battery terminal cover missing, how important is it?
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battery terminal cover missing, how important is it?
My car had the OEM battery and it failed a battery test earlier this year. I decided today to replace it since it's old (almost 5 years) and I don't want to risk a battery failure later. I opened the hood this morning to look at the battery before going to the store and noticed two terminal covers (one black and the other with a red plus sign on it).
I went to the store and they offered to install the battery for free so I let them. I drove home and later opened the hood again to make sure they did a good job. And I noticed that the red plus sign terminal cover is missing (the black negative terminal one is still there).
I'm wondering how important is the cover? I've seen cars without it so I'm assuming it's not a critical piece. Is the main disadvantage just looks? (doesn't look good with the raw terminal exposed) or is there any significant practical benefit?
EDIT: I did some research and it seems I'm missing the one that is more important (positive terminal cover). I'm upset how sloppy they are, is it really that hard to just put the cover back on? And they should already know how important the positive cover is. I'm going to call tomorrow and ask if they still have it, but I'm not hopeful. If they don't have it, where can I find a replacement? Or can I just use the negative cover on the positive? (anyone know if it fits correctly?)
I went to the store and they offered to install the battery for free so I let them. I drove home and later opened the hood again to make sure they did a good job. And I noticed that the red plus sign terminal cover is missing (the black negative terminal one is still there).
I'm wondering how important is the cover? I've seen cars without it so I'm assuming it's not a critical piece. Is the main disadvantage just looks? (doesn't look good with the raw terminal exposed) or is there any significant practical benefit?
EDIT: I did some research and it seems I'm missing the one that is more important (positive terminal cover). I'm upset how sloppy they are, is it really that hard to just put the cover back on? And they should already know how important the positive cover is. I'm going to call tomorrow and ask if they still have it, but I'm not hopeful. If they don't have it, where can I find a replacement? Or can I just use the negative cover on the positive? (anyone know if it fits correctly?)
Last edited by flipflop; 08-24-14 at 09:35 PM.
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Thank you for your reply! I went to check again with a flashlight and found the positive terminal cover off and down to the side. The plastic is black so I didn't notice in the garage lighting. The cover is now back on. I think I know why it came off. The cover is loose if it's just placed on the terminal, it has to be pressed a few times to snap back in.
#6
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IMHO, if it wasn't important, Lexus and all other manufacturer's wouldn't spend the money for the terminal cover. It's purely a safety measure. It someone's working under the hood and accidentally touches both the positive and negative terminals at the same time, of if something flies off under the hood and touches the two terminals - Not Good!
Checking for a good job after you get home is like locking the barn door after the cow has escaped.
Lou
Checking for a good job after you get home is like locking the barn door after the cow has escaped.
Lou
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