Perfect. The advantages of both with the failings of neither.

 

BimmerJeeper - Thank you so much for this writeup! I have the exact same thing going on, and you took all of the mystery out of it. Greatly aprpeciated!

 

You're very welcome!
This is the kind of detailed ZERO mystery write-up I need.
So, I'm glad to give one back!

 

NO KIDDING that was painful. I tried every 11/16ths socket or wrench i owned and eventually managed to get something crammed in there after removing some shyt.

And thanks to the OP for the writeup, it really wasn't a hard job but it is nice to see some pictures of what you are about to get into before you go for it.

 

I had a short in my positive battery cable, and decided to replace it. I looked on line for basic instructions, and got a replacement cable and terminal from advanced auto.

It was fairly simple, except I was perplexed when I ran into the rubber block at the starter/solenoid. I ended up cutting my old positive cable and putting on the new cable on the same post, but then I reattached my rubber block with the green wire still attached. I looked at the wiring diagrams and it seemed like it should work.

Now when I went to attach the positive terminal to the battery. I get sparks and a motor/whirling noise comes from near the starter. Sounds like it's coming closer to the engine.

Have I totally screwed up?
Any input would be great.

 

Sorry if I've over simplified here but did you run the cable directly from the battery to the starter? From your post it sounds like you only replaced one cable.

 

I included a picture. The top, bright red cable on the top is the new battery cable. The faded red one at the bottom is the old cable. I cut it and taped it off. The green engine ground wire is behind the old cable and cannot be seen from the photo.

I did run the cable directly from the battery to the starter. I'm going to remove the rubber block completely. I think I'm going to just replace the end of the green wire with a round connector like the original post did.

After some more internet research, I believe I have a negative ground. It may be from the rubber block still being attached.

I'll let you know if it works this evening.

 

I assume you have removed the original cable from the engine already? If not, take a few minutes to review where they all go. In this pic you can see that the cable from the battery goes to the power distribution block, not the starter. If you go directly to the starter you have a complete electrical circuit, jumping all the ignition stuff so, as you stated, it will engage the starter as if you have turned the ignition key.

 

The General had a better idea!

My take on the whole corroded battery game is to convert to side terminal. I own 3 vehicles all purchased new: `91 S10, `97 Cherokee, `00 Tundra. The oldest has never had battery corrosion, either at the terminals or the clamp, the newer ones, both top terminal and top clamp, have constant corrosion problems.

I will be converting my Cherokee to side terminal when I next replace the battery. Converting to bottom clamp would be more difficult and will likely not happen.

 

First let me say that I did not replace the cable that runs from the battery to the PDC box. The short was in the other positive cable.

I put a ring connector on my green wire and reconnected it to the solenoid/starter.

I reconnected the battery with no sparks. I have power because all the dash lights and chime kick on, but now it won't turn over. No clicking or anything.

I'm afraid I killed the starter now.

My husband is going to love this.

 

great write up and pics, well done sir

 

Winter is upon us, so I am bumping this thread for any new beginners thinking of doing this to their new XJ. It's a good feeling to have a brand new battery, new cables, and perfect terminals to take on winter temperatures.

 

Thanks for the write up. Need to do this myself before going to NY in march.

 

Kind of resurrecting this but need some help...


Went to look/do mine and ran into a big issue. On wire 3, Mine don't look like yours. On the right bolt was a single connector.. 2 wires were on this one connector on that right bolt mentioned in the photos.


Any ideas what these were, where the ground is? It looks the same on the left bolt and all, just really lost.

 

See your other thread.