[kly5953]

Not exactly a toy, but I have a chevy cruze 2014 with the 1.4 turbo, and the other day all the electric items started giving me codes here and there. Checked the battery terminal and the corrosion was so by far the worst I have ever seen. Almost the size of a racquetball. Makes sense that it wouldn't remote start properly and everytime it started the info center would tell me to service something. Once the power steering, once the alternator, once the traction control, etc.
I'm guessing the battery is just toast and leaking, i'm outside of my bumper to bumper, so I am trying to find a good quality battery that won't break the bank. I'm a college student so $4 goes a long way, if I can save it. 12v bottery is needed, should CCA and marine grade options interest me or what should i really look for?
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ronjenx]

The battery may not be toast.

Disconnect the battery leads, negative first, and clean the terminals and posts with a battery terminal brush.
Then, clean the top of the battery with a rag, wet with a water/baking soda mixture. Do this until the cleaning no longer causes bubbling.

Reconnect the battery leads, negative last, and see if things improve.
Take the vehicle to an auto parts store to have the battery and charging system checked. Some places will do it for free.

Wear at least eye protection in case you cause a spark. A face shield would be better.

 

[kly5953]

thanks, I had it tested this morning and it's fine.
The corrosion was so bad I had to soak the positive lead in coke for a short period to remove it. Looks like nice and shiny new copper now haha.
I'll plug it all back up tonight and see if things get better. I really don't want to pay 120 for a new battery.

 

[ronjenx]

Baking soda and water is the best thing for cleaning lead-acid batteries. It neutralizes the acid, and when you get no more foaming, the acid is gone.
Use it on the top of the battery. Acid residue can create an electrical path between the posts.