Re: help a clueless car owner (battery issue)
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Well, I changed the cable terminal. On the way home I stopped for take-out, and when I got back into the car, it still wouldn't start. I opened the hood and tapped on the terminals with my wrench and then it started fine, but ARGH this is so frustrating.
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This is good though. At least you can be pretty certain that you've got it diagnosed. Battery connections can be a pain sometimes. Toyota's use the standard top-post terminals right? If so, you may need to sort of massage the terminal cables on the posts until they find a good solid contact patch. Apply some downward pressure and twist them like you're turning a screw. Then tighten the nut up really snug.
Edit: Another thought. If you only changed the terminal and not the entire cable, it's possible that the wires coming out of the cable are not getting a good connection to your new terminal end because they're corroded and nasty.
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