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Okay, like everyone else I've replaced my share of car batteries in my life... but either I've never personally replaced the one in my C5, or they've changed the battery design since the last time I changed it myself (I've definitely had it replaced a few times in the last several years). Either way, my C5 sat for several months recently, was completely dead, and now won't hold a charge. But when I went to replace the battery I was a little stumped when I looked at it. It didn't have the usual posts sticking out the top and the typical post connectors. The connections are on the front, and although I only looked at it for a minute, I didn't see any nut that could be loosened to remove the cables. In fact I couldn't tell how they were connected at all. As I said, I only had a minute at the time or I probably could've figured it out, but in the meantime I'll brave the stupid question firing squad and ask for input, and whether I need a special tool or something to remove this style of connector. I searched briefly here but didn't find anything.
If your car sits a lot, it may be a good idea to purchase a battery tender. These cars do NOT like sitting for long periods of time!
I just spent a small fortune replacing a battery in my Honda EU3000, two each in two of my BladeZ scooters along with the one in my C5 and bought two more Battery Tender Jr's to go along with these since I only had one Yuasa battery tender I rotated through all these including my RV/Trailer batteries. It was too much and it's cheap insurance to spend another $39 on the Tender Jr's. I bought two more Jr's and now just need to remember to top off the charge on the scooters.
They are 8 mm side post lugs that unscrew from the battery. The lugs are part of the battery cables.
Thank you for the size info. Mine definitely doesn't have any bolts or nuts visible like that, and it didn't appear that there were any obvious covers which might be hiding them. They must be covered though, so I'll take another look at them first chance I get.
One more thing. Is there a bracket securing the battery in place? Many batteries holders have one that comes over the top of the battery (which this doesn't), and some have something that secures them at the bottom, but it doesn't seem like there would be much room to be able to access anything like that near the bottom of the battery on the C5. Thanks.
Thank you for the size info. Mine definitely doesn't have any bolts or nuts visible like that, and it didn't appear that there were any obvious covers which might be hiding them. They must be covered though, so I'll take another look at them first chance I get.
They may have turned into a corroded mess. Wire brush and maybe vise grips
You can see the battery hold down bolt in this pic... it's between the two battery post and at the bottom of the battery
Thank you for the info/picture. Got the cables disconnected, they were covered. I couldn't see that lower bracket because the foam liner that goes around my battery was hanging out a couple inches in the front and blocking the view. Unfortunately there's no room for socket wrench at the bottom I don't have a socket extension long enough to access that, so I'm going to have to go get one. Looks like I'll need about 8" or so to clear the top of the battery.
As to someone's mention that the cables may be corroded, they're pristine. I have a wire brush and the stuff you spray on the posts though, which I'll apply.
Thank you for the info/picture. Got the cables disconnected, they were covered. I couldn't see that lower bracket because the foam liner that goes around my battery was hanging out a couple inches in the front and blocking the view. Unfortunately there's no room for socket wrench at the bottom I don't have a socket extension long enough to access that, so I'm going to have to go get one. Looks like I'll need about 8" or so to clear the top of the battery.
As to someone's mention that the cables may be corroded, they're pristine. I have a wire brush and the stuff you spray on the posts though, which I'll apply.
Just for what it's worth, You can purchase new bolts at your local auto parts store if the heads are rounded off. They are reasonable and will alow you to use a wrench instead of vise grips to install the cables
Don't take the bolt all the way out. The battery will come out without removing the bolt all the way. Once you loosen the bolt, pull the battery forward while tilting it forward and unhook the back then move it straight back to unhook the front.
I use a helpful tool, the sidemount battery wrench for GM cars, that I bought at Harbor freight tools for three bucks or so. Just a dedicated little 5/8 open socket rachet, but it made life a little easier. I had trouble with the positive lead with my tools.
03-29-2015, 09:41 PM
Replacing C5 battery, stupid question
I just spent a small fortune replacing a battery in my Honda EU3000, two each in two of my BladeZ scooters along with the one in my C5 and bought two more Battery Tender Jr's to go along with these since I only had one Yuasa battery tender I rotated through all these including my RV/Trailer batteries. It was too much and it's cheap insurance to spend another $39 on the Tender Jr's. I bought two more Jr's and now just need to remember to top off the charge on the scooters.
