Battery terminal spray

[alsant]

Anyone come across this issue ? I’ve always used terminal spray on my vehicles , on my 65 dart if I use it I loose a good connection and car won’t crank. Cables are good , tight connection to terminal , wipe spray off and no issues.

 

[Don Frelier]

Anyone come across this issue ? I’ve always used terminal spray on my vehicles , on my 65 dart if I use it I loose a good connection and car won’t crank. Cables are good , tight connection to terminal , wipe spray off and no issues.

That doesn't make sense.
Do you maybe have a bad cable?

 

[Plyrr471]

I use it all the time, never a problem.

 

[340sport]

Same here....no problems

 

[khryslerkid]

You wouldn't happen to be using these?

 

[alsant]

This is what is on there.

 

[khryslerkid]

Either corrosion under the wing nut or loose or corroded end where it's crimped to the cable?

 

[alsant]

Inspected the connections and all looks good. New cables and clean , this is a weird one.

 

[ckessel]

I've used the NOCO spray for many years plus the felt rings under the clamps.

 

[Detective D]

Are you using the same spray on multiple vehicles?
The terminal spray is not actually conductive, even though that seems counter intuitive. That is how it prevents the corrosion though.

"CRC Battery Terminal Protector (05103)​

CRC’s 05103 spray forms a durable, non-conductive film that prevents acid corrosion and oxidation. Its red dye makes application easy, ensuring full coverage. Ideal for harsh climates, it extends battery life and improves conductivity."

I read this on the back of a can and got a good chuckle about how the non-conductive film improves conductivity.

It could be a number of things, impurity in the battery posts(basically all major brand battery have recycled content now) or on the cable end connectors, a change in formulation of the spray, or some other connection issue elswhere. Hard to say.

I used Duralube spray lube for years and years, but they stopped making it. It came out purple, and was like a synthetic spray grease, but more fluid and slightly tacky after it "dried". One of those oil soaked cloth washers on regular post type batteries also helped prevent corrosion by putting a barrier in between the battery gasses and the connection. Not possible to use those on modern side post/screw in types.
I am not really a fan of the purpose made terminal sprays. They don't seem to hold up to WI weather as well and require maint. intervals to reapply, but I have not found a similar product to the old duralube yet.

I have never used it on things before connecting, I just hose things down after everything is tight to seal it up. It won't be as effective that way but I have never had an issue and never had the connections get bad before the battery went bad, even in the old days when you might have an old Megatron last 15 years.

The first result in my amazon search, but there are cheaper versions of the washers:

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-MC303S-Corrosion-Terminal-Protectors/dp/B001DKUTR0

 

[XS22J8R]

I’ve had several issues over the years where I’d have dash lights etc, but just a solenoid click no crank when I’d turn the key. I’d look at the battery, and the posts and terminals would look clean. I’d give a quick scrub with my battery terminal scrubber, and then the car would start fine. But a few weeks later when I took the car out next, same thing would occur. Rinse repeat over a few years time.
I then read on a forum or someplace to put a light dab of white lithium grease on the posts after cleaning. I tried that and 10 plus years later I never had the issue again in the case of my Challenger convertible. I’ve used that trick on several other of my cars since then.

 

[Detective D]

I’ve had several issues over the years where I’d have dash lights etc, but just a solenoid click no crank when I’d turn the key. I’d look at the battery, and the posts and terminals would look clean. I’d give a quick scrub with my battery terminal scrubber, and then the car would start fine. But a few weeks later when I took the car out next, same thing would occur. Rinse repeat over a few years time.
I then read on a forum or someplace to put a light dab of white lithium grease on the posts after cleaning. I tried that and 10 plus years later I never had the issue again in the case of my Challenger convertible. I’ve used that trick on several other of my cars since then.

I am going to try this, in particular on the silly side post/screw in type where the design mostly prohibits any type of protective coating on the connectors.

 

[Ron H]

Think the protectant mentioned is best, just replaced the battery on my plow truck and didn't have any of the stuff left, so doused the posts and clamps with di-electric grease and a coating on the new pads. We shall see...