Splash shield over battery - am I missing this?

[irish44j]

I noticed that my battery on the 924S is pretty "open" to water, etc coming in the rear edge of the hood (especially when the wipers wipe downward), and that I can see the battery from outside the car when standing by the passenger A-pillar. Is there any factory (or aftermarket) "splash shield" or anything like that the seals off the rear edge of the hood, or it supposed to be wide-open like that? I suppose it's really good for airflow through the engine bay, but it seems to leave the battery especially open to "the elements." Just wondering.

[drkshdw]

Cars with a factory alarm have a cover plate that is screwed onto the hood that shields the battery terminals but it isn't specifically a 'splash shield' per se. It does a good job of hiding the battery though. Part number 944.511.201.00 if you want one from a dealer or get a good used one from someone parting a car. See pic as to what I'm talking about.

[irish44j]

ah thanks. I knew I had seen one of those someplace. And now I'm thinking it was on my old 924 parts car (which had a factory alarm) which of course is long gone....lol.

[9FF]

They all originally came with a battery cover which is still available from the dealer or from here at Pelican, part #477-915-411-A

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by drkshdw

Cars with a factory alarm have a cover plate that is screwed onto the hood that shields the battery terminals but it isn't specifically a 'splash shield' per se. It does a good job of hiding the battery though. Part number 944.511.201.00 if you want one from a dealer or get a good used one from someone parting a car. See pic as to what I'm talking about.

I am the original owner of my 83 and I have never seen this. The orignal battery had a cover over the positive terminal. I have gone thru several batteries and most have had covers over the positive terminal.

[drkshdw]

Originally Posted by jcommin

I am the original owner of my 83 and I have never seen this. The orignal battery had a cover over the positive terminal. I have gone thru several batteries and most have had covers over the positive terminal.

Does your car have a factory alarm? Those are the only cars that have this metal plate. Not sure if the early cars had it or not but every late car with an alarm will have one. But it's not to cover the battery, it's just to prevent someone from reaching under the edge of the hood and cutting a wire or hot wiring the car (I would assume...I don't know how you steal a car by starting it at the pos. terminal...).

And yes, when new they all had a plastic battery cover. Very, very rare to find one still intact though but it's a good idea to cover it anyway as the battery sits so close to the hood.

[Austin87]

I have an '88 and had the same concern. I had to remove my battery and repair a little rust using corroseal rust converter. Like POR 15 but not as toxic. I also improved the front water drain by adding a few inches of rubber hose to extend the drain so the rain water doesn't hit anything like a belt in the engine bay.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by drkshdw

Does your car have a factory alarm? Those are the only cars that have this metal plate. Not sure if the early cars had it or not but every late car with an alarm will have one. But it's not to cover the battery, it's just to prevent someone from reaching under the edge of the hood and cutting a wire or hot wiring the car (I would assume...I don't know how you steal a car by starting it at the pos. terminal...).

And yes, when new they all had a plastic battery cover. Very, very rare to find one still intact though but it's a good idea to cover it anyway as the battery sits so close to the hood.

My car did not have a factory alarm. I never knew about the cover although the shield does make sense. I have a Bosch battery and it has a cover over the positive terminal.

[pfarah]

My 84 with no alarm...

[djnolan]

I think that shield attached to the hood is to prevent something metal from accidentally contacting the positive battery cable and the bodywork and causing sparks to fly.

Maybe the positive and negative cables should have been reversed.

[drkshdw]

Originally Posted by djnolan

I think that shield attached to the hood is to prevent something metal from accidentally contacting the positive battery cable and the bodywork and causing sparks to fly.

That would make sense if it actually covered something and if it was made of plastic but neither are true. It's actually made of metal and all it does is block access to the positive battery terminal from outside the car. As well, PET lists this plate as only on cars with option code M533 (anti-theft device).

[pfarah]

I think the metal shield also reduces the amount of direct water flow on to the battery. I understand that the plastic battery cover also performs that function.

[djnolan]

Maybe the shield it is to prevent disabling the alarm by disconnecting the battery. (although you would need a plastic wrench to do it)