What is the purpose of the big battery terminal cover? All the other cars I've owned had either no cover or a just a small one. The reason I am asking is, I was removing the cover to jump start my work van and I accidentally cracked it. It's still in one piece but is it something I should consider replacing in the future?

 

My guess is that its there to make it harder to accidentally short out the battery.

 

The red cover looks nice and prevents accidental shorts to ground if you are to lay a tool across it to a grounded surface.... If it still functions by staying in place there is no problem but if you are obsessive about your car you might need to replace it for peace of mind.... Small things can keep a Fit Freak awake at night so if sleeping becomes a problem and you don't know why you may need to fix it.

 

ahhaha I cracked mine the first time I touched it in the midst of winter too. That was well over a year ago though, so don't feel so bad. I stopped caring after about 5 minutes :P

 

You have noticed that as well eh Wily. Freaks we are called.

 

I have been Freaky for a long time as you have as well Wild Bill.... Any one that lives where you do and owns a Bug Eye Sprite is the dead give away about you.... Have you tended to your dash pots lately and prayed to the prince of darkness before pushing the start button or turning on the lights??? I have to go out and try to find my dog that has been gone since Thursday the 22nd.... I have driven about 300 miles and today I am having to do some sneaking and peaking through the woods.... I really miss him and want him back very much.... My wife didn't call him in while I was out of town.

 

To specifically answer your question? My guess is the huge needlessly complicated battery cover is primarily to discourage people from replacing their own batteries.

The more baffles, shields, covers and plastic stuff you can cover an engine compartment with, the less accessible it becomes. Thus the casual would be weekend mechanics are that much more likely to just drive it into the dealership.

 

The over sized terminal is called BATTERY TERMINAL FUSE BOX in the service manual. It indicates that there's a #1 fuse rated 100A in there.

 

Maybe underneath it there is but no fuse is part of it.

 

On the Sprite the starter is a pull knob. I got the scars from changing SUs.

I thought you were gonna say if the wife were lost you wouldn't send the dog out to look etc

 

I am mad as hell at her for not heeding my instructions on handling the dog.... I wasn't in the woods 5 minutes when a huge boar hog weighing at least 350lbs came out of some brush at first coming toward me until I started hollering and waving my walking stick at him.... Still no dog and I am lonely without him to hang out and go on walks with.

 

So when you make up you can hang with the wife ans she can walk you.