Epiphany
Well-Known Member
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- #1
I haven't driven my '20 GT500 much in the past few years. Health challenges, endless shit weather, family matters, you name it. I store it inside and it is always on a trickle charger. And as well sealed as it is, every now and then a mouse migrates inside. After having mice build a nest on the intake manifold of a truck I had which caught fire and nearly burned to the ground, I'm somewhat vigilant about it. I've used every trap made and now stick to glue traps. I feel sorry for the little bastards when their life is shortened because of them but I am reminded of the serious damage they can cause. Anyhow, suffice it to say I always have a few traps strategically placed with a dab of peanut butter so they can at least go out with a smile.
So yesterday was the day I planned on firing up the car (first time since last September) and pulling it out to change registration stickers and have a good look at it. As soon as I pull it out I have to go back into my shop to pick up some of the traps I keep under the car so that my dog doesn't put her nose into them. Sure enough, there be a peanut butter aficionado. RIP you little son of a bitch, no harness eating for you!
So I go out to the car, pop the hood, and wtf is this? I connect the charger with a lead to the positive battery terminal and the negative to a ground on the car and not the negative battery terminal so the battery management system stays happy. Living a lifetime in the northeast, battery terminal corrosion isn't something I haven't seen plenty of times before. But I'm not having that on this car.
The white/black "powder" was a rather hard crust that took some effort to chip away. I'm thankful that Ford made the terminal clamp separate from the cable and decided to disassemble the clamp, clean it up, and reinstall.
I scraped the connector and used a wire brush to remove as much as I could and then paced everything in a mini-vat of metal prep.
After about 15 minutes everything was cleaned up and I could rinse and reassemble.
I talked to my Ford Parts guru about this and he noted that the clamp "assembly" was available so I had him order me a replacement as well as some of the terminal protectant that dealers use. I'm also going to check the other end of the cable to see if there any shenanigans going on there as well. Can't have enough of good, clean grounds. And that mouse...funeral was yesterday and in his honor I placed a fresh trap in case any of his family members are eager to join him.
On to the next obstacle...
So yesterday was the day I planned on firing up the car (first time since last September) and pulling it out to change registration stickers and have a good look at it. As soon as I pull it out I have to go back into my shop to pick up some of the traps I keep under the car so that my dog doesn't put her nose into them. Sure enough, there be a peanut butter aficionado. RIP you little son of a bitch, no harness eating for you!
So I go out to the car, pop the hood, and wtf is this? I connect the charger with a lead to the positive battery terminal and the negative to a ground on the car and not the negative battery terminal so the battery management system stays happy. Living a lifetime in the northeast, battery terminal corrosion isn't something I haven't seen plenty of times before. But I'm not having that on this car.
The white/black "powder" was a rather hard crust that took some effort to chip away. I'm thankful that Ford made the terminal clamp separate from the cable and decided to disassemble the clamp, clean it up, and reinstall.
I scraped the connector and used a wire brush to remove as much as I could and then paced everything in a mini-vat of metal prep.
After about 15 minutes everything was cleaned up and I could rinse and reassemble.
I talked to my Ford Parts guru about this and he noted that the clamp "assembly" was available so I had him order me a replacement as well as some of the terminal protectant that dealers use. I'm also going to check the other end of the cable to see if there any shenanigans going on there as well. Can't have enough of good, clean grounds. And that mouse...funeral was yesterday and in his honor I placed a fresh trap in case any of his family members are eager to join him.
On to the next obstacle...
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