bikemikey Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 While working on my 89 reatta I've disconnected the battery a few times, today I noticed a battery warning on the dash. After further inspection I noticed the factory bolts that bolt to the battery had only about three threads on them. I picked up some new ones at the Zone , they were threaded all the way. After installing, the engine seemed to run a little smoother . I wonder now if I had a problem all along even though I was not getting a battery warning until now. Anyway, I thought I would pass this along , I know battery cables should be tight as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wws944 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 This was a very common problem with GM vehicles back in the '90s, where there was a lead washer between the lugs on the POS side. Overtightening the bolt would cause the washer to get squished, and perhaps allow the bolt to 'bottom out' in some batteries. The connection would become intermittent and cause a host of problems.A few folks here have reported similar situations with their Reattas. I actually encountered it with my Suburban. The heat from the poor connection caused the battery case to slightly deform and start to weep acid out onto the terminals - making the situation worse. I had to replace both the battery and cables. (It is also when I started using AGM batteries - no possibility of leaks.) Felt lucky it didn't take out the alternator. But the alternator did fail a couple of years later. So it is quite possible the diodes were weakened by the poor connection - causing the eventual failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol' yeller Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I had similar problems with my '90 vert. Mine had alternator whine in the radio and the headlights would dim when I hit the brakes. I eventually had to replace the battery too as the threads in the battery were destroyed as well. 4 months later and all is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I had just replaced mine on the 88 coupe days before it's demise. They would not tighten snugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikemikey Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 After installing those bolts yesterday, I took the Reatta for a test ride today, the engine ran a lot smoother. Now for some new tires!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Very common problem with all side terminal batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikemikey Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 After my test ride yesterday I thought all was well until I started the car this morning, I got a battery warning again to my surprise . I noticed the ground cable was loose after installing new bolts and the computer threw a code E 039 which I believe is a torque converter clutch circuit. After I tightened the cable ,the warnings and codes went away. I also tried a new battery from my truck to see if I had a problem with a bad battery but the mild erratic idle was still there. I'm leaning towards a bad fuel injector but that's another thread. I'm wondering if my alternator could be causing the idle problem with weak diodes, or not? It seems to be charging okay. How would you test for that? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 This may explain the problem you are having.Battery Cable Checks & Repair - Reatta Owners Journal I had a similar problem. You can read about it below.http://forums.aaca.org/f116/interesting-abs-malfunction-272166.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Have you cleaned ground terminal connectors by the battery and antifreeze resevoir (black is the grounds - red is the positive). Also the grounding bolt on the crossmember of radiator on other side of battery and the grounding cable to engine. You might have grounding corrosion in conjunction with battery terminals problem.Woody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikemikey Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 I'll try that washer trick on the bolts , makes sense. I've gone through all the grounds that I know up except the one on the cross member by the radiator, I'll look for it. Interesting links. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Stop in at your FLAPS and they will test your battery and alternator for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Back when I was having problems with the alarm going off for no reason,I used a piece of threaded rod,a short spacer,and a big wingnut on my positive terminal.that way I can disconnect the battery without tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRP Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 I installed real battery posts onto the sides of my battery. Got them from AutoZone. They bolt through your cuttent connectors, but give you a real post to use if you need to use jumper cables. Easy install and they bolt right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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