P38A Replacing Negative Battery Cable

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Jake Hewitt

Active Member
Posts
147
Location
Chichester
Afternoon all. I have just replaced the negative cable as the connector wouldn't tighten, and the cable was too short to cut and attach a new one.

I suspected the cable I got from Halfrauds may not be up to the task as its about half, maybe two thirds as thick as the original.

On trying to start the car, she won't do anything, a vague beep on turning of the key.

Is this going to be the cable not being heavy enough?

Suggestions for a replacement cable?

Thanks all,

Jake
 
Afternoon all. I have just replaced the negative cable as the connector wouldn't tighten, and the cable was too short to cut and attach a new one.

I suspected the cable I got from Halfrauds may not be up to the task as its about half, maybe two thirds as thick as the original.

On trying to start the car, she won't do anything, a vague beep on turning of the key.

Is this going to be the cable not being heavy enough?

Suggestions for a replacement cable?

Thanks all,

Jake
Might be a tad more expensive than Halfrauds. https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-YTB101550
 
I'd have thought plumes of smoke would be the symptom is the cable isn't thick enough. Did you rub all rust away for a good connection?

Back to basics: what's the battery like? If it had a bad connection it might not have been charging.
 
I'd have thought plumes of smoke would be the symptom is the cable isn't thick enough. Did you rub all rust away for a good connection?

Back to basics: what's the battery like? If it had a bad connection it might not have been charging.

No plumes of smoke, I'll pull the ground off the body and give that a good rub down. See what happens.

Battery is good, it's been charging just fine since I put a new alternator on it a year or two ago.

The terminal was so loose that it would just pull right off, I figured I better do something about that.

Was very handy for all the work the car always needs though...
 
But it is the correct one for your car.;)
Yes it is!

On closer inspection, the original splits in front of the fuse box, and it looks like it's earthed there too.

I thought it was just routed that way, I'm guessing that is an important part to miss out..
 
Yes it is!

On closer inspection, the original splits in front of the fuse box, and it looks like it's earthed there too.

I thought it was just routed that way, I'm guessing that is an important part to miss out..

If it's not earthed to the chassis (inner wing) nothing will work.
 
There we go then! Will correct tomorrow, thanks.

As an aside, when I got back to the car yesterday, it had a little residual air in the bags, then dropped further.

Tried to give it 15- 20 minutes to fill up the tank and then adjust the height, but it wasn't moving an inch.

The compressor (new two years ago) is running but sounds a little strange, rattly perhaps? Is this a sign that internal seals need to be renewed?

I have new front bags and new rear ones coming tomorrow, but it'll be useless if I can't put any air in them!

Thanks @wammers
 
No plumes of smoke, I'll pull the ground off the body and give that a good rub down. See what happens.

Battery is good, it's been charging just fine since I put a new alternator on it a year or two ago.

The terminal was so loose that it would just pull right off, I figured I better do something about that.

Was very handy for all the work the car always needs though...
If the terminal was that loose, I doubt the battery has been fully charging.
 
There we go then! Will correct tomorrow, thanks.

As an aside, when I got back to the car yesterday, it had a little residual air in the bags, then dropped further.

Tried to give it 15- 20 minutes to fill up the tank and then adjust the height, but it wasn't moving an inch.

The compressor (new two years ago) is running but sounds a little strange, rattly perhaps? Is this a sign that internal seals need to be renewed?

I have new front bags and new rear ones coming tomorrow, but it'll be useless if I can't put any air in them!

Thanks @wammers

Look at my post in the tech archive to test compressor output and various other things.
 
Look at my post in the tech archive to test compressor output and various other things.
Thanks again @wammers

All fixed now on the cable side of things, made up two separate cables rather than the factory spliced original.

No more time left to investigate suspension this trip, but I've a rebuild kit for it coming just in case and four new bag waiting to go on, so plenty to do!
 
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