How to Remove Car Battery Terminals
Over time battery terminals can become corroded and need to be replaced. Without a good connection the battery will not be able to provide power to start the vehicle. Removing car battery terminals is an easy and quick automotive repair.
- Remove the battery. Loosen the negative battery terminal (black coated) by using a wrench to loosen the nut. Lift the negative battery terminal up and away from the battery. Remove the positive battery terminal (red coated) the same way.
- Lift the battery out of the battery holder.
- Remove the retaining screws that hold the clamp, which connect the terminal to the wires. Some terminal connections will not have retaining clamps. If this is so, clip the wires that go into the terminal connector with a pair of wire cutters.
- Cut away any corroded wire end if necessary. Use the wire cutters to clip them off. Be sure there is enough wire to thread through the new terminal connector and reach the battery. Snip away the plastic covering, with wire cutters, to expose the wire if needed.
- Place the wire into the new battery connector retaining clamp and secure by tightening the bolt. Follow these steps to replace both terminals. Be sure to place the correct color coated terminal on the correct wire.
- Place the battery back in its holder.
- Attach the positive (red coated) terminal to the positive connection on the battery. Secure by tightening the bolt. Repeat for the negative (black coated) terminal.