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[Shackeng]

Daughter rings up, hubby couldn't start the car, it wouldn't even turn over, "I got some WD40, sprayed the battery terminals, and it started!" says No1 child, very proud of herself. "Not a good idea" says I, "and I'm somewhat surprised that it worked", "A man at a garage told me to do it if it wouldn't start" She says, "and he was right Dad, so what do you know!"

It is difficult to argue with her logic, but how do I persuade her that this is not the best policy?

[Lazydocker]

It could have been water in the terminals but more likely to be a coincidence

[plym ian]

yeah the man at the garage was hoping for some easy money more like

[dbdb]

Was it cold at the time?  My guess is some water between the connectors and the terminals had frozen, spraying oil on that might unfreeze it (the oil being warmer) and then it would conduct.  Ice is a very poor conductor and it would lift the connectors away from the terminal surface.  Check if the connectors are still loose.  Best dry, re-fit and tighten the connectors with some vaseline round the terminals.

[Andy H]

More likely that one of the battery terminals is loose (or one of the cable crimps is failing) and the act of pulling the wires around was enough to make contact.

I don't imagine that 'Water Dispersant 40' can do any harm but petroleum jelly would be better......

[Shackeng]

More likely that one of the battery terminals is loose (or one of the cable crimps is failing) and the act of pulling the wires around was enough to make contact.

I don't imagine that 'Water Dispersant 40' can do any harm but petroleum jelly would be better......

My thoughts as well.

[symes]

Say what you like at least got it going! and not stuck waitin for help eh at least problem can then be eliminated at home

[dbdb]

More likely that one of the battery terminals is loose (or one of the cable crimps is failing) and the act of pulling the wires around was enough to make contact.

No one mentioend pulling of wires though.  OP just said terminals were sprayed which is unlikely to move a terminal connector.  Mind you one of the connectors would likely be loose for water to get behind it.

[Shackeng]

Thanks for the comments,  however I'm still not convinced that when a car won't turn over, the first action should be 'Spray the terminals with WD40'. Check them for a secure connection perhaps.