About battery terminals: 
Every car battery will have a negative and positive terminal. Battery terminals are usually made of lead, which offers high conductivity and low electrical resistance.
These terminals are the first point of contact between the battery and your car’s electrical system. This means that if they become loose or fail, electricity may not be able to reach important parts of your vehicle. Sometimes, the terminals can become loose from the cables. This can cause not enough electricity to enter the rest of your car, causing symptoms similar to a flat battery.
Other common causes of terminal failure include corrosion, rust, or physical damage to the terminal.
What causes battery corrosion?
Symptoms of loose battery terminals:
When a battery terminal becomes loose, it can cause a range of problems for your car. The terminal is responsible for conducting electricity from the battery to the rest of the car’s electrical system, so if it’s not secured properly, the flow of electricity can be disrupted. Below are some common symptoms:
Car will not start – If the cable has completely come loose from the terminal, the battery will not be able to send power to your car’s ignition upon startup. This will prevent your car from starting.
Battery dies quickly – If the battery terminals have a poor connection, the rest of your charging system will not be able to feed power back into the battery. This can cause the battery to run flat quickly.
Battery warning light – If your car’s charging system is struggling to transfer power to your car battery and the rest of your car, the battery light may appear on your dash. This is your car’s way of warning you that there is insufficient power.
Battery warning light diagnostics >
How to check if your car battery terminals are loose
- Try to move the terminals: Gently attempt to move the battery terminals by hand. They should not move or wiggle. If they do, they might be loose.
- Check for corrosion: Look for any corrosion around the terminals. Corrosion can indicate a poor connection and may lead to electrical issues.
- Wiggle the cables: Check to see if the cables are loose or disconnected. They should remain securely in place. If they not, they may need adjustment or replacement.
Other reasons your car isn’t starting
The battery and its terminals aren’t always the reason your car’s ignition won’t crank. The alternator and starter motor are also common culprits. You may also be experiencing parasitic drain, where an electrical accessory such as a stereo, camera, or light may be draining the car’s battery power when it is turned off.
It is important to correctly diagnose this issue, as you may end up wasting money on a new battery when it isn’t actually the problem. For easy, hassle-free charging system diagnostics, book an inspection with Grimmer Motors today!
Battery Terminal Inspection, Tightening & Cleaning in Hamilton
Loose battery terminals can be a major inconvenience and even a safety hazard. If you’ve been experiencing problems with your car starting or electrical issues, we can help you get it working correctly again.
At Grimmer Motors, one of our qualified and skilled mechanics can easily tighten your car’s battery terminals. This will allow for improved battery performance and reduced risk of your car not starting when you need it the most. We also offer car battery replacement and alternator / charging system fixes. If your car battery has corrosion, we are happy to clean it too.
For batter terminal cleaning, tightening and replacement, contact Grimmer Motors today!