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Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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CaptMorgan72
Novice
Jan 5, 2013, 3:02 PM
Post #1 of 30
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Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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So my battery died on me, or so I think. I turn the key and get absolutely nothing, so that tells me battery. Removing a battery from a 1999 Dodge Stratus is a pain in the ass. You have to go through the wheel well on the driver side, which requires taking the tire off. Anyway, I remove the battery and go to to AutoZone and get the Duralast 75-DLG battery. I go back home and slide the battery in and reattach the terminals but they don't tighten up. They just keep spinning. So I'm thinking maybe they don't tighten all the way, and I want to be careful not to strip them. I try to start the car and its still dead. I attempt to tighten the terminals again but again they just spin. So now I am thinking the threads might be stripped. Then I have a really tough time getting the negative terminal off, it was very rusty and almost round. I had to use vice grips to remove it. So now, I am not sure what to do next. Any suggestions?
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Sidom
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Jan 5, 2013, 3:44 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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I'm not really sure what went wrong there but the terminal bolts should tighten up...It is possible to strip those but then you would be using unreasonable force or too big of tool.. It's more common to crossthead those and that will cause it to strip out a lot easier.....
You're going to have to pull the battey out & look at the threads....If you damaged them, then there really isn't much you can do......other than get another battery and be a little more careful on the install....
The cable end bolts are replaceable and from the sounds of it, you should replace both of them, also make sure the cable ends themselves are clean, you may have to take a wire brush to them but if they are corroded, you can't just bolt them back up, it won't work....
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2013, 5:31 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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This is a side post battery that you are trying to put into a Chrysler that uses a top post.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Jan 5, 2013, 6:03 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Some Mopars have started using side terminals............Why is anyones guess...I never liked them in GMs....total pita...
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 5, 2013, 8:45 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Most of the time the bolt is what actually strips out and not the post of the battery as Sid was pointing out. At least that is how it is on GMs. Still can't understand how a lead post strips the threads off a steel bolt.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 5, 2013, 8:57 PM)
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Jan 6, 2013, 9:28 AM
Post #6 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Could the bolt be rusted so bad there's not enough material to tighten up? Doubt it but just a thought.
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CaptMorgan72
Novice
Jan 6, 2013, 4:29 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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I bought new cable end bolts and before I put them on, I made sure they would screw all the way into the battery and would tighten up. They did, so I took out the old ones and put in the new. I used a 5/16 socket wrench and started to tighten them, they wouldn't tighten just spin as before. I then used a 5/16 wrench instead, in case the socket wrench for whatever reason was the problem. Still wouldn't tighten. The car of course wouldn't start, dead as a door nail. So I reasoned the bolts might not be seated right on the cable and the threads are not biting. I attempted to take the bolts off the battery and reseat them on the cable but the bolts just spin and will not come out, despite them clearly turning. I am now beyond frustrated and have no clue what is going on. I guess this is why I bring my car to the mechanic for every little thing. I just have no luck with even the simplest repairs. Unfortunately I am currently unemployed and don't have the funds for a mechanic. I really appreciate you guys trying to help.
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CaptMorgan72
Novice
Jan 6, 2013, 4:38 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Hey guys is it possible that my starter is dead and not the battery? When I turn the key I get absolutely nothing, no sounds or anything. My dashlights come on but no sound at all. Am I trying to fix the wrong thing? I know as much about car maintenance as I do rocket science, but it was just something I read on another discussion board.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:40 PM
Post #9 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Are those bolts thru the cable ends enough to grab threads in the battery. Some side post cable ends are going to use a hard rubber cover that you have to fight with.
Yes you can cross those bolts up and must know they are aiming directly where they need to or you could strip out the battery.
Can you take this back out and just try a plain battery bolt in it off car for a test? I think I would about now with this much trouble. If this battery is now messed up with the threaded holes this could be trouble,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:48 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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You posted before your second question was in sight. If you can't hook up the battery then there's no point in worrying about the starter right now. Those bolts if exactly like the GM ones should stick in those cable ends with rubber and not just fall out if loose. I think you just haven't gotten them started in the battery yet,
T
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CaptMorgan72
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:48 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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That is exactly what I was thinking Tom, that the hard rubber cover on the cable is preventing the bolts from tightening up. I tested the new battery bolts with the battery to be sure they do tighten up and they did, before I put the bolts on the cable ends. Now I can't get the bolts out of the battery. They just spin and spin without coming out. This makes no sense to me at all. If I am turning them with a wrench to loosen them, why are they not coming out? At AutoZone the guy did ask me if I needed the longer battery bolts and I told him no. The battery bolts I bought are the same size as the original ones. If I can somehow manage to get the bolts out, do you recommend that I get the longer battery bolts?
(This post was edited by CaptMorgan72 on Jan 6, 2013, 4:52 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:53 PM
Post #12 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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I think they are just stuck as intended in cable ends but not in far enough. You do need to pry them out many times to clean or replace things up,
T
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CaptMorgan72
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:57 PM
Post #13 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Any ideas why the bolts are not coming out of the battery when I am loosening them with the wrench? I know it sounds stupid but they are spinning when I turn the wrench, so why are they not coming out?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 4:59 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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The rubber end is not preventing it from tightening. It is cutout in the contact area but if you overtightened them, the lead will come loose in the moulding, spin inside and break the contact which will give you no battery at all. Be VERY CAREFUL now because if the contact is broken inside and suddenly creates a spark inside, the battery can blow up so i suggest you get a professional to check it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 5:02 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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You may need to pry with some pressure while turning the bolts. Just watch out for tools hitting anything metal. Best to always remove negative first and back on last to prevent a dead short with a tool on positive cable. Keep at it - T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 5:12 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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No Tom. That's not what I'm saying. If that terminal has spun and broken the connection internally and it happens to arc internally, it will explode so don't mess with it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 5:25 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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No argument. Batteries can be plain dangerous. I still don't fully understand why just hooking up cable has gone all wrong. If the battery itself is spinning the connectors this is in trouble. I think I'd cut the cables and get that one the heck out of there, -- T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 5:29 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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If the lead slug has spun, it's really dangerous. It would also explain why he has no voltage.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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CaptMorgan72
Novice
Jan 6, 2013, 5:42 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Just got off the phone with my cousin who works on cars all the time. His reasoning I think is parallel with Hammer Time. My cousin suspects that the thread housing weld is broken and that is why the bolt is spinning. At least that is what I think he was saying to me. Hes stopping by tomorrow to take a look at it. Now I am afraid to mess with it at all. Jesus, I never would have imagined that switching out a battery would be so difficult and problematic.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 5:54 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Be careful! If area smells a bit like sulfter or rotten eggs do go near it. I'm really not sure the safest approach to this happening and how to make it safe to just get it heck out of there, -- T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 6, 2013, 6:34 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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If the broken point on the inside sparks in any way, it will cause the acid to explode the battery so I would do no more than take a voltage reading without disturbing anything. If you get a 0 reading on the battery, then it's broken internally.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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CaptMorgan72
Novice
Jan 7, 2013, 5:14 PM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Ok, so my cousin came over an hour ago. I showed him how the bolts just spin and will not come out. I at this point am convinced we are dealing with a hydrochloric acid bomb waiting to go off. I don't really want to do anything but tow it to the mechanic. He took a screwdriver and wedged it behind the bolt and went to town with the socket wrench. After a bit he managed to get both bolts out. I took the battery out and tried to hand screw the bolts into the battery to see if they would get snug and if I could take them out again. On the positive side the bolt does get snug and comes out easily. On the negative side the bolt stops about half way. I took the bolt out with no problems and looked with a flashlight at the threads in the negative side on the battery and there is a tiny piece of missing thread in the middle of the thread sleeve. The thread sleeve looks like its made of tinfoil, looks very brittle. So it was either broken when my cousin used force to get the bolts out, or I did that when I tried to screw them in initially. So I am taking the battery back tomorrow to AutoZone and telling them I couldn't get the bolts to screw snugly in the side posts. I assume they will tell me that I cross threaded/damaged the threads and will have to eat the cost. I probably will just go to Walmart and look for a cheaper battery, $117 seems to high to me and I don't want to have to pay it again. This time however, I think I will have someone else install the battery.
(This post was edited by CaptMorgan72 on Jan 7, 2013, 5:16 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2013, 8:07 PM
Post #23 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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and that is why we call them Durashats...
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2013, 2:00 AM
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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Think hard about WallyWorld batteries. The highest initial failure rate I can think of so no bargain there. It's not a good place to save a buck on a car. Favs have been and could change are NAPA and Interstate. Several Sears DieHards have been excellent but wonder how they have been handled sometimes along the way.
Agree it may be best to have it installed for you and I would suggest it be charged before initial use or start up. They frequently need a charge right away. You should also know the date it was made marked on the battery or encrypted code but it is known where you get it if not plain to see. The newer the better. Some can be a year old when you get them!
T
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Jan 8, 2013, 7:13 AM
Post #25 of 30
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Re: Can't install Duralast 75-DLG in my Stratus
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I'd take it back to Auto Zone. That battery might've been screwed up from the get go. I once bought a screwed up battery from one of the main parts stores. This time just let them install. They install batteries for free if you buy them there.
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