electrical problem?

[mild_gst]

OK I don’t know where to start. WTF I believe I have an electrical problem. I replaced my battery last week because my car died on me. I was embarrassed to see how much corrosion the battery had. I brought new terminals but I didn’t have wire cutters so I only replaced the negative side terminal. I want/need to get a ground wire kit, where can I price some? I looked in the parts catalog but I didn’t find any links. I know HKS has one ($125) but I don’t know if that price is a bit high or average. I'm also going to get some new spark plugs (NGK) and wires (MSD), should replacing all this fix my idle from fluctuating? It does this most of the time but I'm wondering if it's doing this because of the ground wires (all I did was clean them off). I also had the battery and alternator tested and they were fine so…… what should I do? Yesterday as I warmed up my car, the stock temperature gauge fluctuated going up if that makes sense. It didn’t raise smoothly. Another problem I'm having is with the clutch, it has little pressure. Also my cruise control doesn't work anymore. Can all this be connected somehow?

 

[spyderturbo007]

I think you have a couple of little, unrelated, problems going on there. I would definately have the terminals taken care of, and you might even want to replace the positive wire running to the starter. You would be suprised at how much the corrosion can eat away the inside of a wire and you won't be able to see it. Don't ask me how I know this.

As for the temperature gauge, I wouldn't worry about it since the sensor that controls that gauge does nothing else, at all. As long as the gauge still works and the car doesn't overheat, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are concerned about the needle getting stuck you could always replace the mechanism in the cluster with one from a junkyard. Or maybe even get an aftermarket gauge.

Ok, on to the grounding kit......I would save my money and invest it in something else. If you are running a stock car, the factory ground will be fine. Maybe use that money to get an aftermarket gauge and get those terminals fixed.

There are a couple things that could be causing your clutch pedal problem, but there are 2 that are very easy to check. Most likely, your problem will either be the master or slave cylinder. The master is on the firewall, but it normally leaks under the dash inside the car. Check it out and if you see any fluid at all, replace it immediately. The slave cylinder is located under the car near the front. It's right above the crossmember.....I'll see if I can dig up a picture somewhere. It can be checked by pulling back the boot from the piston. Any fluid, at all, under the boot and it needs to be replaced.

As for the cruise control, I have no clue. Might want to check out a shop manual for testing procedures.

 

[mild_gst]

The master is on the firewall, but it normally leaks under the dash inside the car.

... I wish I knew this before because I have replaced the slave cylinder already. To replace the positive wire to the starter, do I have to get this from the dealer? I know I probably don't need a ground wire kit but I want to replaced them anyway... better safe than sorry. As for the temperture gauge, it worked fine this morning so
I will definately get the other terminal replaced, hopefully it helps.

 

[spyderturbo007]

To replace the positive wire to the starter, do I have to get this from the dealer?

Nope, most autoparts stores will make you battery cables if you ask. Or you can just pick up the correct ends and do it yourself. You will just need to measure the existing wire and tell them what type of connectors are on each end.

Or you can get if from the dealer, but they will problably rape you before even ordering the part.

 

[mitsu420at]

auto zone has them pr-mde for most vechiles and or just measure and cut a universal one

 

[mild_gst]

just measure and cut a universal one

That's what I was thinking, I guess I'll stop by autozone after work. Thanks for the help