battery cable woes

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Nov 16, 2008 | 07:23 PM

jd140400

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Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 184

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From: effingham illinois

battery cable woes

i keep having a recurring problem with keeping a good connection at the battery, i have sandpapered the connections several times, but afte a few rides it comes back, there is not any corrosion on the terminals, one post is noticably darker than the other, but not any corrosion. any thoughts?

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Nov 16, 2008 | 07:31 PM

2deuce

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 768

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From: NE Ohio

I'm a big fan of Dielectric grease (Auto Zone has it), for all the connections and bulb bases.

Nov 16, 2008 | 08:37 PM

Lucky 13

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 752

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From: North East, Florida

The dark color is more than likely caused by heat. Check the terminals as soon as you return from your next ride check the darker connection, if its a bit warm, theres probably a loose connection someware. It usally happens at the negitive cable.

Nov 16, 2008 | 11:06 PM

In Memoriam Citoriplus

May our Moderator Rest in Peace

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 11,386

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From: Rochester, NY

Don't forget to double check the other end of the cables. A loose or poor connection at the other end might get temporarily 'fixed' by your messing around with the battery connections.
And I have to agree with 2deuce, dielectric grease used properly will keep things from getting strange and or ugly on you.

If everything seems to check out either take it to a dealer and have the battery checked out or pull it and take it someplace to get it checked. Last summer a guy I met had some problems like yours and it turned out that there was a bad cell in the battery causing the problem. They put a new one in and his bike hasn't even hiccuped since.

Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Nov 16, 2008 at 11:11 PM.