How to Replace 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable [Full Guide]

Battery (Positive & Negative) cables are one of the most vital components that maintain the primary connection between your Ford Truck’s battery and electric systems during starting or charging.

However, what will happen when one of the battery cables of your 7.3 Powerstroke turns worn out or bad?

The best solution will be replacing it with a new one, but do you know how to replace them, especially the positive battery cable of 7.3 Powerstroke?

Let’s learn all the details here-

Can You Replace 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable?  

Yes, the replacing or new battery cables installation task for Ford 7.3 Powerstroke is not too complex or difficult.

So, anyone with the basic technical knowledge and expertise can replace the positive battery cable on the 7.3 Powerstroke.

Besides knowing the required tools and step-by-step procedures of battery cable replacement, all you need to know is the basics like where the cables are located or how to determine positive and negative ones.

Therefore, before I move to the details of the main procedure, let me help you figure out the basics first.

Your battery can be located near the front or left, or right nose of your truck. If you can locate the battery in neither of those areas, you should check in the trunk.

But the best way of finding your battery location is simply checking your vehicle’s user or service manual, where you can even see the detailed diagram of the battery location and how to get access in there.

Now that you successfully located your battery, you may be wondering how to determine positive and negative cables.

You will see two cables in there one will be black, and another one will be red. The red one is called the positive battery cable, and the negative cable is the black one. So, when you need to replace the positive cable choose the red one.

How Do I Know My 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable Needs Replacement? 

The most obvious sign that either one of your battery cables or both of them need replacement is when you notice starting struggle on your vehicle or intermittent electrical problems.

You might also notice that your 7.3 Powerstroke is encountering slow cranking or no cranking issue, which is ultimately causing your engine to stall and fail during starting.

You will also notice low battery voltage or the entire system may shut down abruptly if corrosion damage one or both of your battery cables.

Besides that, when you see sudden electricity lose on your vehicle without any reason, or the interior and headlight is diming, or even when you turn the key hear clicking noise, you can assume that something is wrong with your battery cables.

But to confirm which cable requires the replacement, thoroughly inspect the battery cables, also do a corrosion and voltage drop test.

How To Replace 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable?

Let’s replace your existing positive battery cable by following the below easy steps-

Required Tools
Basic sets of hand tools (Screwdriver, Wrench, Socket, Rachet, Nuts and Bolts) Battery Cleaning Tool Heavy duty diagonal cutter New Cables and Terminals

Step 1:

Though you may only need to change or replace the positive cable, you still have to carefully trace and follow both battery cables from the battery terminals to where they connect onto the vehicle to compare and obtain the correct replacement cable.

Also, make sure that the new cable has adequate length and matching terminal ends to fit in there.

Remember, if you use a Universal cable, you have to trim it to the correct length as your current one with a Heavy-duty diagonal cutter.

Step 2:

Whether you are replacing the negative or positive battery cable, the standard practice is to remove the negative terminal first to avoid electrical short circuit shock accidents.

Therefore, use a wrench or screwdriver and disconnect the black or negative marked terminal to remove it.

Step 3:

Now trace the negative cable to where it meets your vehicle’s chassis. After that, trace the positive battery cable to where it meets your truck’s fuse block. Then, use a socket and ratchet to slacken the negative groundnut to remove the grounding wire.

Now check whether it is clean or needs to be cleaned. Next, disconnect and remove the nut holding the positive (red) cable in the place. Now, pull out the positive cable.

Step 4:

After removing the existing positive cable, replace it with the new one and tighten it correctly. Then, slide the new positive cable over the positive terminal and attach it to the battery. Now, tighten the positive terminal end with a wrench and securely reconnect the negative terminal.

Step 5:

Now that your new cable is securely installed in place, you need to test whether your problem is solved or not. So, insert your vehicle key to start and see how it responds now.

What Are the Benefits of 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable Replacement?    

The best part of replacing your current corroded or damaged positive battery cable is that you can run your vehicle smoothly without worrying about other issues.

Such as starting failure, poor battery performance due to lack of electricity, or sudden entire system shutdown problems. Since battery cables are prone to corrosion build up both internally and on the terminals.

Replacing the old damaged cable also solves your frequent stalling issue on 7.3 Powerstroke. Also, the battery cables are quite affordable and easy to install.

So, it is the easiest and most convenient way to get rid of those engine troubles which occur because of the bad battery cables.

What Are the Drawbacks or Problems 7.3 Powerstroke Positive Battery Cable Replacement?

There is no drawback or problem when you replace the old and damaged positive battery cable with a new one. It only solves your several engines starting, power, and performance issues.

But if you choose a cable with the wrong length and terminal, it will be a disaster since it will not solve the problem and only waste your money.

Also, make sure you securely tighten all the connections because if any of the cable connections remain loose the problem will remain the same too.

How Often Should I Check Or Replace Positive Battery Cable On My 7.3 Powerstroke?

Simply, you should inspect your battery cables and replace them if required whenever you notice any of the signs or potential symptoms I mentioned earlier.

Besides that, you should check each time you do the scheduled routine servicing of your vehicle and engine.

Experts also suggest checking and replacing the battery cables after each 50,000 to 100,000 miles operation.

Final Thoughts

Often people do not understand when their Ford 7.3 Powerstroke engine encounters starting and lack electric power supply on battery or stalling problem.

These issues can arise due to corroded or damaged positive or negative battery cables, and the most convenient solution is replacing the battery cable. So, follow this detailed guide to replace your 7.3 Powerstroke positive battery cable.

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