Battery Installation
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 15
From: Lusby MD
Battery Installation
I need to replace a battery in a 96 and was wondering what's involved. I know the side panel is removable. Is that the best method?
What do I need to do to change this sucker?
[Modified by 69L71, 3:30 PM 1/7/2004]
What do I need to do to change this sucker?
[Modified by 69L71, 3:30 PM 1/7/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: Battery Installation (69L71)
removing the side piece is the best way - you will need a torx socket set and a 10 mm, and 8 mm box wrench...
It is a piece of cake - 10 minutes tops - Ohh, and a long socket / extension for the battery hold down bolt. :cheers:
It is a piece of cake - 10 minutes tops - Ohh, and a long socket / extension for the battery hold down bolt. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 19
From: Tavernier Fl
Re: Battery Installation (69L71)
for ease of reinstallation take out all the bolts *except* the bottom one, looen it a little remove the one in the top right close to the door-this shold allow the panel to pivot down, when you get the new battery in you swing it back up and there is alot less lining up to do good luck!
Ben
Ben
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Battery Installation (onrecess)
Sam's Club has a nice battery... and free installation! :yesnod:
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,876
Likes: 39
From: cincinnati ohio
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Battery Installation (Mr Mojo)
Sam's Club has a nice battery... and free installation! :yesnod:
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Yeah but would you trust Bubba changing your battery? I know I wouldn't!
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Yeah but would you trust Bubba changing your battery? I know I wouldn't!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Battery Installation (Mr Mojo)
Sam's Club has a nice battery... and free installation! :yesnod:
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Yeah but would you trust Bubba changing your battery? I know I wouldn't!
Now, THAT is the easy way!
Yeah but would you trust Bubba changing your battery? I know I wouldn't!
Everyone hit on most of the items, remove fender, disconnect battery, remove hold down (long extension or several together), clean it all up in there (baking soda is a good neutralizer), and especially clean the connection cables especially under the rubber coverings, re-install using the reverse and be sure to properly torque the battery connections (15 Nm).
:flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: Battery Installation (69L71)
I need to replace a battery in a 96 and was wondering what's involved. I know the side panel is removable. Is that the best method?
What do I need to do to change this sucker?
An RPG or a Laws.
[Modified by 69L71, 3:30 PM 1/7/2004]
What do I need to do to change this sucker?
An RPG or a Laws.
[Modified by 69L71, 3:30 PM 1/7/2004]
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO
Re: Battery Installation (69L71)
I've kept this link in my bookmarks for the next time I need to change the battery:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...ttery/bat1.asp
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001...ttery/bat1.asp
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Battery Installation (droeme)
I've kept this link in my bookmarks for the next time I need to change the battery:
It leaves you hanging at the end by not informing the reader to properly torque the battery connections, and it does not reference cleaning the connection cables which have a rubber covering on them. Under that rubber cover, corrosion builds up and can cause the battery terminal to corrode and fall off. It focuses on broken cables not corrosion.
If one doesn't properly torque the connections, your likely to get a bad ground connection due to vibrations and then all kinds of weird electrical problems pop up.
In my opinion, Corvette Magazine should ensure the accuracy and completeness of those procedures.
Just my opinion.
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton FL
Re: Battery Installation (Mr Mojo)
Aw! That isn't nice! He was a real nice kid! He was easily as careful as any owner. Kid was excited to work on it and drive it in and out of the shop. He wrapped tape on his wrench to not risk a scratch. Just a nice kid. Sam's and Costco both just have kids working on the tires and batteries. I've never been disappointed. Didn't you ever have a job like that as a kid??
Besides, I have two ruptured discs and had shoulder surgery last July, I sure as heck couldn't do it!
Besides, I have two ruptured discs and had shoulder surgery last July, I sure as heck couldn't do it!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Battery Installation (onrecess)
Sorry to hear about your back. Hope the prognosis is positive.
I'm curious, isn't the battery in an 87' out in the open of the engine compartment as opposed to tucked under the computer inside the driver's fender area? If so that probably is a different job than on later C4's. Meaning it doesn't require removing body parts, correct? Was it a top post battery or a side post battery? The side post one's are more sensitive on the proper torque of the battery connections, otherwise they tend to come loose.
Poor Bubba gets a bad rap. :flag
I'm curious, isn't the battery in an 87' out in the open of the engine compartment as opposed to tucked under the computer inside the driver's fender area? If so that probably is a different job than on later C4's. Meaning it doesn't require removing body parts, correct? Was it a top post battery or a side post battery? The side post one's are more sensitive on the proper torque of the battery connections, otherwise they tend to come loose.
Poor Bubba gets a bad rap. :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Battery Installation (93JetJocky)
No, you still have to swing the panel on the 87's, they have the support bar going over the batter... but alot easier to get to than on laters w/computer :thumbs:
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton FL
Re: Battery Installation (vinnies87)
That's right, you have to swing the panel out. He had to slip a wrench in to loosen a nut under the panel, I believe. That is where he taped his wrench in case it scratched the paint. Side terminals.
Yeah, let's hear it for the good ol' Bubbas!
They made us great! :flag
Yeah, let's hear it for the good ol' Bubbas!
They made us great! :flag
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
Re: Battery Installation (onrecess)
Now I know my car ('96) isnt any different and when I didi mine recently it wasnt like that at ALL, I didnt like the idea of having body panels hanging and deflecting ect while I was working on it and the only safe way to get the clearence was to start at thr rear wheel well, remove the whole rocker panel, then remove the Gill/ fender panel. The last bolt on the Gill/ fender couldnt be removed iwthout removing the rocker panel. I have had two different '84 models and they were no where near the pain to change as my '96. I was pretty pissed at the design since my car has about 30K miles on it and the battery just crapped out on me resulting in all that taking apart of a car I wont even use soap on the finish of.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Battery Installation (hip_about_time)
hip, you can access the bottom bolt of the gill with an open end wrench, just don't remove it, loosen it enough to get the panel out.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Battery Installation (Mr Mojo)
hip, you can access the bottom bolt of the gill with an open end wrench, just don't remove it, loosen it enough to get the panel out.
I find it kind of funny reading the complaints only that its not that difficult to do a batt swap. We are talking about a few torx screws, two small bolts, and loosen another fender away and you have free access. With the battery out its very easy to clean up in there and reinstall a new one. Sure as time goes on and the vehicle evolves things always get better well for the most part.
I see threads about what people hate and wonder in the year these C4's were designed and built, there was nothing else close to them in design and technology. Sure in ten years manufacturing and technology evolve, but this doesn't make the C4
and all its hi-tech designs bad. If it weren't for them going to the edge here the C5 and C6 wouldn't be what they are today.
I'm genuinely impressed with GM's designs and technology for my Vette. Sometimes while working on it I have to scratch my head on some things but still over all it is still an impressive piece of design and technology.
Sorry didn't me to ramble. :seeya
