How do I change the battery?
Discussion
OK started doing that but got a problem with the alarm which went into 'never ending' mode when I disconnected the +ve and 'extra extra loud' mode if I tried reconnecting it and refuses to respond to the remote. How do I *physically* turn off the audible part of the alarm? (I think it may have exhausted itself but I'm about to get lynched by the neighbours so I don't want to take the risk!).
If you don't want to publicise it please email me at ikennedy@cix.co.uk
Edited by raspberry on Sunday 23 December 12:34
If you don't want to publicise it please email me at ikennedy@cix.co.uk
Edited by raspberry on Sunday 23 December 12:34
OK, answer via the dealer - you can't. If you are taking the battery out prepare for a very extended alarm/siren display.
Oh and it took me a lot longer than 30-40 minutes! One of the nuts on the airbox mounts is virtually impossible to reach and undo :-( I won't be in a hurry to do it again, though as Adam says undoubtedly it would be a lot quicker the second time.
Oh and it took me a lot longer than 30-40 minutes! One of the nuts on the airbox mounts is virtually impossible to reach and undo :-( I won't be in a hurry to do it again, though as Adam says undoubtedly it would be a lot quicker the second time.
Amp hours 70ah
Reserve capacity 110mins
Din Equiv. 57072
CCA sae 590 amps
Iec 390 amps
CCA Din 385 amps
Having the following items helps *greatly*:
A long thin magnetic probe to fish out stuff that falls into engine;
Socket extensions to reach into the deep cavities;
Universal-joint adapters for ratchet;
Set of allen keys
Pair of pliers/mole grips ;
Towels to cover wings of car with before starting any work;
A rag to cover the new battery terminals to avoid shorts.
Remove the inner bonnet. Easy enough.
Removing the airbox is also fairly easy, but hanging on to the nuts and bolts that come off and making sure they don't fall into some deep crevice in the engine is virtually impossible. Thankfully, I have one of those long magetic probes. Very handy. Another useful tip is to keep a shoebox in front of the engine compartment. You can put your tools and nuts and bolts and bits that come off in here and they won't disappear into the engine (unless you overturn the box--don't ask!).
Once the battery is clearly visible, pay attention to how the cables are routed down the side of the battery. You might want to draw a rough diagram. This is really important!
Next comes the disconnecting-the-terminals-and-setting-the-alarm-off-repeatedly-and-trying-to-wrestle-the-battery-out bit. This step is virtually impossible. There's a huge protruding bit nut/bolt thingy in the way. No matter how much you try to lever the battery up and over this, it doesn't seem to work. I finally managed to get a good hold on the bottom of the battery and with a back-wrenching heave, it gave.
My criteria for the replacement battery was that it be the same or better specs and a smaller size so I don't go through this again. I have padded it all around with thick neoprene strips so it doesn't bounce around, and then clamped it in place as best I could.
When I hooked up the terminals, I managed to short the battery a few times. And I dropped the ratchet on the car and got two chips for my efforts. Anyways, I eventually managed to get the terminals hooked up and after the alarm had gone off for the 100th time, the car locked itself up. I got in using the secret method, opened the car up, decided to keep the keyfob outside the car, and went back to work.
Now then, where was I? Oh yes, time to put the airbox on and tighten up all the hose clamps. Easy enough. Final step was to put on the cover that goes under the bonnet. If you look, there's a flap on the battery side that slides in next to the battery. Well, it wouldn't slide in anymore because the damn battery cables were in the way!
Lots of fidgeting, loosening, tightening, rearranging later, after another 100 times of setting off the piercing alarm, I finally got this piece to go in properly. Finally it was time to close everything up, double check everything, and I was DONE. 2 hours flat including the trip to buy the battery!
Edited by faisalkhan on Monday 24th December 19:58
Edited by faisalkhan on Monday 24th December 19:58
Superb post, mate! My experiences match to the tee: dropping Allan keys and bolts (luckily mine dropped straight down to the ground), needing three hands at the final stage, one to hold up the airbox, one to hold back the positive battery leads and one to heave the battery out; and yes when I came to put it back somehow the plastic tray above wouldn't fit back in because I had failed to precisely tuck the battery leads away. The -ve is fairly obvious down the side of the battery but the +ve is hard to place properly. As for putting back the securing bolt, forget it! I still don't understand exactly how I got it out in the first place. Oh yes and I too managed to end up locking the car whilst I was desparately pressing the keyfob to stop the alarm - and when I went to do the 'secret trick' we all know to get in, one of the two screw heads completely sheared off!
It would be a lot easier if I wasn't frightened of smashing a hole in the airbox as the battery gets the final tug.
I think the guy who designed that bit of the layout deserves something err ... not quite sure what, but something ;-)
Edited by raspberry on Monday 24th December 20:31
It would be a lot easier if I wasn't frightened of smashing a hole in the airbox as the battery gets the final tug.
I think the guy who designed that bit of the layout deserves something err ... not quite sure what, but something ;-)
Edited by raspberry on Monday 24th December 20:31
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