2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Battery cable massacre

[dsmartinjr]

I took my 2001 CTD 2500 in to Sears today to have 2 new Die Hard Platinum batteries installed, only to witness one of the numbskull technicians try to HAMMER the clamps down on my brand new battery One of the senior techs. saw him doing it at the same time, so at least there was a witness. Of course the lead on the positive battery cable totally cracked and broke off. Now they've offered to replace the cable with the OEM part, but I don't know if I trust them to do the work. How hard can it be to replace a battery cable? Then again, how hard can it be to mess up a BATTERY INSTALLATION!? Can any one of you sage diesel mechanics advise whether I ought to risk having Sears' finest work on my vehicle, or simply take the replacement cable from them and get out while I can?

 

[Mundgyver]

Hmmm, for the reasons cited already, that is why I do all my own maintenance.

 

[FLynes]

I feel your pain. Many many years ago I took my 1970 Mustang in to Sears to have the very same thing done as you and witnessed the exact same thing (I was 19 at the time... I'm 34 now) I freaked out on the guy, and the manager very politely told me that they would put a new cable on for me. I told them to give me the money for a new cable and I'd do it myself, which I did.



There might be ASE signs all around, but I think that the only person who is remotely ASE certified is the head tech... . then again, I've heard that a monkey can pass the ASE certification.



Get them to reimburse you for the cost of a new OEM cable and have the piece of mind by putting it in yourself.



This is why I've started doing all my own maintenance, now that my truck is out of warranty.

 

[wlowe]

I took my 2001 CTD 2500 in to Sears today to have 2 new Die Hard Platinum batteries installed, only to witness one of the numbskull technicians try to HAMMER the clamps down on my brand new battery One of the senior techs. saw him doing it at the same time, so at least there was a witness. Of course the lead on the positive battery cable totally cracked and broke off. Now they've offered to replace the cable with the OEM part, but I don't know if I trust them to do the work. How hard can it be to replace a battery cable? Then again, how hard can it be to mess up a BATTERY INSTALLATION!? Can any one of you sage diesel mechanics advise whether I ought to risk having Sears' finest work on my vehicle, or simply take the replacement cable from them and get out while I can?

The problem with the OEM cables is that the terminals get to where they won't tighten down if you remove/reinstall them many times. Thats probably why the moron, I mean mechanic, was pounding on the terminal, to try to get it to tighten down. The short term fix is to take a hack saw and widen the gap at the end of the cable clamp where the sides press together. This gives it enough room to compress onto the post.



Personally, I'm going to replace my terminals with the military type, (see link below). I got four brand new military terminals on Ebay for six bucks. The only problem with the military terminals is that you either have to replace your existing cable ends with ring lugs or have new cables made.



Oh yea, welcome to the TDR!



INDEPENDENT4x - HOME - INDEPENDENT4x SERIOUS OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT

 

[tgordon]

A desperate situation option is to have a piece of gum, I use Juicy Fruit, with the foil wrapper. Take off the end, fold the wrapper into a square and place it between the terminal and the cable end. Had to do this on my jeep, and come to think of it have yet to undo it:-laf:-laf



Some auto stores and Ag equipment dealers will make a cable up for you how you want it. Dealer I worked at had 2/0 cable that we got on a spool and made the cables cheaper than we could get most of them from the company. Ends were crimped on with a press. Your originals if in good shape should have enough extra you could cut the end off and put the ring lugs on if the cable itself is still good. I belive some of th eauto parts stores like Carquest and NAPA can make the cables, or try a truck stop also.



Above all else don't let them install it, they already took you once. I would make them pay a little extra for your trouble of having to replace the cable also.

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome to TDR. I do agree with you. I'd have their Chief Monkey (Technician is way over rated) do the cable replacing and you stand there and watch him, even if it's from just outside the door.



I also do all my own maintenance that I can do with what tools and shop that I have.

 

[kentdiesel]

Horror stories like this make me glad I do my own repairs. After seeing what you did I wouldn't let any of them touch my truck again. Get the money for the cable, do it yourself. Replacing a cable isn't that hard.



Kent

 

[Tom W]

What about the batteries? That can't be good for them. I would have asked for new ones.

 

[LMcCary]

"The problem with the OEM cables is that the terminals get to where they won't tighten down if you remove/reinstall them many times. Thats probably why the moron, I mean mechanic, was pounding on the terminal, to try to get it to tighten down. The short term fix is to take a hack saw and widen the gap at the end of the cable clamp where the sides press together. This gives it enough room to compress onto the post. "



Do not call this idiot a mechanic.

I do not know what you did, but Goodyear paid for the damage inflicted the lugs that the same type of moron twisted off of my 77 dodge truck. He twisted off three seperate lugs, because he was too lazy or stupid to start all of the wheel lugs as required on slotted wheels.

Anyway, Sears needs to replace that battery also, as it will fail if damage internally.

 

[Regcabguy]

Thankful!

Thank God for having a real dad,driver education and training,and auto shop in my formative years. I'm not the handiest owner here,but basic maintenance is on me.

 

[Bob4x4]

I took my 2001 CTD 2500 in to Sears today to have 2 new Die Hard Platinum batteries installed, only to witness one of the numbskull technicians try to HAMMER the clamps down on my brand new battery One of the senior techs. saw him doing it at the same time, so at least there was a witness. Of course the lead on the positive battery cable totally cracked and broke off. Now they've offered to replace the cable with the OEM part, but I don't know if I trust them to do the work. How hard can it be to replace a battery cable? Then again, how hard can it be to mess up a BATTERY INSTALLATION!? Can any one of you sage diesel mechanics advise whether I ought to risk having Sears' finest work on my vehicle, or simply take the replacement cable from them and get out while I can?

I think this is just another case of you get what you pay for. Going in you should have expected an unskilled worker for what sears charges for an electrical ck out.



Bob

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Depending on what state you're in (besides irate-justified) their dumbass antics may have caused their GARAGE-KEEPERS insurance to pay, at your insistence, for OEM replacement of the cable at OEM shop. I feel your pain—once had a mechanic seal an exhaust system ahead of the O2 sensor with OTV gasket material and when the oxalic acid toasted the sensor they wanted ME to pay!!.

(BTW- I didn't they did…). Now if they eould just read the manual!!!!

 

[Diesel Gunner]

It does amaze me that anyone can buy a tool box and adopt the moniker of "Mechanic". Take a couple of classes and be "certified" anything let alone " Master". I am only 51 and have met many "Mechanics" in my time. Only a very few qualify as "Master". May I add, that all of the Masters that I have met never told me that they were. I have a neighbor who will go on and on about how he has been a Mechanic for 25 years and he is only 40? I have witnessed some really bad hack jobs of his. And he is employed in Truck Repair shop.

Anyway, the moral of the story here is "You get what you pay for" . I really don't have issues with shopping price for quality parts, but when you shop for the cheapest installation you might just be setting yourself up for disappointment.



Sorry for your experience. Just turn it into a lesson and learn from it.



And thanks for teaching the rest of us.

 

[Mundgyver]

The best mechanics and technicians I know, never say anything about themselves.



Usually the best you get out of them is, "Hmm, guess we ought to get this fixed so you can get to work".



An when they are done, the motor is usually cleaner than when they started, you can not even tell they were in there, and they took care of something else that was broken or worn and do not say much other than, I adjusted your what-ever thing-amabob cause it was time and don't worry about it. All this followed by a "bring it back if it causes you any more problems, but you should be ok for a few more years".



These type of guys are mainly found in their own shop working their own pace and enjoying life on their terms.

 

[SRath]

Amen, Mundgyver.



"ASE Certified technician" means Playstation-certified computer geek anymore.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Thank God for having a real dad,driver education and training,and auto shop in my formative years. I'm not the handiest owner here,but basic maintenance is on me.

Amen! I graduate this spring with my Technology Ed. degree (industrial arts) and will be certified to teach, among other things, automotive. I have also worked at the TLE in wal-mart and would never allow that to happen.



Support Industrial arts education in your area High schools and this sort of problem might not happen as often!

 

[LarryG]

It's been a while now, but I remember my late father taking his Ford/International diesel to Sears for tires. The kid managed to wipe out the bay door frame with the side of my father's truck!

 

[Mundgyver]

"Support Industrial arts education in your area High schools"



Seems like the schools these days are not very interested in this from what I see.



When I was a kid, you had a choice between metal shop or wood shop. The purpose of these were as we all know, basic skills. The girls on the other hand were funneled into Home-ech or typing (keyboarding now), these also being very usuful skills for young men if they were not too emabarrased to get into it.



Time goes on, we get older and yern for our childhood Since I cannot go back, I now share my knowledge with young poeple in our church. It is allot of fun and keeps me young in heart.

 

[Thomas]

Here is a long-lasting battery cable fix.

 

[dsmartinjr]

nice. clean and tough.