Help! Battery Problems

[PPK321]

I recently changed my battery and my car starts up fine but dies after a few minutes with all the lights in the dash still lit. I've had this problem before when my alternator died but I recently replaced it so I don't think that's the problem. Could it be the battery terminals? All help is greatly appreciated.

Here's a picture of my the terminal that worries me.

[billydpowell]

this whole post must be a joke..... no one would have a battery connection like that, and then take photos and show them around....

cheers!!!!!

[pj8708]

I recently changed my battery and my car starts up fine but dies after a few minutes with all the lights in the dash still lit. I've had this problem before when my alternator died but I recently replaced it so I don't think that's the problem. Could it be the battery terminals? All help is greatly appreciated.

Here's a picture of my the terminal that worries me.

In spite of billydpowell's rudeness, it is obvious you need new battery cables. Those in the photo are corroded and unable to make a good connection. As far as the starting then dieing problem, I doubt the battery is the problem regardless of the cable connection issue.

Someone else will chime in here and help out.

[billydpowell]

I recently changed my battery and my car starts up fine but dies after a few minutes with all the lights in the dash still lit. I've had this problem before when my alternator died but I recently replaced it so I don't think that's the problem. Could it be the battery terminals? All help is greatly appreciated.

Here's a picture of my the terminal that worries me.

In spite of billydpowell's rudeness, it is obvious you need new battery cables. Those in the photo are corroded and unable to make a good connection. As far as the starting then dieing problem, I doubt the battery is the problem regardless of the cable connection issue.

Someone else will chime in here and help out.

Paul I was not intending to be rude at all, just really could not believe what I saw.... this is largely a do it your self forum.... .

[1990LS400]

Billy, I suspect PPK321 is serious based on his post a month or so ago.

Of course your battery terminals need cleaning. They are digusting!!! Mix a little baking soda and water and apply to the terminals and cable ends after you remove the cables from the battery. Scrub the baking soda/water mixture on the terminals and cable ends with an old toothbrush or similar to bubble the gunk away.

Buy a wire battery terminal/cable end cleaning brush - the one I have cost a few bucks at an auto parts store. Use the special wire battery bush to clean the inside of the cable ends and the battery terminals until they are bright and shiny. Attach the cable ends to the battery, tighten securely and then apply a light coating of something like petroleum jelly to the cable ends/terminals to !Removed! future corrosion. I just did this to my LS just last Saturday. It's good to do all this about once each year and to reapply the petroleum jelly coating every few months.

If you don't have cable end covers for your battery cables, buy and install a set.

Keeping your battery cable ends and battery terminals clean, bright and shiney makes big difference in how well your alternator charges your battery and how well it starts your engine.

[billydpowell]

to be serious, if it dies with all the lights still on, he needs to check the output of his alternator, the battery is used to start the car, but the alt, is what runs it...

[landar]

First off, that terminal appears to missing the right half (with bolt) that would pull the clamp together. However, it is difficult to tell from a picture the exact nature of mechanical clamping that is employed. There is obvious corrosion around the area that the cables are crimped so that might be suspect as well.

Now, despite the look of the clamp, I doubt the battery or clamp are you immediate problems. IF the engine cranks robustly and starts, I do not see how the clamp suddenly opens up to kill the engine. You most likely have other issues and more info is needed.

When it dies, can you immediately restart it?