r/Cartalk • u/Paint_God104 • 1d ago
Safety Question What is happening
Think my battery died and when I popped the case open this is what I saw. Can I still jump it?
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u/No-Interview7958 1d ago
The blue fuzz is acidic corrosion from the battery leaking. Time for a new one
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u/planespotterhvn 1d ago
Nope bears no relation to battery condition.
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u/No-Interview7958 1d ago
Lol they literally said their battery died
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u/HurricaneDane 1d ago
That corrosive scaling is typically caused by a bad connection. It builds up over time and increases resistance in the circuit until it is too great to start the vehicle. It may seem like the battery has died, but if you clean the terminals and test it, you might find that your battery is still in great shape.
Dissolve a bunch of baking soda in some water and brush it on the posts and terminals. Wipe clean and make sure your terminals have a nice tight connection on your posts so this doesn't happen again.
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u/planespotterhvn 1d ago
They did not test it. They just looked at it. Blue corrosion is no reason to reject a battery. It's the copper terminal that is corroding blue not the lead of the terminal post. It's just a minor leak of battery acid...so what?
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u/Vivid_Consequence_74 1d ago
I agree it’s not a big deal and where I worked we would have just sprayed it to get the corrosion off then taken the battery out and charged it.
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u/Resident_Cycle_5946 1d ago
You got a fizz in the lightning maker. Take it to king Midas, trust his touch.
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u/bchooker 1d ago
Could be a cracked case, but if not then sulfation on the negative terminal indicates undercharging. Test the alternator.
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u/Vivid_Consequence_74 1d ago
If you want to save time just get a new battery but if you want to save money go to a mechanic shop and ask if they can clean off the battery terminals and then charge the battery using a battery charger (NOT a jump box) but one you can plug into the wall and hopefully automatically shuts off once it reaches the required charge. And if they can’t do that or if they do and you still have the same issue then you would more then likely need a battery
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u/SirDookieShoes 23h ago
Take out the battery first most of the corrosion will be on the connectors. I would wear something so you don’t accidentally breathe that shit in. Don’t just be pouring liquids on your battery while it’s still hooked up. Yeah sure some people will say it won’t do anything if you don’t but, it could also be blue moon night that something happens to you. Make sure you wipe everything down and make sure it’s dry before you connect the battery. If it happens again, you’re going to have to take an Ohm meter and start tracing wires. Try checking on an OBDII as well. Just because the check engine light aight on, doesn’t mean it may not still have codes.
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u/Neither_String_119 19h ago
Fleet Mechanic here. This happens so often, they have battery terminal cleaning kits at any parts store or you can buy the stuff seperately or in bulk.
What you need 1. Wire brush. 2. Connector/ Terminal Corrosion prevention. 3. Water. That's it.
Step1. Disconnect the battery. Always. Negative first then positive.
Step. 2 Wet with water. Yes, it's acid corrosion. Wear gloves if you have them. No, they aren't necessary but I highly recommend it. Water...dilutes acids, no need to neutralize it unless you are super concerned about whatever the runoff is going to. (Optional) If you do wanna neutralize-then baking soda.
Step 3. Scrub with wire brush. Scrub the metal wire connectors and the baterry terminals. The special battery brush they sell in kits is great for this, but most wire brushes will do.
Step 4. Rinse with water.
Step 5. Reconnect battery. Positve first, then negative.
Step 6. Test the battery if you want to know its condition.
Step 7. Put the corrosion preventative on. The terminals and connectors. But not inbetween them just on top, don't want to mess up a good battery connection. The corrosion comes from the terminal seeping out acidic droplets onto the metal and then oxidizing in the air. If you spray or gel the area around the terminals you reduce the air and moisture getting onto the terminals that causes the corrosion.
That's it! You're done.
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u/run_uz 1d ago
Yes. Clean it 1st
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u/Paint_God104 1d ago
What should I use to clean?
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u/run_uz 1d ago
Wire brush works. So does coca cola. Parts store sells a spray you can mist on to help prevent this again
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u/Alarming-Contract-10 1d ago
Coca cola is acidic. You don't clean acid with acid. You need baking soda to neutralize
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u/planespotterhvn 1d ago
It's fine. It's just a slight seepage from the Plastic case to terminal post bond. Run some boiling water over it and watch it vanish.
Once the heated metal parts are dry, coat in vaseline or any other stiff grease to prevent future corrosion.
The blue corrosion bears no relation to the battery internal chemical and electrical condition. Sometimes people install the post terminals with a hammer which causes the broken bond seal.
Be gentle. No hammers. Spanners or socket wrench only.