Battery and battery terminal

If anyone can chime in and toss me their ideas and whatnot I’d appreciate it.

At what point do I need to have this taken care of? Do I need a new battery or anything?

I have 8700 miles and have had the truck for about 8 months. Original battery and everything.

I just noticed this possible corrosion on the battery terminal. Also had a thin layer or black tarrish looking layer near the positive terminal.

I wiped up what I could.

 

It’s fine mine looked way worse and functioned fine. If your OCD spend 10 minutes to clean it up.

 

In a small (not for food use) bowl take some warm water and mix in some baking soda.
Gently scrub the terminal with the mix using an old tooth brush.
The blue corrosion will cause the mix to foam a bit, keep working at it until the corrosion is gone.
Gently wash with clear water, make sure none of the mix remains on the inner fender, etc.

I spritz the battery terminals with WD-40 every oil change, it helps keep the corrosion away.

While you are there: Reroute that added on red wire so it doesn't chaff on the hold down, wear away the insulation and cause a short.

 

From what ive been reading, these batteries are failing and leaking. I would assume thats whats causing the corrosion problems on the positive posts. However, there are sprays you can buy that clean the terminals and also a spray to use to prevent corrosion. I need to pull mine off this weekend and treat them.... This wouldnt happen if you would have done that. But there is probably a bigger problem with a leaking battery. Lots of people have gotten these replaced under warranty.

 

Important clarification

In a serious note, where else do I route the added wire? Wouldn't it not cause chaffing when its secured down? I could see a bit potentially when tightening the nut… are you suggesting I put it below the positive lead so the nut tightens on top of the lead not the added wire?

 

well my 10k maintenance is coming up so maybe then or around my 15k ill push for it.

 

I would probably get rid of those added wires on there when you send it in, so they dont have any reason to deny not doing it.

 

On another note are those what could be leading to it? The amp draw though and the very little use of my ditch and chase lights would lead me to think not. Or do I not even bother with toyota and go with a different battery? Then of course thats out of my own pocket but.

 

Stock battery is vented, meaning acid can spill out in daily driving. A sealed battery will make things easier.

Don't need to get fancy with cleaning: pour some baking soda straight from the Arm & Hammer box over each terminal, let it sit for a few minutes and flush with a garden hose.

 

Clean it up and coat the terminals and connections with some battery grease. $2 at the auto parts store and works great.

 

Generally the only time ive seen corrosion on the terminals is from bad connections. I just think that the leaking batteries actually also cause issues(only realized that recently). In the past I had the same issue on my 2nd gen and needed to get a new battery and I replaced the whole terminal, treating it, and never had problems after that.

Regardless, I think you either need to remove and thoroughly clean it, or have the dealer deal with it asap.

 

The potential problem is where the added wire appears to be very close to the battery hold down.
The factory wiring is usually trouble free (with the exception of rodent damage), failures are usually caused by added on items.



Wire loom is handy for adding protection.

 

Are you mentioning this specifically
If so Ill heat shrink cover the little bit of exposed wire.

 

Look how close the wire is to the black metal bracket that goes across the middle of the battery between the caps. (I don't know how to add arrows... )

 

Work-around: Take picture of computer with phone.

 

Oooo I see what you are saying. Even though the red wire is fully enclosed? Either way I will be cleaning up the battery tomorrow. Gonna remove the leads take out the battery, clean that up and then the leads to make sure I don't short anything. Will then monitor from there and see how it goes.

 

There you go!
Imagine that wire vibrating over thousands of miles, slowly wearing the insulation off the wire.

When you disconnect the battery remember: Negative first - Negative last.
This prevents any sparks that might damage the expensive electronics in these trucks.

 

Cathodization oxidation is normal. The advice to clean it and limit the oxidation with a grease or other viscera is correct. You can ignore it as well for typically a very long time before it creates resistance but it’s simple periodic maintenance. While not a direct “leak” of the H2SO4, the hydrogen gas release on long charging cycles can contribute to ancillary metallic leaching of the terminal.

 

I used to use grease long ago, got tired of getting it on my clothes. A spritz of WD-40 every oil change seems to work and is cleaner.

 

Thank you all, I appreciate the help. If all goes well, which I hope it does, I will post an update tomorrow.