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Fixing Battery Terminals by Replacing Parts and Soldering - Riding Lawn Mower
Published: Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 10:06:53 PM - EDT
Updated: Friday, September 5th 2025 01:05:38 AM - EDT
Written by: jbick
Category: SMALL_ENGINE
After thinking it was a bad solenoid, then bad starter, then coming to the realization my terminal crimps were bad on my troy-bilt pony's battery, I purchased new bolts and terminals and soldered new terminals on. The riding lawn mower now starts on command.
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After I realized it was in fact my battery terminals connection, I made a run to the hardware store. I picked up 2 x 1/4" by 3/4" (inch) bolts and there subsequent nuts. Luckily, I already have stripper tools, side-cuts and soldering gun, on hand.
My troy-bilt pony now starts right up. There was a ton of corrosion also built up, the previous battery hardware was toasted, completely. After cutting and removing the old terminals I cleaned the battery's square lead terminal posts with a wire brush, which I also had on hand.
I unfortunately wasted a lot of time thinking it was the solenoid, then the starter. It was in fact neither and was a simple fix. Now I am hoping my solder job will hold up.
I purchased the new terminals and nuts/bolts at ACE hardware. I was a little curious if the terminals would fit my tractor's wires - they in fact did. I just went with 1/4" post terminals. I happened to have a pair of side cuts, which I used to "crimp" the terminals onto the positive and negative wires. After crimping the terminals, I soldered the terminals onto the wire.
The 1/4" bolts tightened up with a 7/16 socket. The auto-feeding soldering gun came in very handy for the job, infact being some one who doesn't solder well the auto-feeding soldering gun is a must have.
Parts List
- 2 x 1/4" by 3/4" long bolts.
- 2 x 1/4" nuts.
- package of 1/4" compatible 10-12 AWG terminals.
Tools
- Strippers.
- Side Cuts.
- Wire Brush.
- Soldering Gun.
- 7/16 Deep Well Socket.
What I could have Done Better
My solder joints could be cleaner, I used what I had on hand, the solder that came with the soldering gun - circuit board solder. Additionally, I could have used heat shrink tube over top of the solder joints. I could have used a finer wire brush.
Hardware: Links
Although I went to the local hardware, you can purchase your hardware right off Amazon. It would turn out amazon sells a nice kit with the 1/4 by 3/4 bolts + washers + the corresponding nuts.
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