I have a 2006 Elantra GLS. The negative battery terminal has become rusted and corroded to the point where the car will not start and the bolt that tightens the terminal to the battery will not move. I have removed the terminal from the battery and tried the standard tricks for cleaning the terminal such as baking soda+water and WD40 to no avail.

I believe my next course of action is to replace the corroded terminal. So, my question is whether it is easier to cut the cable and replace the terminal or replace the entire cable. I am not sure where the other end of the cable terminates; it disappears into the guts of the car.

If anyone has experience with this problem and can offer advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

It's certainly easier to just replace the terminal. It works. The more important issue is why your terminal got so corroded in the first place. Is the alternator weak? Is the battery weak?

I prefer to simply replace the entire cable. They are not that expensive. You can, of course, cut the ends and put new terminals but my personal experience has been all bad. Just go to any auto parts store and get the right sized cable and replace it. Usually it is a good idea to check them every so often and perhaps put some lubricant on the battery terminal to stop the corrosion. This is one product designed to stop this problem. Dielectric "Tune-up Grease" by Permatex.

Obviously you will need to locate the other end of the cable. If it is the positive cable it should be on the starter motor. If the negative cable it will be bolted to a part of the frame. You probably need to get at it from under the vehicle. It is not that big a deal but be sure the car is properly supported so it doesn't fall and kill you.