roadbike56

I read on these forums that it is best to maintain power when changing a battery. Well today is the day I need to change my battery, I'm hoping to find a Gel battery. When I make that change, what are the method(s) used to keep some power to the computer so I don't have a complete shut down?
Thanks

dadaroo

Putting 9-12 volts on the system should do it. Most people just buy one of the small devices that just plug in the cigarette/accessory location. Every auto store should have one or just make your own.

I didn't think one of the small 9 volt batteries would do it in the C5 but others say it works.

Based on what I have read all you are doing is just keeping the radio presets. I disconnect and reconnect my battery 5-6 times every year and don't worry about trying to keep the presets since it is in storage for so long. If you are worried abut the PCM and BCM for some reason you should not be.

I don't think any other Memory (if you have that option) presets are affected by lost of voltage. I have that feature but don't use it so I can't confirm. The FSM does not really get into that level of detail.

chuckeb84

Should not be a problem if it's not jumped

jdsaengine

Changed my batt and it was without power for about 5 min. Didn't loose any presets on radio, or any other issues.

MacNH

I just replaced the 7 year old Exide in my 2002 with a Die Hard Advanced Gold AGM. No battery in the car for two days and I didn't lose anything. Radio, window indexing were all fine. Just had to re-sync the FOBs.

MacNH

yaknow

I disconnect my battery every winter during storage. I never lose the presets but, I do have to reset the security code for the radio and reprogram the fobs. Time commitment is less than 5 minutes.

JR-01

Nope. Just change the battery. Remove ground first so you don't arc it when you remove positive and everything will be great. My car hasn't had a battery for 5 months and it's just fine. In your owners manual, GM recommends disconnecting the battery if the car is not to be driven for more than three weeks. Maintaining power in the computer while changing battery is baloney and trying to do so may just screw everything up.

99 VET

Agree w/Dadaroo post which works for me

roadbike56

Great responses. I guess I'll just take the old one out and look for a new one and not worry about the maintaining power thing.
Thanks,

JR-01

All newer cars have electronics and some a lot more sophisticated than C5s. Changing batteries is not a big deal. It's done everyday without maintaining power.

540i 6spd

Changed mine today, and didn't lose any either and mine was unhooked for about an hour.