Battery Cables

[gapboi210]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to change out the battery cables on a 3.1? I my original battery leaked acid out one of the side post and ate away one side of the battery and part of one of my cables. I spiced the cable and it has been fine untill recently. When I stop at night, the lights dim slightly. Dealership said it was due to the cables running at a high resistance. I have access to a lift just wondering how far down those cables go. Just to the starter I think but I am not sure.

Thanks for any info.

[bcopeland]

My original battery post just fell out in October 2002 in California. I drove it out from Houston and it was a 99. I was like - is this a joke? The positive goes to the starter I believe, but it is tied on in several areas. The negative goes to the engine block. Should be a piece of cake.

[Sethkj]

My 99 3.1 V6 does the same at night -- lights and dash light dims when braking. Could a battery cable replacement be the answer?

[gapboi210]

I noticed that at night the lights dim on the dash and if I have the A/C on high, you can hear the blower slow down when stopped. Dealer said it was due to corrsion probably from the leaking battery down in the cables. Cables are running at a high resistance causing the lights to dim. My post fell off after a 2800 mile trip to Georgia and surrounding areas and back to Texas.

[igkyoa]

my bu does the same thing most noticable is the headlights dimming when idoling at a light or something but my cables are fine. i have a volt meter on my a pillar and it seems like the voltage is droping excessively (sp) when i things draw on it could this be because my battery is in bad shape? cause it seems to me that if it was the cables having high resistance it would be constant so you would never notice things dimming they would always be dimmer than normal. so my guess would be that the battery is not in good shape or that all cars do that cause my mom's caravan does that too, or maybe she needs a new battery too. any sugestions?

[gapboi210]

My battery is new. I am thinkng it could be the alternator.

[fastk]

Yes, you are correct. I think problem in this case is an alternator not a battery. If you put your gear at Neutral and step on gas, if head lights are getting brighter then it is usually alternator. You need a voltmeter and amp meter to check the electric charging system though. I had problem with my AC DELCO battery and positive battery post was ripped off with battery cable connecting bolt!! The GM sells this positive battery cable at $95(Canadian)!!!! So, I went to the wreck yard and pick up the used cable at $15.(cable was manufactured in 2001, mine was 1997!) Now it is working fine...

[Toys72]

Is there an easy way to get to the neg cable on the block? I can't seem to even reach the end of the wire to "feel" the bolt.... is there something I should remove to get to the connection? Looks like the starter is in the way. Any advice would be great, thanks!!!