1998 Nissan Sentra Battery Cable Replacement

[98sentraWOOT!]

My sentra has not been starting and as I inspected various parts of the electrical system I determined that I needed to replace the battery cable due to corrosion and broken wires. I am having a hard time reaching the end of the negative cable beneath the starter. I have two questions.

1.) Should I remove the MAF and tube underneath of it (the huge plastic tube that runs to the Airfilter box) to gain access to the starter and remove it so I can remove the negative battery cable. Or is there a better, easier way to do this.

2.) The negative battery cable has an exposed area behind the battery that is attached to the car with a medal clamp of some kind. Is this a ground?

Thanks.

[vancouverbc]

the negative of the battery connects to car engine so that all the metal parts of car become ground or negative. neg. of battery connected to engine and engine connected to all other metal parts of of car .

have you hit the starter or solenoid?

[98sentraWOOT!]

Thanks for the reply. No I have not hit the starter. The car was not running for 6 months, I replaced rotor, cap, wires, plugs, new pcv, and some new gas. It started up but still idles rough. She died after I messed with the idle speed. I happened to notice several issues after looking over the car I have several problems, 2 exhuast leaks, valve seal needs replaced (i have oil all over my pcv), and horribly corroded battery cables. I do not have reason to believe it is the starter or slenoid.

back to the battery, should I then cut open cut the battery cable and ground it the same way the original cable is grounded or is there a safer or better way to ground?

[driftingmy240sx]

sounds like you are using a universal ground cable. to make your life easier. i would run the cable from the battery to the engine like the original is routed. i would then get some good thick gauge wire and crimp 2 eyelets to the ends and run one end to the battery and one to the body where the original cable is bolted to.