a few monthsa ago my car COMPLEATLY dies on me going down the road, it turned out to be corrosion under the boot, so my mechanic took the boots off the wires, not in running the bare

My interior lights flicker on and off very briefly (like a camera flash) when I hit bumps while making right turns... ie, pulling into my driveway

And it'* had that completely dying thing happen too: a violent shake of the wiring harness going to the ICM led to a miraculous cure. Crank, vrooooom.

I think I should get on those battery terminals before something ELSE funny happens :o

Don’t forget that if enough acid leaked into the battery cable it can look like that its full length and you can't see it.
I hate to say it but the safest thing to do is replace the cable.

Good information, Bill. In some situations you can cut the cable back a couple inches, then crimp or connect new terminal lugs.

Glad you brought it up. I actually discovered how corroded the cables (positive mainly) were under the boots last month and promptly turned that green crud into a dust cloud with a wire brush. I can't say it made a noticeable difference in anything but had it continued to build on itself it sure could have! Good post!

Bill,

As posted elsewhere, the problem you detailed here was the cause of my sudden "starter" problem. Wasnt the starter at all, but the corrosion of these cables. If I wasnt at a remote location, I would have taken some pix. They were pretty bad. I cleaned 'em up, and hey presto the car started right up. I will replace them soon.

Thanks again!
John

Typically once you have corrosion on a battery cable you can clean it..but never get rid of it. Which is the main reason I got fresh cables.

Besides..I was at the end of my cable with this P0171 code.

For sake of conversation....

Do you think that is from a leak from a long time ago? I have no idea how close to the ocean you are, but maybe the salty air?

The reason I ask is because after 12 Michigan winters on the bonneville, the cable ends looked brand new...

Good points.

I live about 160 miles from the ocean though. I don't think salt caused this.

The battery was replaced last July. If I were to guess, I think the battery is the culprit. Due to circumstances at the time, I got the battery at WalMart, so it may not be the best.

Thanks,
John

i am actually going to pull my cables and inspect for corossion at somepoint also

and Bill got another code last night....LOL...but it was not related to the Lean Bank