Changing the battery
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Changing the battery
My vette has been in storage for a looooooooooong time for various reasons. I've had to move it several times and I didn't give the battery the love it needed. The battery is now totally fried.
I'm just wondering if there are any surprises in store for me when I go to swap it. It looks pretty straightforward in the service manual, but I thought I'd ask because it's not at home and I won't have all my tools with me. Any tips would be appreciated as it's long past time for her to come home and get back in action :)
This will be my first "mod" in a long time :D
Oops, for got to mention, it's an '89.
[Modified by Silver89, 9:15 PM 9/1/2002]
I'm just wondering if there are any surprises in store for me when I go to swap it. It looks pretty straightforward in the service manual, but I thought I'd ask because it's not at home and I won't have all my tools with me. Any tips would be appreciated as it's long past time for her to come home and get back in action :)
This will be my first "mod" in a long time :D
Oops, for got to mention, it's an '89.
[Modified by Silver89, 9:15 PM 9/1/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Changing the battery (Silver89)
It's realy very easy.
There are two torx screws at the rear of the wheel well, one bolt under the panel and one more at the upper rear, under the flap of weather strip.
Once the battery is out it's a great opportunity to clean up the area under and behind it.
There are two torx screws at the rear of the wheel well, one bolt under the panel and one more at the upper rear, under the flap of weather strip.
Once the battery is out it's a great opportunity to clean up the area under and behind it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Re: Changing the battery (65Z01)
I knew this looked to easy :confused:
How do you get at the bolt on the bottom of the panel? Do you just loosen it and slide the panel out, or does it come right off? There's about 1/4 of space to work with between the fender panel and the rocker panel. The other bolts were relatively easy, but this one is killin me :boxing
Also, the little post things that screw through the cable and into the battery are totally stripped :sad: , anyone know where to get new ones, or is this gonna be quest for the holy grail to find new ones?
It looked so easy, lol
How do you get at the bolt on the bottom of the panel? Do you just loosen it and slide the panel out, or does it come right off? There's about 1/4 of space to work with between the fender panel and the rocker panel. The other bolts were relatively easy, but this one is killin me :boxing
Also, the little post things that screw through the cable and into the battery are totally stripped :sad: , anyone know where to get new ones, or is this gonna be quest for the holy grail to find new ones?
It looked so easy, lol
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Changing the battery (Silver89)
Less then $3.00 for the post screw replacement. Just bought one myself last week from Autozone. That bottom bolt should come out all the way. At least it does on my 88. Then again I usually unbolt the cruise control, tilt the battery sideways, and slide it up and out without removing the panel. It's not too hard and I've done it many times without damaging the panel. Just be careful. :chevy
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Re: Changing the battery (oldman)
Thanks, I got those out without a problem (turning those wheels was a BEAR with no power), it's just that bottom bolt that's killin' me.
I found some info in the archives and I think I know what I'm doing now.
Good to know they sell the posts seperate. I know if I buy them from GM, it'll include the entire electrical system :lol:
I found some info in the archives and I think I know what I'm doing now.
Good to know they sell the posts seperate. I know if I buy them from GM, it'll include the entire electrical system :lol:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Changing the battery (Silver89)
That bottom bolt just takes I believe an open end 10mm wrench; the clip on the panel is slotted and slides past the bolt. So no need to remove it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Changing the battery (Silver89)
It is really easy! How come y'all disassemble the fender/wheelwell? All I've ever done is unbolt that diagonal firewall brace and pull the battery out the top. Takes 3 minutes...
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Changing the battery (gcrouse)
I have done it both ways and have found that it's easier to leave the bottom tor-x bolt in place and the bottom 10mm bolt in place ........ the fender will lay down easily and will give plenty of room to get the battery out......... I did it the UPPER way at the beach one time and this way (unbolting the fender ) is way easier.......... :seeya
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Re: Changing the battery (vettmech)
I can see how you could get it out by just bending the fender, but as a first timer I also managed to lose the upper bolt shim :rolleyes: I didn't know it was there till it went... "plink" and fell behind the fender. Also, I have pretty bad luck and if I try and shortcut, I know I'll break the panel or something. :smash:
Hopefully I'll get it done tonight. I need to get her home for winter modding :chevy
Hopefully I'll get it done tonight. I need to get her home for winter modding :chevy
