Changing the battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 192
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From: Egg Harbor Twp, NJ NJ
Changing the battery
Went to start my 95 LT1 coupe this morning and the battery was too weak to crank the engine. Lights still worked but no start.
So right now, I don't know if I need a new battery (present one is 3 1/2 years old).
But if I do I was looking for information on the replacement. I thought I remember a series of posts a year or two back but my search for it has yeilded nothing.
Seems like the lower side panel had to be removed and one of its fastners was difficult to remove.
Does anyone else remember the early discussions and can you point me in its direction?
Does anyone have info on the replacement of this battery. I haven't had a chance to check my maint manual yet.
Also what brand of aftermarket battery is good?
So right now, I don't know if I need a new battery (present one is 3 1/2 years old).
But if I do I was looking for information on the replacement. I thought I remember a series of posts a year or two back but my search for it has yeilded nothing.
Seems like the lower side panel had to be removed and one of its fastners was difficult to remove.
Does anyone else remember the early discussions and can you point me in its direction?
Does anyone have info on the replacement of this battery. I haven't had a chance to check my maint manual yet.
Also what brand of aftermarket battery is good?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
You got it right, taking the panel off is the safe way, you can also just remove the top screws on the panel and bend it back a little and pull the battery up, but it's a gamble to save a few minutes. If you have a long enough extension for your wratchet, it's an easy job.
I bought a battery at Wal-Mart in 04 (battery died, day 1 at a CenDiv) and have had zero problems.
I bought a battery at Wal-Mart in 04 (battery died, day 1 at a CenDiv) and have had zero problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,354
Likes: 2,278
From: Central Maryland
The battery comes out the side, which does require removal of the gill-vent panel. It comes off fairly easily.
Remove the screws (three, if I recall correctly) that secure the leading edge of the panel to the inner fenderwell panel.
Remove the screw that comes down from above to secure the upper-rear corner of the panel.
Loosen, but don't remove, the screw that comes up from below to secure the lower-rear corner of the panel. You'll need to drop the front end of the rocker panel a bit to get to this screw. Remove the first two or three screws that come up from below, and the first two or three screws that go in from the side, and the rocker panel will drop far enough for you to get a box-end or open-end wrench on that last gill-vent panel screw.
Make sure you get the gill-vent panel reinstalled in the same position as it was removed, so that you don't have clearance issues with the door as it opens and closes.
Be well,
SJW
Remove the screws (three, if I recall correctly) that secure the leading edge of the panel to the inner fenderwell panel.
Remove the screw that comes down from above to secure the upper-rear corner of the panel.
Loosen, but don't remove, the screw that comes up from below to secure the lower-rear corner of the panel. You'll need to drop the front end of the rocker panel a bit to get to this screw. Remove the first two or three screws that come up from below, and the first two or three screws that go in from the side, and the rocker panel will drop far enough for you to get a box-end or open-end wrench on that last gill-vent panel screw.
Make sure you get the gill-vent panel reinstalled in the same position as it was removed, so that you don't have clearance issues with the door as it opens and closes.
Be well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It is much safer to completely remove the side panel just like they describe in the magazine article. You see on the bottom of the panel is not a screw hole but rather a screw slot. Thus once you just loosen the screw from the bottom you can just pull the panel straight to you and it will slide out 
