Hi Ultimate Subaru Mess. Brd!

 

Can I be directed to a diagram to help me install a new battery positive cable for my 2002 Outback 2.5L Automatic?

 

I've been having electrical problems and this is my first car.

 

I've isolated the problem, (I think) with kind help from another board. Battery is new and charged, but there is a discontinuity issue from the pos+ battery pole.

 

When I remove the pos+ battery cables from the battery, my CAT battery charge detects the battery.

 

With the pos+ batt cable connected to the pos+ battery pole, my CAT battery charger does not recognize the battery.

 

The clamp from the batt pos+ cable is ok as I removed it from the batt. pos+ cable, attached it to the batt pos+ pole and attached the red spring clamp from my charger directly to the batt pos+ clamp, clamped onto the pos+ pole of the battery. My battery charger then recognizes the battery.

 

The advice given was to change the battery positive cable before spending money on a new alternator. Again, the battery is new and charged.

 

I would really appreciate a diagram to help me install the a new batt pos+ cable.... thanks for any help or advice.

 

Gary 

The battery cable goes straight to the starter.  It also has a smaller pigtail that goes about 6 inches to the main fusebox.

 

No real need for a diagram.

 

Buy a new cable with a single pigtail in addition to the main cable.

 

Just disconnect the old cable and inastall a new one from the Battery + to the Starter......and crimp the pigtail to the wire goin to the fuse box.

 

The old POS cable is taped and wrapped up with the negative cable......so removing it is tricky.....I would just disconnect the ends and leave it.

Also don't forget that when working with the battery or cables to disconnect the negative cable off of the battery before you start working on the positive cable.  This will prevent you from arcing from the positive cable terminals to a ground, which can get quite interesting at times. 

Unsure why you need a new battery cable. If there is a battery cable problem, it is usually because of a corroded connector making a bad electrical connection at the battery or starter. The cable itself seldom goes bad.

 

Last year, my positive battery connector needed replacing. I bought a new connector, which I attached to the cable, and all is well. Clean off any corrosion at either end of the cable. When finished, go to most any auto parts store, ask the counter guy if he will check out the charging system on your car with his tester machine. Stores like Autozone or Advance Auto parts will do this service at no charge out in the parking lot of their store. Then you know for sure if there is any issue with the battery, alternator, or wiring

in my experience, quick cable branded solder connectors are the easiest and most solid replacement battery terminals. i replaced both positive and negative battery cables and terminals in a toyota today using these. get some heat shrink tubing too.

The cables do go bad, they corrode up inside the insulation.  The corrosion can be so bad that it's solid white throughout the wiring.  These will cause starting problems. Bending/wiggling the wiring will get it to start.  Cleaning the first few inches from the battery cable will get it to last a few months to a year.