Battery Terminal Problem?

[wolverine04]

I have a 2001 Grand Am GT with a problem

So at the beginning of November my car battery died. No big deal. Went to the auto store and bought a new one after having the old one tested to make sure it was actually the battery that was the problem, and it was. Installed new battery. Everything was fine for awhile. Then sometime around the beginning of December I notice that occasionally I would shut my car off and everything would go completely dead and it wouldn't start when I tried to restart it- I had to try twice before everything would come back to life (radio, power windows, lights, etc.) and the engine would start. This annoying, but manageable, problem went on for several weeks (probably about once every 10 times I would start my car).

Then about three weeks ago I began having more serious problems and discovered that it seemed to be the battery terminals on my car that may be causing the trouble. One morning my car started up perfectly, I drove into work, and when I shut the car off everything went completely dead and I was unable to turn it back on AT ALL. I called a tow truck and the driver seemed to fix the problem by simply tightening the bolts on the battery terminals (I'm sorry about my likely incorrect usage of automotive terms) and it started right up so I didn't have to get it towed. But then later that day it faltered again. I was able to wiggle the terminal myself like the tow truck driver had done to get it to start and I immediately took it to the repair shop. They kept it overnight and the only thing they could find wrong with it was "loose battery terminals". Tell me something I don't know. So that was pretty much a waste of $100 right there. So my car runs fine for the entire weekend and then it repeats the problem the following Monday after work- it won't start unless I open up the hood and wiggle the terminal around. I did that and also went and bought some battery lubricant because I realized when I changed the battery in November that I never applied this. I was convinced that was the problem because it started perfectly for over two weeks, until tonight. I must have started it about 50 times in the past two weeks so I'm not sure why it decided to relapse tonight.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the weather because it gave me the problem when it was 60 degrees outside and also when it was about 15 degrees. Also, the car purrs like a kitten once it is actually started. It never gives any indications that it is going to stall on me.

So I feel like taking it back to the shop will accomplish nothing because they were unable to find anything the first time and it seems that "most of the time" my car will start without any problems. I'm not really sure what to do besides hope that it won't not start again.

[GTP Dad]

Go to autozone or another parts store and purchase a new set of battery terminal bolts and replace the old ones. Sometimes these become worn due to electrolytic action and will not tighten properly in the battery thus causing your problems. If that doesn't work then take the battery back and exchange it for another one since the battery terminal size may be too large, a manufacturing defect. Finally, you can use a small spot of locktite on the threads to keep it from loosening just don't cover the entire threads. One other thing to consider, make sure you clean the terminals inside the rubber caps to make sure they are not corroded.

[G.A.S.]

I myself would get new terminals and bolts.
You may have to cut the old cables to install the new ones but that is the way it has to be done.
Not to be rude but I have been wrenching sence I could see under the hood and never have I herd of lock-tite on the threads of the battery terminals.I can see where that would hold them tight forever but there is no need for that.
a good clean terminal connected properly to the cable and snugged tightly to the new battery should never give you any problems as far ac connection goes.

[J-Ri]

Before replacing the ends, I would try cutting off the plastic. The first reason is that they are useless, all they really do is trap moisture and keep you from seeing the resulting corrosion. The second reason is that the battery cables on a lot of these cars are so short there is not enough length in the cable to install new ends if you cut the old ones off. Without the plastic on there, you can see the end of the copper cable. If it's blueish-green, replace the ends if possible. If you strip back the insulation and the wire's green underneath, cut further back until you find clean copper. You may need to replace the entire cable(s). If it looks ok, clean the ends with a wire brush really good and install new bolts. I would just leave the ends bare.

Another possibility is that a cable is loose on the other end.

[xeroinfinity]

Thier is Not enough cable to cut the ends off either cable in these newer GA's. The cable would need replaced if its green from corrosion, that's most likly your troubles.

Plus when you install those cheap cable clamps you'll have nothing but troubles IMO.

Dielectric grease for your battery terminals works wonders though.

edit> PS loc-tite is not unheard of on terminals