embarrased, but need basic help!?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
embarrased, but need basic help!?
This seems like such a simple thing, but for the life of me, I could not disconnect the neg. wire to my battery today. If you could be so kind as to offer the noob some suggestions I'd appreciate it. I did replace the window wipes in my passenger's side today but I ran my battery down in the process because I couldn't get it disconnected. I really need to do this because I'd like to do the other side tomorrow and I don't want to ruin my battery. Thanks guys
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
Hard to believe that a 16 year-old car has all that technology on it, huh? But if you've got an '89, you've got the best C4 out there. They are the coolest. 
(Although I may be a bit biased)
Good luck with the other wiper. Welcome to the forum.
(Although I may be a bit biased)Good luck with the other wiper. Welcome to the forum.
Last edited by X-FireChance; Jul 10, 2005 at 12:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Thanks for the welcome. I appreciate the kind words and I truly enjoyed your corvette page. That was very interesting, especially the story about the '63. I've always loved the looks of the 60's Vettes, but truly you have a bevy of beautiful cars there. My 89 doestn't look nearly as nice as yours---Yet 
, but I plan on changing that. It'll probably remain pretty much stock because it'll be all I can do just to get it to look nice. This thing has already bit into my wallet and I'm going to have to watch the cash flow. Anyway, thanks again and have a great summer. 
, but I plan on changing that. It'll probably remain pretty much stock because it'll be all I can do just to get it to look nice. This thing has already bit into my wallet and I'm going to have to watch the cash flow. Anyway, thanks again and have a great summer.
Waka, Waka, Waka!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Virginia
CI 4-6-8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by Morley
5/16" box end wrench...unscrew the bolt and move the wire away from the battery....or were you having some other difficulty?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
It's just killing me, so I have to ask: How do you run the battery down changing out a wiper blade? 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by X-FireChance
It's just killing me, so I have to ask: How do you run the battery down changing out a wiper blade?
Probably had the hood up.
Hokiess, you can disconnect the underhood lights by unplugging one connector on each side of the car or install a switch from Mid America.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Welcome. 89 is a great year for the vette
Welcome, Hokiess. You can be embarrassed, but no one here feels it. Me, especially, I've got no clue on some of this stuff, so it's great to read all of it, and the solutions. Thanks for asking my questions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I just assumed my door light ran it down. I had the door opened pretty much all day. Should that not run the battery down? If not, maybe I have a weak battery. I jumped it at the end of the day and it jumped fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by hokiess
I just assumed my door light ran it down. I had the door opened pretty much all day. Should that not run the battery down? If not, maybe I have a weak battery. I jumped it at the end of the day and it jumped fine.
Just remember tho that just because a battery can get jumped easily doesn't necessarily mean that it's in good condition or still has a lot of life left in it. It could still be near the end. Just a caution, not a call to replace it immediately unless it really is old.
I've got a five year old battery in another car. Most factory new batteries (that come with new cars) are good for 3 years. Anything beyond that is nice, but one shouldn't necessarily count on it. So, I know I'm on borrowed time with that one!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
If neither the 5/16" or 8mm wrenches get a good grip...
You might try some Cobra pliers by Knipex. They are the ones on the right hand side. They have incredible grip and will generally not round the fastener (because of the jaw design).
BTW... you can get the same pliers in Craftsman, product # 0945430.
BTW... you can get the same pliers in Craftsman, product # 0945430.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
I'd definitly go ahead and disconnect the underhood lights. They're really useless because they don't provide enough light to help do anything and when I work on my car, I usually leave my hood up for extended periods of time. I've had mine disconnected for a few years now.
If you for some reason get stranded at night on the side of the road, you can easily plug them back in.
Also, I think that having the door open and hood up all day could run down the battery. I've done that before.
EDIT: If you use the above method (pliers) to disconnect the batter, be VERY carful. In my experience, pliers generally DO round off the terminal.
If you for some reason get stranded at night on the side of the road, you can easily plug them back in.
Also, I think that having the door open and hood up all day could run down the battery. I've done that before.
EDIT: If you use the above method (pliers) to disconnect the batter, be VERY carful. In my experience, pliers generally DO round off the terminal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
My underhood lights provide plenty of light as long as the battery is completely charged - but it's best to disconnect them or install a switch if you plan on leaving the hood up for any length of time.
If the battery bolt is stripped, vice grips will wrench it off. Buy replacements at any Discount Parts Store.
If the battery bolt is stripped, vice grips will wrench it off. Buy replacements at any Discount Parts Store.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Great info. guys. I pulled the neg. off this morning and finished the window wipe job on the driver's side today. Car started right up after the job was done. I'm definately glad that job is done. HOpe not to do that job again for another 10 yrs. or so.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
Originally Posted by artvette
Probably had the hood up.
Hokiess, you can disconnect the underhood lights by unplugging one connector on each side of the car or install a switch from Mid America.
Hokiess, you can disconnect the underhood lights by unplugging one connector on each side of the car or install a switch from Mid America.
