Starting Issues

[hattrick11]

Hello, new here. I bought a 2008 Ford Fusion a few days ago, and I am running into a bit of a problem.

When I try to start the car, sometimes it delays, then starts. I noticed that my positive battery connector was very corroded and the bottom part of the connector was partially missing. The top part is is in tact. I am also getting my airbag light to come on once in a while.

It may be nothing more than my battery being bad. I had it tested and the machine said it was too weak to test. Does anyone thing that maybe the battery isn't recharging because a small portion of the connector is missing, or is it more liekly to be a bad battery? I know it's probably tough to answer from just this info. Any help would be appreciated.

[xmech2k]

Of course it's possible it was charged poorly due to the bad connector. You could put the battery on a charger and then check it again. You have to take into account how old the battery is. Maybe it's just it's time.

 

Meanwhile, you should replace that bad terminal. After you've done it, put a little vaseline on the connectors and terminals. It helps to keep them from corroding. And do you know about the baking soda/water mixture to clean up corrosion, too? Just do it over a spot on the ground you don't mind staining, and clean up any of it that runs onto any of the rest of your car. (And you should probably get a face shield while doing it. Nothing should happen, but look up some car battery horror stories. Burns, blinded, etc...)

 

Good luck.

[drolds1]

You didn't say how many miles are on your car, but I agree that your battery might be bad. Your problems may very well be due to the corroded terminal. Did you buy this car from a dealer or privately? Any kind of warranty?

 

Always start with the most obvious solution. Change the corroded terminal, as xmech2K says. However, do not cut off the old terminal and splice on one of those terminals you see hanging on a rack in the parts store. Those are temporary solutions at best. Replace the entire cable with an OE or quality part. This is the only was to be assured that the terminal ends are properly bonded to the cable, ensuring full voltage and corrosion protection.

 

When that's all done, you can have your battery retested with a load tester. If it's on its last legs, get a new one and you should be OK.

[akirby]

Hello, new here. I bought a 2008 Ford Fusion a few days ago, and I am running into a bit of a problem.

When I try to start the car, sometimes it delays, then starts. I noticed that my positive battery connector was very corroded and the bottom part of the connector was partially missing. The top part is is in tact. I am also getting my airbag light to come on once in a while.

It may be nothing more than my battery being bad. I had it tested and the machine said it was too weak to test. Does anyone thing that maybe the battery isn't recharging because a small portion of the connector is missing, or is it more liekly to be a bad battery? I know it's probably tough to answer from just this info. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Had the same problem and a new battery and clean terminals fixed it right up.

[hattrick11]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have already priced the positive cable and it is around $104 from Ford. I assume a battery will be about the same. I will try these suggestions and respond with my results.

 

Thanks again for the quick replies.