I stopped at McDonalds the other day, and when I went to leave I turned the key and - nothing. I had dome light and radio etc. but no crank.

I popped the hood and was surprised to find the negative battery terminal loose on the post. I have had this 2000 Taco for less than a year and hadn't touched the battery for anything.

What I was even more surprised to find though was that when the bolt on the terminal was tightened as much as possible, the terminal was still loose. It's as if the terminal is too big or the post is too small. To get going I turned the terminal upside down which allowed it to 'bite' into the post for a good connection.

Later when I looked at it I find I can't understand what's really wrong. Here is what it looks like:




(Above: The bolt is tight but you can rotate the terminal on the post with your hand)

I removed the little plastic 'doober' which has a pretty thick spacer in it. After doing so, I was able to tighten it completely for a good connection:


(Above: Plastic piece removed and clamp is tight)

Is that plastic piece factory? Or is it something that somebody added?

 

Maybe the terminal had been stretched from overtightening. Maybe the post was undersized from the factory or had been corroded badly and after cleaning it is smaller. Now that you have a tight fit I'd spray it will some battery post sealer or smear some dielectric grease on it to protect it. Unless that's an AGM battery, then just leave it.

 

Take the bolt out and place the cable end on the outside of clamp next too the bolt head that will let tighten it the thickness of the cable end.

 

Buy some terminal cleaner. Sprays on....hoses off all corrosion and acid build up on the battery and terminals.
Kennybs

 

Both are possible, yes. But that plastic (anti-corrosion I think) addition is what prevents the terminal from being able to close properly.

 

I can't picture what you're saying. Are you saying to turn the bolt around?