Can a car with side-post battery terminals be converted to use a top-post battery terminal?

Question

My 1993 Buick Century (GM) has side post battery terminals that are a nuisance to deal with, especially since I often have to connect/disconnect them for various electrical reasons. Would it be possible to cut off the side-post end connectors on the main wiring harness and convert them to run a top-post battery terminal connector? I would then get a top-post battery terminal instead of a side-post one.

Answer 1

Side Post Battery Terminals

Answer 2

Sure, you can do as you say but the screw on connectors can cause as many headaches as the sideposts do. Cutting the cable allows moisture intrusion which leads to corrosion in the cable. You can seal them up some to aid. I also solder the cable ends when I use those. Also buy the expensive terminals, not the dollar ones. They break if you look at them!



Sideposts are fine if you don't try and overtighten the bolts, or use a pair of pliers and round the head! But if you MUST have a top post, be sure there are no height problems, and change the entire cables would be best, although just doing as you asked will work well too.

Answer 3

Sure anything can be done and if done right will help to prevent "Headaches" later on. Side battery terminals are a fad that came and went--almost. Some car manufacturers are still installing them, but most have gone back to the post terminals on the top of the battery. Side terminals are hard to manipulate and the bolts that hold them on are tiny with threads that are easily stripped. You can convert your side terminals to post terminals, so follow the steps below in the link and your side terminal blues will be over.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2125662_convert-side-mount-battery-terminals.html



Walmart sells it:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/34852812?wmlspartner=wmtlabs



At youtube.com there are plenty video clips will show you how. These are two of the clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXMGy9iX-s8



https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+Change+your+Car+Battery+Terminal+Connectors

Answer 4

Yes, they make adaptors that screw into the battery posts. They sell them at Autozone for like $5.

Answer 5

yes, it is possible