The last few days my car has harder and to start. Today i had a chance to look it over and found the wires connecting to the starter caked in corrosion. I've seen this at the battery but not at the starter.
Is this a common problem?
Is it safe to use a corrosion inhibitor at that point?
What else should I look for that could be causing this?

Corrosion equals excessive resistance. If the starter isnt getting 12V, but only like 9.5V it will be harder for it start the engine.

If you did a voltage drop from the B+ to starter terminal that is corroded, you will find several volts lost. You can just clean the terminals if you want to, but if the wire itself is say split open and there is corrosion on the wire I would replace the wire, but if just on the terminals it can be cleaned.

Sometimes even using a wire brush takes care of it.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

well I was cleanin it today and found a bunch of corrosion on the positive terminal and when i took it of I could see it leaking. So I'm go to get a new battery and do the "big 3".
Is there a cheaper alternative to an Optima battery?

Open connections like battery and starter tend to corrode over time due to exposure to the elements. You can use a dielectric grease (very much like Vaseline) that can be purchased at almost any auto parts place. You rub a thin coating over all the open exposed parts of the connections. So for battery and starter you can coat the terminal posts and the wire terminals prior to connecting them. It is also used to coat spark plugs and wire boots, as well as light bulb connections. It really does help keep out the corrosion.