM clamp. It would cost a bit more, but would probably be worth the extra piece of mind IMHO since you said your daughter drives this car. If you do use the thread locker, only use the blue stuff. The red would need to be heated to remove the bolt/clamp. Heat/flame around a battery is a bad idea.

Mike

The problem might be with the bad battery post. Try to wedge something between the post and a clamp and then tighten it up.

Good luck,

Sam

I don't think placing something in between the post and the clamp is a wise choice. There are too many amps on startup to make this a reliable and non-sparking system (hydrogen gas generated in the cells). Buy a new clamp if it doesn't work.

Hi,

I recently replaced the battery post clamp end of my positive battery cable on my 98 camry.

The darn thing keeps coming loose, and coming completely off the battery while driving. Since this car is primarily used by my mechanically ignorant step daughter, this is a problem. I'm thinking of using some thread locker on the clamping bolt, but I'm open to suggestions.

98 camry V6 auto, 267,000 miles (mostly highway)



What was wrong with the old clamp?

And, is the new clamp the size diameter as the old one?
There are now two different size terminals, most Japanese cars use the smaller size.
The larger clamp size will fit, but never get tight.


The problem might be with the bad battery post. Try to wedge something between the post and a clamp and then tighten it up.



Not a good idea.
My neighbor tried this with his truck. Not sure what metal he used, but 6 months of 24volts later it had welded the cable to the batter, destroying them both.

What was wrong with the old clamp?

And, is the new clamp the size diameter as the old one?
There are now two different size terminals, most Japanese cars use the smaller size.
The larger clamp size will fit, but never get tight.


Not a good idea.
My neighbor tried this with his truck. Not sure what metal he used, but 6 months of 24volts later it had welded the cable to the batter, destroying them both.

The old (OEM) clamp would not tighten onto the (OEM) post. You could tighten it completely until it would tighten no more, but still pull the clamp off the post with your bare hands. The new clamp will tighten onto the post (fits right on the end of the cable properly), but works itself loose. Hence the threadlock thought.

I'm with you on the wedge idea. Big amps on startup can do damage to a lot of different metals. Might be an ok quick fix, but not for long term.

Sounds like the battery post may have been damaged.

Loosen the clamp right off, and use fine file, or course sand paper to smooth the terminal.
Be careful not to short it out!

Then put the clamp back on and tighten it, but do not over tighten it.
You shouldn't gave to tighten it beyond half way. If you do, then its the wrong size clamp.

I second Moppie, sounds like it's the wrong size cable post clamp. Once tightened, there should be between 1/8" and 1/4" gap between the clamp ends.

I second Moppie, sounds like it's the wrong size cable post clamp. Once tightened, there should be between 1/8" and 1/4" gap between the clamp ends.

The Original clamp (that would not tighten), is the ORIGINAL manufacturer clamp, and it is the correct battery. Someone mentioned stretched clamp, and I think that is the probable cause for needing to replace that clamp.

The replacement clamp IS the correct size, it fits the post properly, but just works itself loose.

I've re-tightened the clamp and applied some medium strength (blue) threadlocker on the clamping bolt. I will let everyone know how it works.

I've re-tightened the clamp and applied some medium strength (blue) threadlocker on the clamping bolt. I will let everyone know how it works.



When the clamp is tight, how much free thread is there left on the clamping bolt?

It should be about 5-10mm between each end of the clamp.

The clamp will only work loose if it's the wrong one, the battery terminal is damaged, or it's not done up tight enough.

Only other thing I can think of is the clamp is relaxing, or creeping, under the high heat conditions in the engine bay. Normally this shouldn't happen, but maybe it was made of an inferior alloy or just a bad batch.

Thanks for verifying the correct sizes.

The Original clamp (that would not tighten), is the ORIGINAL manufacturer clamp, and it is the correct battery. Someone mentioned stretched clamp, and I think that is the probable cause for needing to replace that clamp.

The replacement clamp IS the correct size, it fits the post properly, but just works itself loose.

I've re-tightened the clamp and applied some medium strength (blue) threadlocker on the clamping bolt. I will let everyone know how it works.

It's been fine for about a month now, so I think the blue threadlocker did the trick. I'm also pretty sure the original problem was caused by the metal of the OEM clamp stretching.

Thanks guys for your input.:)