How to Replace a Car Battery Terminal

Replacing a car battery terminal can be an expensive repair. However, with the right tools and a little bit of know how, you can repair it yourself using a Battery Harness Repair Splice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Tools and Materials
Battery Harness Repair Splice
Wire cutters/strippers
Heat shrink tubing
Heat gun or lighter
Protective gloves and eyewear

Step-by-Step Battery Terminal Replacement Guide

Safety Precautions

Ensure the vehicle is turned off and the keys are removed from the ignition.
Wear protective gloves and eyewear to prevent injury.
Follow the Safety recommendations for personal protective equipment

Quick Connect Battery Harness Repair Splice

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Disconnect the Battery

Use a wrench to loosen the nuts securing the battery terminals. Start with the negative terminal (-) first, then the positive terminal (+).
Carefully lift the battery cables away from the terminals and set them aside, ensuring they do not touch any metal surfaces.

Inspect the Battery Cables

Examine the battery cables for any damage or corrosion. If the cables are corroded or damaged near the terminal, it’s best to replace them with a car battery harness repair splice kit.

Prepare the Battery Harness Repair Splice

Cut the damaged portion of the battery cable using wire cutters.
Strip a small amount of insulation from the ends of the cut cables using wire strippers.

Install the Repair Splice

Slide the Battery Harness Repair Splice over one end of the cut cable, ensuring it covers the exposed wire strands.
Repeat the process for the other cut cable end, ensuring both ends are securely inside the splice.

Top Rated Battery Terminal Repair Kits

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Crimp the Splice

Use pliers to firmly crimp the metal connectors on the Battery Harness Repair Splice, securing the cable ends in place.

Heat Shrink Tubing

Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the repaired section of the cable.
Use a heat gun or lighter to evenly heat the tubing until it shrinks tightly around the splice, providing insulation and protection.

Use Anti-Corrosion Washers to Prevent Future Corrosion

Clean Terminals using a Terminal cleaning tool and Install Anti Corrosion fiber washers
Anti-Corrosion washers prevent galvanic corrosion and degradation of metal surfaces by providing a barrier against moisture and environmental factors.
Act as an insulator between metal components, reducing the risk of electrical shorts and creating a seal to prevent leaks in fluid systems.
Absorb vibrations, reducing the risk of battery terminal damage

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Reconnect the Battery

Place the repaired battery cables back onto the appropriate terminals (negative terminal first, then positive terminal).
Tighten the nuts on the terminals securely to ensure a proper connection.

Test the Connection

Give the Battery Wires a slight tug to ensure the are properly tightened. If loose, un-do the nut and pushdown on the terminal connector as it is tightened down, this will help to ensure the base of the connector remains on the battery face
Turn the ignition key to the “on” position and check that all electrical components are functioning correctly.
Start the engine to ensure the battery is supplying power as intended.

By following these steps carefully, you can successfully replace your car battery terminal using a Battery Harness Repair Splice, restoring proper electrical connectivity and ensuring reliable performance of your vehicle.

Corrosion is often caused by a crack in the plastic battery housing, located near the terminal connection.

If you find a crack in the housing, you’ll need to replace the car battery. See our article on tips for selecting the correct battery for your vehicle:

How to Replace a Car Battery Terminal