Forum Discussion

Jerry_B's avatar
Jerry_B
Explorer
May 10, 2015

possibly a deadly situation with a corroded battery terminal

While driving my 1998 Chevy Dually yesterday, the engine died. I wqas left with no brakes and steering was next to nothing. Got it off the road and found that the positive side terminal on the battery was corroded inside the cable boot so there was no power at all in the truck. Now, if I had been towing my 18K 5th wheel down hill when this happened I would have been toast since the brake pedal could not have sent a braking command to the 5th. This has me concerned that a simple thing like a corroded battery terminal can about do me in. I will definitely make sure my serpentine belt is like new, battery terminals are clean and all power cables and grounds are good.
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Back to the original post - even with a dead engine you should have 5 to 7 power assisted brake applications in reserve. "No brakes" suggests you pumped them and exhausted that reserve.
    Steering - yup, it would be VERY heavy!
    But I still don't understand why the engine died in the first place.
  • cummins2014's avatar
    cummins2014
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    2oldman wrote:
    I'd pull that acid tub out of there and replace with AGM.



    After having an AGM marine battery for running a electric motor for inflatable fishing pontoon I am impressed with them. I like the sealed part of them for all the handling I have to do with them, no worry about acid . As far as a permanent battery not sure they are worth the extra cost.Other then being sealed do they last that much longer then a good quality standard battery.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2015
    I'd pull that acid tub out of there and replace with AGM.
  • cummins2014's avatar
    cummins2014
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Jerry B wrote:
    While driving my 1998 Chevy Dually yesterday, the engine died. I wqas left with no brakes and steering was next to nothing. Got it off the road and found that the positive side terminal on the battery was corroded inside the cable boot so there was no power at all in the truck. Now, if I had been towing my 18K 5th wheel down hill when this happened I would have been toast since the brake pedal could not have sent a braking command to the 5th. This has me concerned that a simple thing like a corroded battery terminal can about do me in. I will definitely make sure my serpentine belt is like new, battery terminals are clean and all power cables and grounds are good.



    You were running off the battery until it died, apparently you don't have an alternator light or gauge that is working. Sounds like an alternator or relay went out, and you were running on the battery until it went dead. Corroded battery terminal did not do you in, it could of prevented the battery from getting a charge, but then the truck would eventually not start.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    kaydeejay wrote:
    Something else going on here - your alternator should have continued to power the truck unless it too shut down.

    That is what I thought also.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2015
    A little maintenance will go along way... We learned along time ago there is more to it then just jumping in behind the wheel and drive...

    Roy Ken
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Something else going on here - your alternator should have continued to power the truck unless it too shut down.

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