Changing battery question

Barr

Hi All



I was going to change the battery in my car this morning and noticed there is a metal screw that someone has screwed into place in the negative terminal of the battery connection.

I was just wondering why it is there ?

Thanks
Barr

biko

I don't understand, can you take a picture?

fancy pigeon

Taking a wild assumption and thinking they made a balls of retightening the battery terminals the last time and thus broke the negative clamp, so a wood screw was fitted to wedge it on and keep it in situ.

The same type who buy a smaller battery and wedge it in place with a piece of timber

I've seen cowboys do this and on occasion have had to fix such a mess :mad:

biko

Yes, perhaps.

If so just buy a new terminal and replace or carry on as it is now.

Barr

Apologies probably didn't explain the best

Here is a pic

Barr

Couldn't post pic above for some reason

Its attached now

Esel

Looks like the clamp is too big for the terminal.

biko

Aye, it even has little inlays* between the terminal and the battery pole.
The battery was probably swapped for a smaller one and then the clamps didn't fit any more.
As said, you can change the terminal clamps to fit the new battery.

If you lift the red cover and check the other terminal clamp, is that ok?


*can't think of the proper term right now.

Esel

Shims?

biko

That's it thanks! Battery post shims

shietpilot

Take out the bolt, loosen the negative clamp and give it a light tap with a hammer. The battery terminals are tapered so they get wider the lower you go. It looks like the yellow contacts inside the clamp will move so it should take up the slack and you won't need a bolt again.

fancy pigeon

Got that one right

Is it even the right type of battery for your Civic?

Barr

Op here again. The battery has small terminals. I thought this was unusual when I first saw it and assumed the car was a Jap import.

It's a 1.5 engine which are rare enough in civic saloon version.

So am I safe enough screwing out that bolt from the negative terminal. I don't want to end up getting electricuted or anything

The positive clamp seems to fit ok.

biko

You won't get electrocuted but you should buy a terminal clamp that fits.
Ask in local motor factors.

shietpilot

biko wrote: »

You won't get electrocuted but you should buy a terminal clamp that fits.
Ask in local motor factors.

Tbh I would buy a battery that fits rather than chopping and changing clamps

biko

Clamp is a few euro, but it's up to OP to choose.

How to change clamp (btw, hang on to the old clamp just in case you need it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpsOxxm0Ub8

shietpilot

biko wrote: »

Clamp is a few euro, but it's up to OP to choose.

How to change clamp (btw, hang on to the old clamp just in case you need it)

But then when the battery goes he will need to buy an incorrect battery again making it a massive headache.

biko

Hence the holding on to the old clamp.
Cost right now is a few euro and 2 mins work, or 80 euro or so for a new battery.
Or just keep driving as is and when battery eventually dies get one with bigger poles..

tobsey

He's changing the battery anyway though? That's how he found the screw.

biko

Lol, you're right.

Disregard everything I have said OP, I'm blind as a bat apparently.
Just get right size battery.

porsche boy

What's happened here is that over time and replacement batteries the clamp has stretched slightly. Happens. Either replace the clamp or fill the gap with something like a screw or bolt.

Barr

Thanks guys , I am going to change the battery anyways - good to know I can get the one with the bigger terminals now and it should fit - less of a headache all round

corglass

Added bonus is 12 volts against skin won't electrocute you.