‘87 312A Corrosion Below Starter Solenoid?

[97SHOgt 2]

Just happened to look down and see there is white corrosion all of a sudden on my 312A below the starter solenoid.  I know nothing about electrical but pulled the battery and it isn’t coming from that. Any ideas? I’d prefer not to start a fire in this thing.  Weird thing is it seemed like it came on all of a sudden because I would think I would’ve noticed it if it had been there awhile.  Just gave it a good cleaning a few weeks ago but has been sitting a couple weeks since since the yard hadn’t been growing. Maybe I got water on something I shouldn’t have?  Tractor ran fine when I mowed with it Saturday.  Any help is appreciated. 

Edited July 13, 2020 by 97SHOgt

[RandyLittrell 3,885]

Looks like when you cleaned it a few weeks ago, it washed some battery acid down there. That is textbook what battery acid looks like. You need to neutralize it with some baking soda in water and clean it up well.

 

 

 

Randy

[97SHOgt 2]

That was my initial thought but I pulled the battery and there wasn’t a trace of anything on it or in the plastic tray it sits in.

Edited July 13, 2020 by 97SHOgt

[953 nut 55,834]

Anything below the battery (relays, fuses, connectors) is subject to acid vapors from the battery when it is being charged.

[lynnmor 7,354]

Is the plastic battery tray cracked?  Is there a hose connected to it that goes to the bottom of the tractor?

[97SHOgt 2]

Tray looks good. No corrosion above what you see in the pic.  No hose coming off the battery.  I might just clean it up and see if it comes back. Just wanted to see if anybody saw an obvious issue I wasn’t noticing before I keep running and it decides to light up on me. Just seemed to show up all of a sudden which was odd. 

[Tuneup 1,433]

Definitely water washed over the battery - generous flow is suggested. I'd use a spray bottle with baking soda and water to get into that wiring. Nasty stuff. You might want to check that the battery is not overcharging as well. Higher charge = higher acid level.

[97SHOgt 2]

I will get it cleaned up and check the voltage.  I usually try to avoid spraying anything under the hood, but maybe some water went through the louvers on top.  Thanks for the responses.