Spray Me and Lube Me

[Maritimer]

My antenna isn't going up all the way, and I think it's mainly from the cold. I was wondering what kind of grease to put on it, or if I can use WD-40?

Also, I am having starting issues, related to the battery I think. It was terrible yesterday, just doing nothing if I engaged the ignition. I opened the hood, breathed on the connections, wiggled them, closed the hood, and then it started like a charm. I was wondering if there is something to spray on the connections, or what's the proper way to clean them without getting electrocuted.

 

[koulee]

Well your antenna has plastic teeth that can wear out thus causing your problem. So more than likely that is what is happening and you will either have to replace or mod it to the Taco Whip.

As for your battery you can disconnect both positive and negative and use a metal brush to clean the insides of the clamps. Your local auto parts dealer will have this part for cheap.

You didn't mention how old your battery was, so another possibility is that it might be going out as well.

A last thing that deals with starting is the starter itself. The copper contacts inside it can wear out thus causing a hard start condition. Those can be replaced without having to replace the whole starter itself.

 

[Maritimer]

Hmmm... I tried WD-40 on the antenna, and it still seems sticky so if it doesn't work itself out I'll keep the Taco mod in mind. I really don't like the idea of a complicated motorized antenna anyway.

The battery is actually a 2009 manufacture, so it shouldn't be acting up, however, it's strange that it seems to work fine once the engine is hot but will act up if it's been sitting overnight. Yesterday it wouldn't start, so I opened the hood, breathed on the connections and wiggled them a bit, then closed the hood and it started like nothing. Same thing this morning. I put some WD-40 on the connections, so it'll either blow up or continue to work again.

Started well tonight. We'll see what tomorrow morning brings. I'd rather not take it to a shop and pay $100 for something simple. If it is the battery itself, though, it's under a 2 year warranty, so I'll have to hope I can snag one out of them even though the previous owner bought it.

 

[philsey]

Seriously... you put WD40 on the battery connections?

You need to do exactly what koulee told you before anything else - disconnect and clean both the battery terminals and the inside of both the connectors. Auto parts stores sell a simple tool for this. They'll also test your battery for free.

 

[Maritimer]

Seriously... you put WD40 on the battery connections?

You need to do exactly what koulee told you before anything else - disconnect and clean both the battery terminals and the inside of both the connectors. Auto parts stores sell a simple tool for this. They'll also test your battery for free.

Um... yes. I hope it doesn't hurt anything.

I'll clean them up like koulee said and get the battery tested. What should I use on the connections once they are clean?

 

[VinnyM]

After you get them clean you can also seal them up with some dielectric grease so they stay clean.

 

[Maritimer]

After you get them clean you can also seal them up with some dielectric grease so they stay clean.

Cool, that's what I wanted to know. I hope it's just a bad connection due to corrosion, as Canadian Tire won't cover the warranty after a transfer of title has been made (previous owner bought the battery) and they don't even test batteries without a service fee. I bought a can a battery cleaner and a brush and I'll pick up the grease for afterward.

 

[Maritimer]

A cleaning and re-greasing got the battery back to normal, and some motor oil got the antenna working fine again. Cars take more of my time than the wife.