I had to give someone at work a jump start the other night because it was -29 C when I came out of work and when I tried to lift the clip that holds the cap on the (+) battery terminal the whole cap snapped in half because of the cold. Is it important that it be there? I noticed there is more that just a wire and a clamp attached (like on the (-) side, which was what the cap seemed to be covering. I'm probably being paranoid but I just need to know if I should go get a new one or just leave it for now.

 

i think its just a cover i dont have mine on anymore

 

ok, I won't worry about it then...

 

It's just a cover, it keeps all those wires from touching metal and shorting something out. You could wrap the cluster of connections with electrical tape just to make sure, but it's probably pretty stable where it is on the battery. I had to wrap it in electrical tape because when I moved the battery it left that whole cluster exposed and dangling around in the engine bay.

 

I wonder how much a dealer would rip me off for a new one??

 

heh i cut a slot in mine so i could run 2 power wires(speaker wire) inside to my neons

 

The purpose is to prevent shorts that can lead to a fire. Since the terminal itself is not fused there is nothing to limit current and it could theoretically make your battery explode from the heat and the like..

You can just cover it completely with any non-conductive rubber, or just cover it in electrical tape.

 

Well, I won't have to worry too much about excessive heat around here for a while, even with the engine running.. It won't be getting near 0 C for a couple weeks.

 

Actually, looking at it now, it only broke in 2 pieces, I think I might be able to tape it together and somehow secure it on...

 

Anyone willing to sell thiers?