What Is Battery Corrosion?
Battery terminal corrosion, which can lead to the deterioration of the battery terminal materials as well as other parts of the starting system. It’s pretty easy to spot — typically, it’s a white, blue, or green-tinged covering on the battery terminal, cables, or posts. Corrosion on or around your battery’s surfaces can lead to increased resistance within the circuit, which can disrupt the electrical current.
Why Is Corrosion a Problem?
While it’s common for battery corrosion to accumulate over time without causing much of a problem, it’s regular for the corrosion to reach a point where it disrupts the connection between the battery cable and the terminals. Without a proper connection to the battery, your vehicle will struggle to start up or simply not start up at all.
What Causes Battery Corrosion?
The crusty, powdery buildup that is either white, blue, green, or light blue-gray that appears on your battery is corrosion from sulfuric acid that has made its way out of the casing. This can occur for several reasons, but some of the most frequently seen include:
Overcharging
When the alternator is experiencing an issue that causes it to produce an excessive charge, it can lead to boiling acid, which builds pressure inside the battery casing and forces battery acid to leak around the battery terminals.
Battery Casing Damage
Another common source of battery corrosion is damage to the battery casing itself. When the outside of the battery casing is cracked, warped, or damaged, it can allow battery acid to leak from the casing and accumulate near the terminals of your battery.
Battery Age
Over time, battery acid may leak not because of external damage or an alternator issue, but rather simply the wear and tear that automotive batteries experience. As the seals and casing of a battery degrade, it may eventually allow sulfuric acid to escape from the battery and build up corrosion buildup.
How To Clean Battery Corrosion
Cleaning corrosion off your battery posts is a relatively simple process that can instantly restore a proper connection between your cables and the battery posts, because removing the corrosive buildup allows for the efficient flow of electrical current necessary for vehicle operation.
Step #1: Gear Up
Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and should be handled with extreme caution. It can cause severe damage to metal surfaces, as demonstrated by its effect on battery terminal metal. Therefore, it’s crucial to wear appropriate protective gear, including long-sleeved clothing, eye protection, and gloves, to prevent skin contact and inhalation.
For tools, you’ll only need a socket to disconnect the battery cables and a brush for cleaning the posts. A wire brush is ideal, but an old toothbrush or similar item can also be used.
To clean the battery terminals, use a mixture of baking soda and water. The sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda reacts chemically with the sulfuric acid residue, neutralizing its acidity. The bubbles produced during the mixing process help loosen stuck-on corrosion.
Step #2: Remove The Cables
Start by removing the battery’s cables to gain better access to the terminal. Always begin with the negative (black) cable first, then move on to the positive (red) cable.
Step #3: Apply Solution & Scrub
Take a suitable amount of your cleaning solution and apply it to the battery terminals. Use your brush to scrub away the corrosion from the battery posts. This may require some effort, but eventually, you should be able to remove almost all the residue.
Next, use a wet rag to wipe off any remaining residue and cleaning solution, leaving the battery terminals to appear brand new. Make sure the area is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Optionally, you can add dielectric grease or even some household petroleum jelly to form a protective barrier preventing future corrosion.
Step #4: Reattach Cables
Now do the reverse of step #2 by reattaching the battery cables, starting with the positive cable first, then the negative cable.
Battery Replacement and Electrical Service in Portland, OR
Replacing a car battery, particularly on modern cars, can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to do on your own. Many modern cars require batteries to be programmed with specialized tools. At Arthurs Automotive in Portland, OR, our experts have the skills and experience needed to diagnose and fix any electrical problems with your car. Whether the issue is caused by a dead battery, blown fuse, or faulty module, we will recommend the most cost-effective fix to get you back on the road. Call or schedule an appointment online for electrical diagnosis or battery replacement today! Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let us take care of all your electrical repair needs.
