Cable + connector was loose and corroded, ford dealer replaced connector with "basic" connector, but the red cable line also has corrosion and ate through to wiring..need to replace that cable only

Follow the cable from the battery to where it bolts onto the engine and body, I think it's a two sectioned cable, See if you can see any other wires attached to it and check for shabby loose little bits of broken wires that fit into the actual connector at the cable ends.Electrical connections are normally joined to the positive cable on most cars.
If nothing ,Then go to an independent parts retailer and get a cheaper version matched up as they're all made from the same materials. Phew $400 is a bit crazy. greed is spreading rampagely on our planet, Especially within the motor industry.Good luck.

Hi,
From what I can determine, the battery cables are part of an engine sub harness. Cost of the part is in the $300 range. However, I suspect your real problem is the connectors on the cables which attach to the battery. They should be cleaned very well, free of all signs of corrosion and tightened securely. There is a common problem of the terminals corroding and cracking / breaking. They can be replaced easily and cheaply by cutting off the old terminal(s) , stripping back (or leaving exposed) about a 1/2" of wire. If wire has any corrosion, sand down to remove corrosion. The replacement terminals should be the clamp on type that you insert the wire into the clamp connection on back of new terminal and tighten it down securing the wires to the new terminal, then attaching them back to the battery. Cost around $10, buy some anti-corrosion spray for batteries also and spray them well after installation to battery to prevent this from happening again.
NOTE: Negative or black (if color coded) should come off first. Then remove positive (red) cable. Remove both cables from battery before performing repairs. Positive (red) cable goes back on first, negative cable (black) goes on last. This will prevent you from damaging your computer system and eliminate the chance of arcing (sparking) while effecting repairs.
Hope that helps!....Mike

Hello: Are you replacing the alternator with alternators from the same source? If the answer is yes that may be your problem, you might try a different source. Also check the following: ground (black) cable from battery to engine/body-clean and tight, positive(red) cable clean and tight at battery, no corrosion on cable, cable bolt, nothing green(corrosion) growing inside the red covering on the cable. Check all grounds that connect to the body and engine. All grounds will be black wires. Also check the connector that plugs into the alternator, make sure the metal female connectors connect tightly to the male connector inside the alternator.(do a drag check, you should feel resistance when you pull the connector back out of the alternator. Also make sure the red wire that connects to the alternator is tight but make sure you don't tighten it to tight, that could cause a loose connection inside the alternator.

Could be loose fuse box (rear wiring or fuses), jiggle it (or them) slightly to check. Could be ignition contact, push the key in or jiggle it to check. Lesser chance of defective or loose connectors elsewhere such as dash switches themselves. If other accessories are not working there may be a main power line to the fuse box from the battery positive connector that is corroded. Most times this smaller red wire has corroded at the battery cable.

check battery terminals for corrosion. clean with a wire brush. check starter terminals for corrosion and clean as nessarray. if the connections between the wire and terminal connectors are corroded you may need to replace that wire and terminals.

Yes, go to subaru dealer and buy org part. It will come with end and new wire attached. You will have to attach to starter. Not the easiest way to fix, but the best way. You can just cut off end and replace with a new one from autoparts store. Get battery cleaner and spray on battery and rinse off to get all corrosion off or you will have same problem again quickly.

try a wire brush

check battery and cables.if battery is 12.5 volts. look at cables for looseness and corrosion.if corroded clean cables and battery post. also check to make sure the alternator is charging.

corrosion can cause a week connection .if the wire you replaced it with was used it could have had the (cancer ) inside already

Did you remove the faulty cable and replace it with a new one? sometimes a cable can be so badly corroded it's rendered useless, as the corrosion can travel all the way along the cable, if you have a multi tester check the resistance ( Ohms ) using the top and end of the affected cable, you should get a high pitched sound when you connect both ends ( to the meter ) thewad001