96 Battery ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 0
From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
96 Battery ?
Hey everyone,
If the search worked, I would not need to ask this question, which I'm sure has been answered numerous times.
For those that have a 96 or even a 95, with original battery, do you know how long the life expectancy is? How long did yours last before having to replace it? is your original still going strong? What exact brand did you replace it with? and could you re-post the step by step instructions for removal and the exact tools required. Thanks for your replies.
:seeya
If the search worked, I would not need to ask this question, which I'm sure has been answered numerous times.
For those that have a 96 or even a 95, with original battery, do you know how long the life expectancy is? How long did yours last before having to replace it? is your original still going strong? What exact brand did you replace it with? and could you re-post the step by step instructions for removal and the exact tools required. Thanks for your replies.
:seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Re: 96 Battery ? (C4Girl1996)
I have a 95. The first battery was replaced by the dealer (under warranty) at just about exactly 3 years. The second battery went south at just about exactly 6 years (i.e., 3 years later). Based on my experiences with this and other recent cars I have owned, 3 years seems to be the typical life expectancy. What's worse, in the "old days" I recall getting ample warning when a battery was going bad and you could always squeeze more life by charging. Seems like modern cars/batteries give no warning (it just suddenly won't even click one day) and charging does not seem to help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 901
Likes: 15
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Re: 96 Battery ? (C4Girl1996)
Boy I'm sure I've seen the step by step directions with photos somewhere, but can't rememeber where. The 'easy' way is to remove the 'gill' panel and get the battery out from the side. Otherwise you have to take everything off that's above it. There are two nuts securing the bottom of the panel (which you reach through the crack), two on the top (have to push aside the weatherstrip), and three on the rear edge of the wheelwell. Never had good luck with these 'small' size batteries. They don't last all that long.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: 96 Battery ? (C4Girl1996)
It's a crapshoot with any stock battery on how long it will last... I've had them last 6 years and I've also seen them die after 2 weeks...
As far as replacing them in a C4 it's very easy... 10mm wrench to take off the upper and lower bolts on the rocker panel... And 2 star bits (can't remember the sizes) to remove the rocker panel from the wheel well... I'll try to remember to check in the morning so you don't have to buy or dig up any unecessary tools...
I have a battery wrench so I can't remember the size for the side post bolts, but 1/4" sounds right, you might want to check on it...
Also, make sure if you go aftermarket that you don't get a battery with both side and top posts... The top posts will interfere with the cruise control bracket and you'll have to modify it to make them work... I have an Optima getting ready to go back into my C4 so I'll have to either cut the top post off or notch the bracket again...
Then there's the hold down on the rear of the battery I believe it's 13mm with a 12" extention to reach down behind the battery...
It's about a 20 minute job going at a normal pace with all the tools...
As far as replacing them in a C4 it's very easy... 10mm wrench to take off the upper and lower bolts on the rocker panel... And 2 star bits (can't remember the sizes) to remove the rocker panel from the wheel well... I'll try to remember to check in the morning so you don't have to buy or dig up any unecessary tools...
I have a battery wrench so I can't remember the size for the side post bolts, but 1/4" sounds right, you might want to check on it...
Also, make sure if you go aftermarket that you don't get a battery with both side and top posts... The top posts will interfere with the cruise control bracket and you'll have to modify it to make them work... I have an Optima getting ready to go back into my C4 so I'll have to either cut the top post off or notch the bracket again...
Then there's the hold down on the rear of the battery I believe it's 13mm with a 12" extention to reach down behind the battery...
It's about a 20 minute job going at a normal pace with all the tools...
Advanced
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Re: 96 Battery ? (96BLKTN)
Hey 96BLKTN, what part number Optima did you get, and did it have top posts in addition to the side mounts?
I wanted to use an Optima a couple years ago and the part identified by Optima (and fit the tray perfectly) had top posts and the positive post interfered with the metal bracket that angles across the top of the battery in my 95. I had to go with a "regular" battery without top posts because I didn't want to modify the tray or the bracket. I complained to Optima and they said they didn't have a version in that size without top posts but were working on one. I took that as famous last words, but if they actually have one that fits correctly it would be nice to know for next time.
I wanted to use an Optima a couple years ago and the part identified by Optima (and fit the tray perfectly) had top posts and the positive post interfered with the metal bracket that angles across the top of the battery in my 95. I had to go with a "regular" battery without top posts because I didn't want to modify the tray or the bracket. I complained to Optima and they said they didn't have a version in that size without top posts but were working on one. I took that as famous last words, but if they actually have one that fits correctly it would be nice to know for next time.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: 96 Battery ? (96BLKTN)
Yea it does have the top posts. I kept the plastic covers on and cut a 5/8" hose to go over the brace. After it is tighted down ZERO movement.
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