The heavy twisted copper wire inside a car battery cable maintains steady electric current for years with out any maintenance. From time to time, the ends of battery cables become severely corroded enough that the wires deteriorate and break. In such cases, it is best to cut the cable back to good, uncorroded wire before attempting to install a new cable end and reattach the battery.
Loosen and remove the battery cables from the battery posts using a socket or open-ended wrench in the correct size. Remove the positive cable first. Avoid allowing the cable end to contact the post, which can cause sparks and possible electric shock. Remove the negative cable end. Securely tuck away the cable you do not want to be cut to avoid accidental contact with the battery.
Remove the battery, if you can do so easily, to provide more space in which to work. Use a utility knife to cut the insulation away from the end of the cable to be cut at least a half-inch from the end. If the wire does not appear copper-colored here, strip it back until the wires are a bright copper color free of corrosion.
Place the cable in the cutting blade of the jaw of the linemen's pliers. Press the handles together firmly, cutting through the outside strands of copper first. Keep the pliers aligned with the cut to ensure a flat end on your cable. Press the pliers handles together until all strands are cut smoothly.
Strip back the wire far enough to accommodate the new battery cable end, typically about an inch. Make sure there is no corrosion present before reestablishing contact with the battery. Use baking soda and water on an old toothbrush, or carbonated soft drink, to clean any remaining corrosion on the battery post or cable ends.
