I have seen on the forum in pictures of engines (Andrew's for example) a red cover over the live battery post. What is this and what is it for?

 

Red signifies the universal color assigned to the positive terminal.
Black signifies the negative terminal.

The plastic red cover is just an aesthetic addition to give the engine compartment a clean appearance. while indicating the polarity ends of the battery.

it may also protect the terminal from water or chemical splash during an engine wash.

It is always good practice to inspect the terminal identifying the + (positive) and - (negative) sign by the raised symbols on the battery itself.

This cover is not an uncommon thing to find under the hood of any car. Some cars will have moulded plastic protectors. over the terminal itself.

I hope this clarifies your question.

 

So this was bought after market and added? Do you know where these can be purchased? I agree it does give the engine compartment more of a finished look.

 

It came with the car and original battery.. Because it is detachable it was probably removed and lost. .

You might check with the dealer to see if you can get replacements. My car is missing the negative (black) terminal cover.

 

I will ask. My car was a 2005 purchased new last November. It kind of annoys me that parts would be missing. Just out of curiosity how many other owners were missing these covers when they took delivery? Is there something that proves that these should be on the vehicle that I can take to the dealer?

 

My battery is a MOPAR 72 series battery....It has two holes on either end of the battery casing to accept the covers.

Check first to see if yours is the same battery, then contact the dealer.

It's amazing, the things you learn from this forum.

Good luck

 

Yes, the two holes are there and it is a Mopar 72. I am bothered that this is missing. Just another question, the owners manual says that this is maintinance free and never needs fluid. I hear forum members advising to check water level. Why the disconnect?

 

OK, I guess that all of the above apply, HOWEVER, the real purpose of
the red, non-conductive cover is to prevent accidental contact between this POSITIVE battery post ans any adjacent metal which would be GROUND. And, of course, the resulting sparks, burns and damage to personell and property.

Why does one suppose there is rarely a BLACK cover over the NEGATIVE post?

 

Can these covers be ordered?

 

THe Red cover is on the battery because mechanics have a tendancy to place tools on flat level surfaces. If you've ever placed a box wrench on the battery and it strikes the fender, your will do a little arc welding on your paint job. Not something dealerships like to pay for.

 

Can these terminal covers be ordered? How would I find the part number? Can the electrolyte be checked on the batteries through the individual plastic phillip screws?

 

I'm sure you can buy the covers from mercedes, and yes you have to do maintnance on the battery or else power will be low and the alarm will trip out a couple times a week due to voltage drop. I just filled mine up this morning, it sucked down a full pint of de-ionize Arrowhead

 

I had no luck locating these terminal covers online. I imagine they are made by interstate battery. If anyone wants to sell theirs (maybe have changed batteries) I would be interested. The individual battery cells have a large phillips shaped screw shape for turning. What do forum members use to turn this without stripping the plastic?

 

Use a flathead screwdriver that will fit into the slot on the phillips head.
Just be sure the water level is above the plates inside the battery.
Add only distilled water if needed. Generally you should not need to add water to the battery. I have had mine since April last year and have never needed to add water.

 

The battery in my Crossfire is a 74 amp hour VARTA by Daimler/Chrysler. I assume that it is the original battery.

It has the red cover over the positive battery post. The cover has two posts that snap into two holes in the top of the battery. Without the two holes in the battery it wouldn't work.

The Mercedes Part Number stamped on the cover is: A 001 546 08 35
The Mopar Part Number is: 05098850AA.

Check page 89 of the 443 pages in the link to a pdf.


http://app4.websitetonight.com/proje...merica.com.pdf

The battery also has holes for a negative post cover but it's not really necessary.

Hope that helps.

 

I use a quarter. only re-fill the electrolyte up to the middle or top of the narrow notch, don't go overboard

 

Thanks for considering my explanation. The Mechanic (idiot) placing tools on the battery consideration makes sense.
. A tool could easily ground the positve terminal to the body or the other battery terminal.....It's Interesting that safeguards replace common sense.

Your explanation that the cover prevents shorting to ground also explains why there is no negative cover. A cost accountant will save every penny he can.

if you prefer symmetry, and can purchase these covers, it would be wise to purchase two. With a good primer and black paint you can convert the red cover to black.(Do not place two red covers on the battery) Problems with paint adhering? Try urethane primer.

 

I Googled "Battery Post Covers" and found the following url;

http://www.solarseller.com/battery_t...protectors.htm

Good prices. (I have never used that site...)

 

The Chrysler parts catalog http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=214583&cha pter=&Sectionids=3,2413&groupid=2414&subgroupid=24 62&componentid=0&make=7&model=Crossfire&year=2005& graphicID=NV04095&callout=2&catalogid=2&displayCat alogid=0 shows a plastic plug at the battery terminal. Does anybody know what this plug is for and where it goes?

 

OK, ya' got me-I had to go and look!

I don't see the bleedin' thing!