Try sanding terminal...then wrap copper wire around and around terminal then tighten clamp

Wire will bite into both the terminal and clamp....good luck

This is not a "minor" problem. If battery is disconnected while the car is moving, the voltage regulator in the alternator alone won't be able to soak up all of the spikes from the alternator, leading to weird electrical problems, a blown OVP, etc. I fixed my - cable as described above; if this doesn't work it isn't difficult to replace.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

i would replace it. they dont cost that much and are pretty easy to replace. and prob can use universals too, but they prob wont match originals for quality. has yours by any chance had the end replaced?

if so the ends are junk and you really should do the cable. (at least the ones i have seen are junk)

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I had this problem with one cable end and we simply cut out part of the metal ring at the end of the cable, so it could close more tightly. The design of the cable end was such that it could not clamp tightly on a new battery I bought, but this quick fix cured it permanently ... Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

Also be aware that the posts are two different sizes and if someone has replaced the clamp in the past, it may not be the right size. Making the gap wider, as Ben did , will take care of it.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

In my case, cutting some of the lead off the connection ends actually allowed the cable end to tighten down on the post -- when the cross bolt was screwed down. In other cases, perhaps widening the gap would allow the cable end to fit a larger post. I believe the problem in the original post on this subject was like mine and the member needs to cut out some of the post end closure material so that the clamp portion can be tightened on the post.

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

Just replace the end.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200