1989 buick lesabre battery issue

I recently killed my battery by leaving the headlights on all day. I went to take the battery out to charge it, not thinking...it has side terminals. Now I am trying to put it back in the car..I noticed that there are two positive cables, when I had only put one on...now I can't back the terminal post out because the head is stripped, I called an auto parts store and was told to buy some vise crips from Wal-Mart and that should get it out. Will that work? Also will I need to replace the old terminal post?

 

First off yes vise grips is about the only thing that would work since usually the metal inside battery screw part is made of lead which is a soft metal and dosent have to be tight.. So vise grip the screw out.. and go to your local parts store and depending on the connector.. you can probably just replace the screw terminal only.. but if not replace the whole connector. They are cheap but if you have 2 postitive connections you would want both of them connected since one couldve been an addon later on maybe for stereo or anything. Good luck keep us posted

 

two positive cables?, Does this mean that there are three cables available?

You should have a cable connected from the positive terminal of the battery to the starter
The other should be connected from the negative terminal of the battery to"usually" the engine block.
This being said,
Yes, vise grips should remove the rounded off bolt.and,
Yes you should replace the terminal, they are inexpensive and will eliminate having to do it later..

Good luck and have a great day

 

you can buy just the cable bolt just like your original one there was 2 different sizes one shorter one for a one cable system and a longer one for the 2 pos cable, and vice grips will probably get it out hopfully you didnt damage the battery it doesnt take very much to punch through the side post of the battery so if you cranked it down very much with just the one cable installed you may have pushed the soft lead completly through into the battery you might want to tip the battery a little to see if it leaks out of the terminal to see if it is damaged or not.

 

I appreciate all your replies, thanks so much. I got the vise crips and a new cable. Is it difficult for an inexperienced person such as my self to change the cable?

 

Two cable design used on GM's in that era were "Piggy-Backed" on top of each other. One went directly to the starter, and the other fed the vehicle. There should have been a "Spacer " between the two cables. Save it.... A 3/8-16 bolt and two flat washers will replace the screw you removed.....

Replacing either of them with a Generic battery cable will likely result in a major headache