Help me w/ electrical problems

[RangerX]

I've been having an ongoing problem. Sporatically, my truck won't start. I'll get the 'click', or just nothing at all. Every time, if I clean the positive battery terminal with one of those terminal wire brush things, it'll start right up. I can go for a couple weeks without it happening, then it will happen two days straight, or even twice in one day.
The terminal show some corrosion buildup, but I've seen worse. I don't remember how old the battery is, but the rest of the time, it's fine.
What does this sound like?

Second problem, which may or may not be related. Today, after cleaning the terminal and the truck starting right up, I got an engine RPM noise throught the radio, whether the radio was on or off. Plus, there was an electric 'beep' through the speakers whenever I pressed the brakes, or used the blinkers.
Also over the weekend, I went wheeling and used my CB. Occaisonally, the CB would bleed through the stereo speakers.

I don't know crap about electronics and wiring, but I'm guessing there's a short somewhere, yes?

 

[Alec]

You may have bad wires, which could include all the wires connected to the battery. Most wire corrosion remains unseen until it's too late.

Also check the power distribution box for corrosion.

Of course, it may be time for an Optima which won't corrode nearly as much.

One more tip: tape a few clean pennies between the 2 terminals of the battery, but make sure most of the copper is still free to the air. This will help limit wire corrosion.

 

[mrboyle]

Just for kicks, next time it happens instead of cleaing the cable ends, just grab the cables and wiggle them around, then try to start it. If it starts, I'd suspect the cables are corroded well into the insulation and time for replacement.