Things You'll Need:
- Corroded battery cables
- Crescent wrench
- Screwdriver
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
- Cloth rag
- Water
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Step 1
Mix 2 tbsp. of baking soda in 8 ounces of water.
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Step 2
Use a spoon to agitate the fluid until the baking soda is completely dissolved.
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Step 3
Put 2 tbsp. of baking soda in a bowl. Take a toothbrush and moisten it in the water and baking soda solution. Then set it into the bowl of dry baking soda. Place it off to the side.
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Step 4
Use a combination of rinse and scrub techniques to remove all the corrosive dirt and debris.
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Step 5
Loosen both battery cable clamps from the power supply posts of a corroded battery.
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Step 6
Remove the cable ends from the battery once the clamps has been loosened enough to pull the wires free from the battery posts.
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Step 7
Remove the black, negative cable and then the red, positive cable. The battery cable clamps will need to be kept from coming in contact with the battery posts after they are disconnected and while cleaning the battery cables.
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Step 8
First tie the black, negative battery cable back from the battery using a tie wrap so the end of the cable can be cleaned away from the battery. Do the same for the red, positive cable once it has been removed as well.
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Step 9
Follow the black, negative battery cable back to its secured, ground anchor. Both cable can be vulnerable to corrosive materials and power robbing buildup. Find the black, negative battery cable anchor location and clean the cable end here first.
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Step 10
While secured in position, coat the ground anchor where the negative battery cable ends at the engine with the baking soda and water solution. Let stand for three to five minutes.
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Step 11
Brush the cable end and fastener on the engine with a toothbrush loaded with a dry baking soda. Let it stand for thirty seconds and pour more of the mixture solution of baking soda and water over this junction again. Wipe dry and clean with a rag after cleaning.
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Step 12
Submerge both cable ends with clamps into the solution of baking soda and water for up to five minutes. This cleaning should eliminate any corrosive buildup on the outer surfaces of the cable, cable clamps and battery cable protective coating.
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Step 13
Use the saturated baking soda and water solution to breakup any buildup of corrosive material. Then use a more concentrated solution with a toothbrush to remove the material in grooves and cable strands that are visible.
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Step 14
Use the dry baking soda and toothbrush to get more of the reactive material inside the grooves and tight corners of the cable ends and clamps.
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Step 15
Scrub the inside and outside of the cable clamps and cable ends that shows metal or cable strands. Pour the solution over the end after scrubbing then rinse with pure water and wipe dry with a rag.
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Step 16
Fasten and secure both cables back to the battery, replacing the red, positive battery cable first and then the negative cable.
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Step 17
Cover the clamps with post protectors to reduce the amount of water that can reach these connections. The addition of oxygen and water increase the amount of corrosive material an old battery will produce and can be managed with the simple protective measures listed here.
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Step 18
Replace the outer battery box panel or close the vehicle's hood. Remove corrosive material and build up from car battery cables and car battery posts that rob a battery from cranking power to start an engine.
