The Cable Guy (Battery Cables and Maintenance)
July 4, 2021
If you've ever noticed your vehicle's lights are dim or not working at all, the problem could be many things. But one possibility is your battery cables aren't doing their job. A power outage in your vehicle is similar to one in your house and needs to be repaired to get things back to normal.
Battery cables connect your vehicle's battery to the vehicle itself. There is a positive cable when provides the power and a negative cable that connects to the vehicle chassis and provides a ground for electrical components.
A failing battery cable may cause your vehicle not to start. Your starter may turn over very slowly. Or you may just hear a series of clicks. One other clue is on your dash—the battery warning light.
There are many things that can cause power issues in a vehicle, but it's important to keep battery cables clean and maintained. Salt and corrosion are enemies to any power system. A technician can keep things in top shape, disconnecting the cables, inspecting them and cleaning their ends and the battery terminals. Cables, by the way, are often made up of smaller strands of wire. If they are frayed, some of those smaller wires can touch metal parts of the vehicles that they shouldn't. The result? Electrical system malfunctions.
So if you see any of these signs that something is not quite right with the power in your vehicle, consult your service advisor and get it checked out. Feel the power!
Charlie's Fast Lube Perryville
701 S. Perryville Ave
Perryville, Missouri 63775
575-517-0022
http://www.charliesfastlubeperryville.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Perryville

Muffler: Victim of Winter (Muffler Repair)
June 29, 2025
So you almost got through the winter until, one day, your muffler started sounding like a dragster, loud and obnoxious. It's not surprising. All that road salt and brine can cause rust to punch holes in a muffler, and that should raise a big, red warning flag about the safety of your vehicle. O... More

More than Pads and Rotors (Brake Caliper Replacement)
June 23, 2025
You might be familiar with brake pads and rotors, two components of your vehicle's brakes that have to be regularly serviced. Here's another important component of your brakes: the calipers. Calipers are used in disc brakes, the type of brakes now found in most recently manufactured vehicles. A... More

Alleviate the Creaks and Squeaks (Chassis Lubrication)
June 16, 2025
If your vehicle creaks and squeaks when you drive down the road, it may mean that some of the metal parts are rubbing against each other and need to be lubricated. Those could be parts of the suspension, steering system and the drivetrain. Years ago, most vehicles had to have their chassis (wha... More