Hey all,

I was driving today when I got the battery light and "Check charging system" warning. I got home and popped the hood. First I checked the voltages and seemed fine both off and running. The light had gone off by this point. No codes. Then I noticed a black melted spot where the nut for the alternator connection to the positive battery terminal is. The nut was very corroded. I took the nut off, sanded it down, sanded the alternator connector spade, and the bolt, and removed all the corrosion at the connection points. Am I good to put it back or should I replace any of these parts. Here are some pictures of before and after.

 

Should be good. I'd coat the terminals in dielectric grease.

 

Im a little confused on dielectric grease. Its anti corrosion but doesnt conduct electricity? So specifically, where you think I should apply it and NOT apply it?

 

That's correct, it's anti-corrosion protection, and it doesn't conduct electricity. You can use it on any electrical connector that's tight. The alternator ones themselves are good, as are the spark plug boots.

Here's a helpful thread... Not sure who wrote it...
https://themustangsource.com/forums/...4/#post6917899

Specifically, the slathering is thus: Put a battery washer on that post. Apply a schmear of the dielectric grease on it. Then apply another spread on the bottom of the clean terminal. The apply the terminal. Then slather the whole terminal with the dielectric grease. Don't make it pretty, make it thorough. Don't wipe it off. No it won't look pretty. Yes, it'll do a fantastic job at preventing problems with your terminals. I'd suggest this in any weather conditions, to be honest, because those terminals just love to do that corrosion because the tops of the batteries get dirty, and then the electricity flows between the posts via the dirt. Among other reasons.

Hope that helps!

 

I went out this morning, gave everything another going over with steel wool and sand paper. I put it back together with some dielectric grease. I started it up and no light or message. I let it run a while and the rubber boot was not warm at all where it was melted before. I am also measuring about 14.4 volts when running now when last night I was around 13.5. I am hopeful!

 

 

I had the same thing last year minus the burned boot you should be fine.

 

Thanks all for the feedback!

 

Side note always check voltage at 2k rpms as well as at idle. I have seen when it checks out fine at idle but not at cruising speed and or weak at higher rpms

 

I will do that when I can get my wife to help me. Thanks!