Battery terminal fully broke?

2017 NISSAN VERSA
AUTOMATIC
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JULIANPEREZ01
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had some corrosion on battery terminals that was preventing AutoZone from replacing my battery, so I sprayed corrosion cleaner. I then attempted to unscrew one of my terminals, but due to years of corrosion, it fully broke. My car would no longer start after that. I am now attempting to change my battery terminal. I purchased a battery terminal replacement from autozone and made sure it was compatible with my vehicle. I then removed the old broken terminal and installed the new one, but after attempting to tighten it, it remained loose. The AutoZone site said that this is a positive battery terminal, but the employee that helped me said they were interchangeable. I am not sure what I am doing wrong when installing this new terminal.
Sep 20, 2026 at 1:39 PM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

First confirm the battery's positive and negative markings and have the replacement terminal checked against the correct cable, battery-post type and vehicle application. A terminal that remains loose after proper seating and tightening is not a satisfactory connection. Do not keep tightening it, hammer it onto the post, or use an improvised shim to compensate for the wrong part. With the ignition off, use eye protection, remove jewelry and keep sparks and tools bridging the positive post to body metal away from the battery. Follow the vehicle procedure; when both cables are removed, negative comes off first and reconnects last. If the post is damaged, the case leaks, or the connection is hot, stop and have it serviced. Inspect the cable end for corrosion extending under the insulation and preserve any original fuse or battery-monitoring components. Fit the correctly matched terminal or cable assembly, then confirm that the connection is secure. If starting is still poor, test the battery and check cable voltage drop during cranking. Because the no-start followed a visibly broken connection, restoring that connection correctly is the logical first repair before assuming a starter or other component has failed.

Guidance references and applicability

Interstate Batteries battery replacement and safety guidance: https://costco.interstatebatteries.com/faqs General reference for protective equipment, ignition-source precautions, cable disconnection and reconnection order, and avoiding excessive tightening. Vehicle-specific procedures still apply. Nissan official parts catalog, 2017 Versa battery and related components: https://parts.nissanusa.com/v-2017-nissan-versa--1-6-s--1-6l-l4-gas/electrical--battery-and-related-components Reference for vehicle-specific battery connections and cable assemblies. This selected trim is not proof of the owner's exact fitment; confirm by VIN and installed battery before ordering.

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AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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MECHTRIX
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 549 POSTS
Poset7ve and negative are 2 different sizes..not usually interchangeable also usually different colors red and black of coarse.. there are a few strap types the can be made to fit but its always best to get the proper one anyway so there's less problems in the future ...goid luck hope this helps .
Sep 20, 2026 at 1:49 PM
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MECHTRIX
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 549 POSTS
The positive post (at its base) is bigger about 17.5 mm

And the ground (at its base ) is usually smaller around 16mm.

This might help when you go to get another one ..good luck
Sep 20, 2026 at 2:43 PM
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JULIANPEREZ01
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Could I use a battery terminal shim to make it work? For some reason, the negative terminal is significantly more expensive, and it's cheaper to just to buy the shim, even if I return the old one.
Sep 20, 2026 at 7:25 PM
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MECHTRIX
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 549 POSTS
Yeah you can use ashim but should Only be a copper shim though .
Sep 20, 2026 at 10:29 PM
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Discussion summary

Battery terminal fully broke?

The owner reported that a heavily corroded battery terminal broke during removal and the car then would not start. A replacement terminal remained loose after tightening. The owner said it was sold as a positive terminal and later asked about using a shim on the negative connection. Replies discussed different terminal sizes and suggested a shim, but no secure connection or restored starting was reported.

Reported outcome: No successful terminal repair or restored starting was reported.

The battery-post condition, replacement terminal part number and extent of cable corrosion were not shown. The suggestion to use a copper shim has not been verified for this assembly. The broken connection is an evident problem, but additional battery or cable damage has not been ruled out.

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AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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