How to change battery?

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 4:02 pm

Hey, I've changed the battery in my Honda Civic which was a simple process. Trying to change my 92 MX5 Battery, purchased a federal one, problem is I've got 3 terminal cables? A gold one with a + on it and 2 silver ones (+ and -). I've also got a ground cable which I found under the trunk carpet (terminal is just a circle). Appreciate any help!

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 4:10 pm

Here are some pictures to help:

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu May 29, 2014 5:58 pm

Hi,
Do you recall the way that the battery was connected before you removed it? because the images show what could easily be considered a mess. You need to ascertain what the wiring does, ie; is/was there an auxiliary amp or anything else that would require this sort of connection. Can you be sure that the red cable shown is a 'Ground cable ' because if the job had been done properly it should have been Black or Brown.
Greg.
Let us know where you are, there may be someone close by that can help you, in the meantime, if you are not sure, DO NOT CONNECT ANYTHING a wire fire can go unnoticed.

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:13 pm

Hey thanks for the reply, I have not yet connected anything as I wanted to be certain. I just purchased this car so I'm not entirely aware about the ground cable, the gold + terminal was connected to the + terminal on the battery and the - silver terminal on the -. The silver + cable was wrapped in some electrical tape, unused.

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:15 pm

The red circle cable (which I assumed was ground) was just tucked under the trunk carpet.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:20 pm

And the other cables?

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:22 pm

The other cables were as described above (after your first post)

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:33 pm

We must have typed over each other, get some quality electrical tape and insulate the cable that is already wrapped up as well as the Red cable with the round connector on it and then attach the other cables as they were. If everything is as it was you should not have any problems.
When you have time have someone look at it to ensure that everything is safe.
Greg.

James · Postby **James** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:36 pm

That's not normal.

Black/yellow looks like OEM chassis ground; you can follow this and find it bolted to the chassis.
One of the +ve leads will go to the fuze box.

The other two you will have to follow.

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:38 pm

Really appreciate it Greg, will do that, I just purchased some $1 electrical tape from SuperCheap Auto, I'm assuming that will be fine [Car noobie

? I also plan on getting the car serviced soon so I will ask them to have a look at the battery connections.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:45 pm

Let us know where you are, there are some very clever people in here.

fruitless · Postby **fruitless** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:46 pm

I'm in Calamvale, QLD 4116. Willing to compensate anyone who can come help!

James · Postby **James** » Thu May 29, 2014 6:51 pm

Bit too far for me. :lol:

Sorry mate.

Grab a cheap multi-meter; fantastic for trouble shooting anything electrical.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Thu May 29, 2014 7:12 pm

Have you considered joining the MX-5 Club? Link http://www.miata.net.au/
Greg.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu May 29, 2014 9:43 pm

you do not need to join a club to have a car sorted out. Battery cables simply attach to either plus or minus on the battery. Why there are 3 terminals is very strange but no battery has 3 posts. When you change a battery the best way is get it done where you buy it or make sure you know how it was connected in the first place. The red wire with ring terminal is almost certainly a power lead to attach to ?? If it was not being used just tape it as Taminga said. The other thing to do is join your State road service- the guys you call when the car is broken down. And you can also go down to the local auto elect with a photo and ask them for some quick advice if you have not worked it out.