Q: My 2014 Buick Regal positive battery terminal develops corrosion and gets very hot every couple of years and will not crank the engine. I have to remove the battery cable, clean corrosion powder off the terminal and cable end, then reconnect the positive cable terminal before the engine will crank. Is the battery cable terminal end material the problem?
L.K., Park Ridge, Illinois
A: The heat is likely due to high electrical resistance as the voltage tries to break through the corrosion. After cleaning the terminal and cable clamp (which itself is unlikely the problem) and rinsing them with baking soda solution followed by plain water, coat the connection. Grease is an old standby, but I prefer products specifically designed for the job. If everything returns to normal after cleaning, the cable and clamp are fine.
