Battery Cable replacement & repair made easy

What does a battery cable do?

The battery cables are used to connect the battery terminals to the electrical distribution point (+ve) and to the earthing point (-ve) on the vehicle's chassis.

How does a battery cable work and what are the components?

Battery cables are thick, high capacity cables with a battery clamp on one end and a terminal on the other. The negative will be going to a fixed point on the vehicle chassis in close proximity to the battery. The positive will more often than not, go directly to the starter motor or through a power distribution block.
As these cables are of high capacity and therefore of a large diameter, its not always easy to successfully put new terminals onto them, so they are replaced as a whole instead.

How do you know there is something wrong with the battery cables?

• When the car does not start.
• When none of the electrical equipment works
• When you notice the cable is corroded or damaged.

When should you consider having your car's battery cable replaced?

Over time, the condition of the battery leads can deteriorate. Usually the battery leads corrode, especially at the connectors to the battery. In other cases it might be that cracks appear in the cable's plastic coating due to being exposed to the high temperature fluctuations in the engine bay.

When the leads have corroded it will cause a bad connection in the electrical system. It is therefore important to replace the battery leads when they are damaged or corroded. When damaged the lead is unable to transfer the correct current to the other parts of the electrical system leading to numerous other issues.

What can I do to extend the lifetime of my battery cables?

The only thing you can do is check the battery terminal ends for corrosion and have them replaced before they become a problem, there is nothing else you can really do.

What happens during a battery cable replacement?

• Mechanic checks the electrical and battery system.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the cable.
• Mechanic will advise if other components need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will test the starter motor.
• Mechanic will test the alternator voltage output.

How much does a Battery Cable Replacement cost?
The cost of a battery cable replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends. Find out what you could save by having your battery cable replaced by ClickMechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!