How to Check Battery Cables for Corrosion and Tightness in a Chevy Silverado

The Silverado is one of the toughest trucks on the road, but it is still susceptible to the problems of any vehicle. To keep your Silverado running like it should, check the battery cables for corrosion and tightness once a month.

Instructions

1

Turn off the engine. Lift the hood of your Silverado to check the battery cables for corrosion and tightness.

2

Look at the battery for signs of corrosion. This usually shows up as a white or yellow powder on or around the battery and its cables. Mix up baking soda with water until you have a cloudy substance, and pour it over the battery and cables to remove corrosion. The powder will bubble and turn brown as the baking soda reacts with the corrosion.

3

Wash away the baking soda residue with plain water. You can also dry the cables and the battery on your Silverado with a dry towel.

4

Check the battery cables for corrosion by bending them slightly. If you feel a crunching sensation, there is probably some corrosion under the plastic around the copper wires.

5

Cut a vertical slit in the plastic around the wiring with a razor. Look inside the plastic for white or yellow powder or a green discoloration on the copper wires. Both of these are signs of corrosion. If they are corroded, they should be replaced.

6

Test the tightness of the battery cables on your Silverado by grasping the ports with your hands. If they move or jiggle at all, they should be tightened. Tighten the ports for the battery cables with a wrench. Grasp the ports with a wrench and turn slowly to the right. Try to loosen them again with your hand to make sure they are secure.