Corroded battery terminal
 

My 2004 Tundra has been struggling to start a bit lately and I thought maybe it was due for a new battery. I opened the hood and the negative battery terminal is covered in acid corrosion - it literally has fur. I had the battery tested and it's still got 83% of its juice, so apparently that's not the issue.

My question is what should I do? Can I just clean off the corrosion or will the terminal fall to pieces if I do that? I obviously should get the terminal replaced eventually, but I'm curious if there is any rush.

I doubt the terminal has any significant damage. Clean it up, put a little grease on it, and call it a day.

Use an angle grinder for safety. ;)

If the corrosion got under the cable insulation, you will need to remove an inch or two of the cable, and put on a new terminal.

Then grease up the new stuff.

edit: you probably do need to cut back the cable, the corroision in the wire slows down the electron flow. Good chance this is why you are cranking poorly.

IN most cases, remove the terminal from the battery, clean with baking soda and water. The use a terminal cleaner (wire brush thing from the auto parts store), grease up and reconnect. And all will be fine.

If the cable feels REAL limp at the end, think about replacing it.