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From: thara01 on 11 Nov 2008 09:12
Hello Everybody,

Couple of weeks back my car would not start. Nothing happens when i
insert the keys and when i turn the ignition. My dashboard lights did
not light up. I replaced my battery recently so i thought it is not
battery. So i opened the hood and touched the negative cable (not the
terminal). Then it started as normal. Took it to the mechanic
explained the scenario and he said it is the bad terminal. I tried to
explain him what i did and he said the negative terminal look bad and
that is the reason for the change. The same thing happened today
morning. My camry did not start. I opened the hood and I touched the
cable. It felt too tight. I did not even shake the cable. Then my car
started. I paid $30 to replace the negative battery terminal which is
not even the fault. I am thinking the negative cable is the faulty
one. I am thinking of replacing it myself without going to the
mechanic. Let me know if my findings are correct. If it correct then i
need to know the tools needed and any other advice like changing both
the terminal cables etc..

Thanks for your help in advance.

RT
From: ransley on 11 Nov 2008 13:12
On Nov 11, 8:12 am, thar...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> Hello Everybody,
>
> Couple of weeks back my car would not start. Nothing happens when i
> insert the keys and when i turn the ignition. My dashboard lights did
> not light up. I replaced my battery recently so i thought it is not
> battery. So i opened the hood and touched the negative cable (not the
> terminal). Then it started as normal. Took it to the mechanic
> explained the scenario and he said it is the bad terminal. I tried to
> explain him what i did and he said the negative terminal look bad and
> that is the reason for the change. The same thing happened today
> morning. My camry did not start. I opened the hood and I touched the
> cable. It felt too tight. I did not even shake the cable. Then my car
> started. I paid $30 to replace the negative battery terminal which is
> not even the fault. I am thinking the negative cable is the faulty
> one. I am thinking of replacing it myself without going to the
> mechanic. Let me know if my findings are correct. If it correct then i
> need to know the tools needed and any other advice like changing both
> the terminal cables etc..
>
> Thanks for your help in advance.
>
> RT

Let me understand this, the cable is loose you touch it it starts, the
cable is to tight, you paid to have it replaced, and you are thinking
of replacing it again yourself, and its not the fault but you want to
do it again. OK I understand. Did you clean the cable terminals, do
they tighten hard on battery terminals and cant move. Is battery
charged by a charger. Do those first.
From: Daniel on 11 Nov 2008 13:18
thar...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> i opened the hood and touched the negative cable (not the
> terminal). Then it started as normal.
======
If you get current only when "touching" wiggling or moving the battery
cable, sounds like you've found the fault.
I always like to use Toyota parts, but changing the battery cable
should be straightforward.
Unbolt each end and install new.
Again, the Toyota parts will have all the correct items already in
place.
I don't think these commonly fail, so if price is an issue, check the
local salvage yards.
You did say you replaced the battery right?
Otherwise could be an internal fault inside the case near the battery
post.
From: RT on 11 Nov 2008 13:35
Sorry if my post is confusing. The mechanic cleaned both the terminals
and replaced only the negative terminal. He *did not * change any
cable. Today morning I felt the cable from the negative terminal is
too tight. All I did was I felt the cable by touching it and then I am
able to start the car. So my finding is may be the other end of the
negative battery cable has bad connection. Not too sure where the
other end goes.

On Nov 11, 1:12 pm, ransley <Mark_Rans...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Nov 11, 8:12 am, thar...(a)gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hello Everybody,
>
> > Couple of weeks back my car would not start. Nothing happens when i
> > insert the keys and when i turn the ignition. My dashboard lights did
> > not light up. I replaced my battery recently so i thought it is not
> > battery. So i opened the hood and touched the negative cable (not the
> > terminal). Then it started as normal. Took it to the mechanic
> > explained the scenario and he said it is the bad terminal. I tried to
> > explain him what i did and he said the negative terminal look bad and
> > that is the reason for the change. The same thing happened today
> > morning. My camry did not start. I opened the hood and I touched the
> > cable. It felt too tight. I did not even shake the cable. Then my car
> > started. I paid $30 to replace the negative battery terminal which is
> > not even the fault. I am thinking the negative cable is the faulty
> > one. I am thinking of replacing it myself without going to the
> > mechanic. Let me know if my findings are correct. If it correct then i
> > need to know the tools needed and any other advice like changing both
> > the terminal cables etc..
>
> > Thanks for your help in advance.
>
> > RT
>
> Let me understand this, the cable is loose you touch it it starts, the
> cable is to tight, you paid to have it replaced, and you are thinking
> of replacing it again yourself, and its not the fault but you want to
> do it again. OK I understand. Did you clean the cable terminals, do
> they tighten hard on battery terminals and cant move. Is battery
> charged by a charger. Do those first.

From: RT on 11 Nov 2008 14:56
Daniel,

Yes, the battery is new. Thanks for your reply. Will get toyota part
for this. Do i need to replace both the cable or is it ok to replace
the one in fault?


On Nov 11, 1:18 pm, Daniel <nospampls2...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> thar...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> >  i opened the hood and touched the negative cable (not the
> > terminal). Then it started as normal.
>
> ======
> If you get current only when "touching" wiggling or moving the battery
> cable, sounds like you've found the fault.
> I always like to use Toyota parts, but changing the battery cable
> should be straightforward.
> Unbolt each end and install new.
> Again, the Toyota parts will have all the correct items already in
> place.
> I don't think these commonly fail, so if price is an issue, check the
> local salvage yards.
> You did say you replaced the battery right?
> Otherwise could be an internal fault inside the case near the battery
> post.

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