Tuesday, November 19, 2013
What Happens When You Get a Bad Battery Terminal
A bad terminal connection can cause the battery to not work. It is definitely worth the effort to check the terminals because it is easier and less expensive to replace the connectors and clean the terminal posts than to buy a new battery.
Failed Electricity
A defective terminal connection prevents the battery from providing electricity to your car, which may result in electrical systems working poorly or not at all. The lights may become dim and the starter may not be able to start the engine.
Corrosion
A bad battery terminal can cause a build-up of a powder-like substance around the post of the battery terminal. This corrosion can cause a batterys poor connection. You can disconnect the battery cables, negative then positive, and scrub the terminal posts and connectors with a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the corrosion.
Poor Charging
If malfunctioning terminals are preventing a good connection to the battery, the alternator will not be able to properly recharge the battery. This could cause the battery to appear dead.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
What Happens When CV Joints Fail
CV joints, or constant velocity joints, help keep all of a cars wheels rolling at the same speed while also helping the suspension adjust to vertical movements. While most CV joints last for many years, a failed CV joint may require replacing an entire drive shaft, according to Samarins, a website useful to people in the used-car market.
Structure
A CV joint consists of a ball-and-socket joint with metal bearings packed in grease and surrounded by a protective rubber boot, according to 2 Car Pros. Each drive shaft includes inner and outer CV joints attached to each end of the shaft. Failure of either joint can lead to serious problems.
Damage
A CV joint becomes vulnerable to failure when the rubber CV boot covering the joint develops a tear. The torn CV boot allows grease to leak out from the bearings in the joint while also allowing grit to enter. Eventually the corroded joint breaks, ruining the entire drive shaft.
Trouble Signs
Diagnosing a CV joint problem early can help prevent total failure of the CV joint. Drivers who hear a clicking or knocking noise when the car makes sharp turns may have a CV boot problem. Replacing the boot and repacking the grease before failure occurs can fix the problem.
