A friend has an 02 Escalade, they had the battery replaced and since then the cables have worked loosed 3 different times, causing the vehicle to not start. What would cause this?
Battery cables keep coming loose??
- Thread starter DoubleDee
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If it is a post type battery it sounds like the new posts are smaller than the old ones. Replace female connectors with new ones that fit or place a lead shim around the post(s).
If it's the screw in type, the threads may be stripped or somebody wasn't paying attention multiple times and didn't tighten them enough.
Somebody that knows basic wrenching needs to open the hood and take a look at it.
If it's the screw in type, the threads may be stripped or somebody wasn't paying attention multiple times and didn't tighten them enough.
Somebody that knows basic wrenching needs to open the hood and take a look at it.
An 02 escalade will have screw in lugs. I'm betting they've been stripped. On the other hand, GM uses an oddball sized nut for this battery connection. I think it's 1/16" smaller than a 1/4" wrench. I had to buy one just for this purpose. If somebody was trying to tighten this with a crescent wrench, and if you are lucky, it just didn't get tightened up enough.
This happened to me after some dealership work. My truck died on a busy freeway during a snow/slush storm and I was wearing a suit. I figured out the problem, but was pretty aggravated and filthy after I did. The dealership heard from me shortly thereafter.
This happened to me after some dealership work. My truck died on a busy freeway during a snow/slush storm and I was wearing a suit. I figured out the problem, but was pretty aggravated and filthy after I did. The dealership heard from me shortly thereafter.
They are side mount. I have not looked at them yet, but the same guy has tightened them the three times. I guess I will look at them tomorrow and see if the size is off.
Kestas
Staff member
After three tries, it's time to look for another mechanic. The guy has a lot of gall wasting your time by not getting to the root of the problem.
ok i do batteries a lot. the size for the bolt is 5/16". it is VERY COMMON to have the positive "terminal" corrode and fall out on the AC Delco batteries, i usually see about 6 a week. you can buy replacement bolts at any parts store, that would be the first thing i would do. they are very easy to strip so it is vital that you start them by hand. there are a short and a long bolt sold, make sure you get the right one.
Must be a thing with GM's as My Olds Alero had the same problem & have heard the same with other Olds & GrandAms
at least on an Escalade its not as bad as some of the other GMs where you have to remove the air intake and windshield washer resivoir. or worse like the chrysler products where you have to remover the inner fender to get to the tire.
As mentioned by bdcardinal nut embedded in lead of side mount battery often corrodes and becomes loose (battery is then ruined). On new side terminal batteries nut embedded in lead can be overtightened untill nut begins to turn in lead (new battery is then ruined) If you are gonna lay your hands on this potential disaster, make sure owner KNOWS that nut may very well be already stripped!!!! The reason engineers designed a (bdcardinal said 5/16, actually it's 3/8 dia bolt) with a 5/16, or interchangably 8mm head is to keep fools from twisting nut loose in lead,,,but fools are pretty ingenious.
Bob
Bob
Once I put some "dilectric" tune-up grease on the side terminals of a Saturn. This is the same stuff recommended to be put on ignition wires to eliminate corrosion, keep out moisture, etc. Guess what? Terminals came loose.
Sometimes I try to improve things that don't need improving.
Sometimes I try to improve things that don't need improving.
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