Short Circuit/Crossed Wires On + Lead to Battery?

[djcorrosive]

Hey, guys, this problem pertains to my 2003 Grand Am SE. It goes back about 6 months to my first post here, where I had just purchased a new battery, and my car was dead just a few weeks later. It was suggested that I jiggle the terminator post and the wiress leading to the battery. I jiggled the bunch of wires connected to the + (I think? The red side) side of the battery, and the car started right up.The problem dissapeared for about 3 months, then re-occured. Again I jiggled the wires, and the car started immediatly. Then about a month later, again it happened, and it's been happening more frequently, up to the point where every time I try to start the car it seems dead, only now jiggling the wires won't work, although my lights will immediatly turn on, it just doesn't have enough juice to start. Jumper cables have been working. What would be the most inexpensive way to diagnose the problem? I would like to have an idea of what wire(s) are shorted out (or whatever the problem might be) before I take it in to the shop, as I know little about cars, and to not be taken advantage of? Thanks in advance & sorry for the long post!

[GTP Dad]

First of all what wires are you shaking to get the car to start? It would help to know this so we can try to diagnose the issue. If you are moving the wires on the battery then the terminals are probably dirty and need to be cleaned. That would also account for why the battery doesn't have enough power to start the car since it probably isn't getting recharged when the car is running. If you mean another bundle of wires please explain in more detail so we can help you out!

[djcorrosive]

It's the bundle of wires directly leading to the battery, a few inches from the post. They are so tightly wound it's hard to tell exactly which one is the cause. After work I'll unhook the battery and clean the post and terminator. I'll post the results, hopefully it's this simple! Thanks.

[djcorrosive]

Of course! It all makes sense now! The more I jiggled the wires, the looser the connection to the battery! All it needed was a quick tightening DUH! Thanks!