Replacement advice for a positive battery post to fuse box cable with cracked insulation

[Nate Payeur]

I checked the positive lead from the battery to the fuse box and found that all four of the leads have cracked and degraded insulation. It would explain the odd electrical issues i've been having with my car. I guess im going to have to repair it since the cables themselves are not available from Ford and i haven't been able to find a replacement at the wreckers or online. The problem exists on pretty much every 95-98 Contour with the original style positive lead. The wreckers i went to today didnt have any Contours at all to check, and only one Cougar which has the newer style harness which is incompatible. My only hope (other then repair) is to find a 95-98 that has already had its cable replaced with the updated version that doesn't crack.

Does anyone have any replacement advice? I was thinking about cutting out the damaged sections and then soldering in new wire. Has anyone else tried this?

Mine was like this, but much worse. Mine had about 6 inches of missing insulation.
http://contour07.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/contour_battery_cable_1.jpg

Heres what it looks like when removed from the fuse box.
http://contour07.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/contour_battery_cable_2.jpg

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

pm svttour, he usually has one, or can get one relatively easy. I bought one from him a couple months ago, perfect condition.

 

[Nate Payeur]

Amazing! Thanks!

Can you explain how to remove the fuse box and the wiring under it including the bus bar? I had a look but i dont want to be moving it around too much in case it damages the main engine harness.