Check your battery!

[marius883]

My car has been struggling to start these passed few days. I was out of town for 3 days, came back today, no start. Completely dead! This might be the reason why!
After cleaning off most of the corrosion, I realized that it’s eaten through the whole battery terminal!

Do you think they’ll still replace the battery? I bought it last year.

 

[krewat]

I don't know if that's electrolysis, or an acid leak. It COULD be from an over-charging alternator making the battery boil. However, it would be the manufacturer's fault that the battery leaked around the post.

I'd certainly give it a try and be like "it leaked acid".

 

[Jeff2017]

Wow, that is worse the usual.

 

[Johnbigdog]

My car has been struggling to start these passed few days. I was out of town for 3 days, came back today, no start. Completely dead! This might be the reason why!
After cleaning off most of the corrosion, I realized that it’s eaten through the whole battery terminal!

Do you think they’ll still replace the battery? I bought it last year.

Ask the dealership if the batteries warranty will cover related damage. May be able to get a new harness IF the terminal is badly damaged.

 

[SHOdded]

One of the worst cases I have seen!

 

[marius883]

Now that I’m looking at it again, it almost looks like battery acid that’s leaked out from the battery itself!

I will be taking it to the dealer where I bought the battery tomorrow. Just hope they have my order in their system, because I can’t find the receipt.

 

[6500rpm]

Acid leaks on Ford batteries is common. Almost always on the positive post. Mine did it, and I can't tell you how many I've seen in the fleet. I had thought it was because of all the shit they hung off the positive battery cable, but I see your 2010 doesn't have that. Fwiw, Nissan, Toyota, Honda are just as bad. If it's leaking, replace it. A lot of people don't know, but as the acid leaks across the top of the battery you'll end up with a current draw issue. Take a volt meter and hold one lead on the terminal and one the case where it's wet with electrolyte and you can see for yourself.

 

[SHOdded]

Sound advice!

 

[wraitherx]

Agreed with the above. Hopefully the terminal is still intact. I’ve seen one on a pathfinder where it had ate its way through the terminal.


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[marius883]

Agreed with the above. Hopefully the terminal is still intact. I’ve seen one on a pathfinder where it had ate its way through the terminal.


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That is the exact problem, I took it to the dealer and it looks like it’s eaten it’s way through the bottom part of the terminal. Dealer wants 1000$ to replace the entire harness lol. Can’t I just replace the positive terminal?

 

[wraitherx]

That is the exact problem, I took it to the dealer and it looks like it’s eaten it’s way through the bottom part of the terminal. Dealer wants 1000$ to replace the entire harness lol. Can’t I just replace the positive terminal?

Figured it ate through with how much was on there. Haven’t really looked at the terminal on ours but if there is enough length on it you should be able to just replace the terminal itself. Some cars have stuff attached to it that you can’t remove preventing someone from just replacing the terminal. If you can that’s what I would do or just buy the part and throw it in yourself.


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[Dirty Harry]

Perhaps you should be more observant in the future. Why let a problem get that bad?

 

[marius883]

Perhaps you should be more observant in the future. Why let a problem get that bad?

For sure, I’ve learned my lesson! I’m having a new battery put in as we speak, told them to leave the connector the way it is. I’ll see if I can order a new terminal myself.

 

[tech10002]

AA5Z-14300-FB

That sure is an expensive sucker. The terminal is not available separately. Curiously enough, thr 2011 cable is 60 bucks and looks identical to me. I wonder what the difference is. It appears the cable just bolts onto the terminal, so if the corrosion didn’t wick into the cable itself, you should just be able to replace the terminal with a universal one like this. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263690853392

 

[shaker281]

Depending on your deductible, you may be able to claim this on your auto insurance under comprehensive.
Plus, I'd ask the dealer to contact Ford for assistance, since it was a MC battery, installed by their dealer, that caused the damage.

Or just fix it yourself. Probably way less hassle.

 

[Auggie]

Had that same problem. Left the wife stranded and had it towed to a Ford dealer. Acid ate away pos post and the batt cable. Cost to repair $405. I guess because the pos post is covered by the red cover nobody notices the problem anymore. Everyone, "Lift That Cover".

 

[tech10002]

This seems to be a common issue in the EB 3.5. My wife’s Flex is only a year and a half old, and there was all kinds of corrosion on the terminal and acid had run out the post and under the battery, pooling in the plastic tray. I wonder if thr charging system is boiling the battery and the weak spot is the post? I managed to clean hers up with neutralizer spray and coat the terminal before too much damage was done, but it’s definitely something I’m gonna keep an eye on in both 3.5 EB cars we have.

 

[Hopp]

My car has been struggling to start these passed few days. I was out of town for 3 days, came back today, no start. Completely dead! This might be the reason why!
After cleaning off most of the corrosion, I realized that it’s eaten through the whole battery terminal!

Do you think they’ll still replace the battery? I bought it last year.

Mine was just as bad, went to start it one day and nothing. Found all the corrosion when I went to jump it. The terminal block is replaceable by itself. I believe it is called a terminal fuse or something like that, bought it from the Ford dealer for $45. All the cables bolt or clip into it. Original owner bought a battery from Walmart. Walmart replaced the battery under warranty no questions asked.

 

[shaker281]

Decided to order one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMBOI0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Time to check the battery before winter sets in. I have a 4 yr old Walmart Everstart Maxx and no problems yet, but...

 

[SHOdded]

A digital tester like the solar ba7 would be better.