battery terminal/cable problem

[george worley]

A month ago I turned the key to start my truck and nothing happened, no solenoid click,nothing. Ihave my electric fuel pump and electric fan hokedup to the bolt on the postive cable they both worked. I thought the connection between the post and cable might need cleaning because as soon as I tapped the cable clamp it started right up and started fine the rest of the day. I took off all the cable clamps and cleaned them as well as all the ground cable and solenoid connections. Started up alright. Didn't drive it for about a week same problem. Cleaned them again and sprayed protector and sealer on the terminals. Truck set for two weeks no startagain. This time I checked battery voltage and it was 12.2 volts so enough volts in battery.The positive cable was new three years ago and looks like it in good condition. Tapped the positive battery cable and post and it starts right up. What do you guys believe I should try next? I'm thinking new starter cable or loose battery post all though the post is tight and not leaking battery acid.

[fordman]

those bolt on repair terminals are junky. turn the plate upside down on it and face the indents into the main cable. or get a molded cable and end. or put those mash on connectors on the end of the cable adn bolt them to the terminal. then you can worry abotu the mash on end coming loose. i did that it worked for about as long as a new replacement end worked. i hated it. a cable with a molded on battery terminal connector on it. those replacements will do that until you just get mad and throw them down the street. who cares by then if it hits someones car. you are so mad by that point you are done jacking with it anyway.

[george worley]

Thanks for the advice Fordman I agree that those bolt on repair ends aren't worth much but the cable I have is a one piece cable like the factory one no clamp on ends. It just baffles me that it worked alright for three years and all of a sudden it doesn't. I know the trouble is up at the battery post because if I tap it and don't wiggle the wire or anything else it will start right up. I may have misled you by saying my fuel pump and fan is hooked up on the battery clamp. It is hooked to the bolt that tightens the clamp aroun the battery post. again it is not a battery repair end.

[fordman]

i see. it could be a loose connection inside the battery i guess.

[dnewman]

12.2 volts at the battery is actually considered to be in need of a charge. Proper voltage is 12.5 to 12.8 volts (closer to the 12.8 side). Not to mention if the battery is three years old it could be getting weak (ie low in amperage) that could also be part of the problem because average battery life in a vechicle that is driven daily is 3-4 years. In a vechile that see speratice use with the battery not being put on a minder life would be a little shorter.

Dan

[70_F100]

Actually, battery voltage on a fully charged battery should be 13.2 volts.

It's 2.2 volts per cell x 6 cells = 13.2 volts.

[fordman]

thats right.

[rjewkes]

yup 12.2 is considered half capacity is what a battery guy told me once.

[george worley]

Thanks guys for all the good advice. I chacked my voltage with the engine running right after start up and it was 14.6 so I believe the alternator and regulator are O.K. The truck will not be used for about a week and before I start it I will have the battery tested. I checked my records and the battery is a little over 4 years. My positive cable was installed the same time. The battery is a middle grade Dura Last so it is not the best. So they are older than I thought.

George

[Thunderfoot]

Not sure how we got off on the voltage when just tapping on the + post and it starts fine.
I would say the problem is the battery post connection "inside" the battery itself, sounds like it has a bad connection and after it has been warmed up (used a bit) it makes connection until you let it set and it corrodes over a bit. I have had a battery that did this years ago, they are dangerous as they can get to a point where they can spark inside at this bad connection and blow the battery up, as it ignites the gasses inside (had that before too ).
I would try a different battery

[george worley]

Thunderfoot you were right, loose +post on battery. I was driving my truck yesterday and I hit a hole in the edge of the road and my radio quit also lost my turn signals but the engine kept on running. I got home and turned it off and tried to restart it and nothing totally dead. Ckecked the battery for voltage and nothing battery dead. If I tapped +post or wiggled it it would show 12.8 volts. Bought a new battery and it started upand everything worked. I guess the engine was running off the alternator and when I shut it off that was it. I never had a battery do that. Problem solved. ( I hope)

George