Battery Replace: Howto?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2
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Battery Replace: Howto?
I know this to be an obvious overly simple question from someone with very liitle mechanical ability, so don't laugh at me , please, Hey. I am able to change the oil unassisted and on other vehicles have replaced the battery so how hard can it be. :-)
Anyway; 1992 vette, how do I get the darn battery out and the new one in? I can't lift it straight up. It's clear that I have to remove something; which piece? Out the side? Or out the wheel well? How many nuts/bolts?
At least I can locate the battery :-)
Thanks!
Tom
Anyway; 1992 vette, how do I get the darn battery out and the new one in? I can't lift it straight up. It's clear that I have to remove something; which piece? Out the side? Or out the wheel well? How many nuts/bolts?
At least I can locate the battery :-)
Thanks!
Tom
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Troy Illinois
In my 1985 you need to remove the panel in front of the drivers door. If I remember there are three torque screws accesed through the wheel well and a 10 mm bolt on the rear top by the door that needs to be removed and a 10 mm bolt accessed through a small slot down by the rocker panel (only needs to be lossened not removed) panel should then come off to access the battery. Good Luck.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Oxnard CA
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bills1985corvette
In my 1985 you need to remove the panel in front of the drivers door. If I remember there are three torque screws accesed through the wheel well and a 10 mm bolt on the rear top by the door that needs to be removed and a 10 mm bolt accessed through a small slot down by the rocker panel (only needs to be lossened not removed) panel should then come off to access the battery. Good Luck.
However I have been lucky enough so far that I haven't had to replace the battery
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
bills1985Corvette got it right... I scored a battery from Walmart and they offered free installation if you wish to go that route. I also know most local parts stores will do the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Originally Posted by Dogs 86 Vette
However I have been lucky enough so far that I haven't had to replace the battery
Bob
Just take your time on the reinstall of the panel to be sure the alignment is correct. Check the gaps at the door when it opens. Not a hard job at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,094
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
On my 92 I need to remove the side vented panel just behind the front tire. Then remove the 1/2 bolt retaining the the front bottom of the battery. Remove the cables and slide it out sideways.
Its pretty simple but if you are not up to it you should just have it done for you. You definitly DO NOT want to put the wrong cable on the wrong post or ground out the possative battery cable or post.
Please do not take offense to this but if you have to ask, maybe you should not do it yourself. The only reason I say this is I have seen a few batteries blow up over the years because somebody grounded the possative cable or terminal. I have seen what battery acid does to someones face and it isn't good.
I am not trying to scare you but like I said if you are not comfortable with the repair you should seek out a mechanic.
Its pretty simple but if you are not up to it you should just have it done for you. You definitly DO NOT want to put the wrong cable on the wrong post or ground out the possative battery cable or post.
Please do not take offense to this but if you have to ask, maybe you should not do it yourself. The only reason I say this is I have seen a few batteries blow up over the years because somebody grounded the possative cable or terminal. I have seen what battery acid does to someones face and it isn't good.
I am not trying to scare you but like I said if you are not comfortable with the repair you should seek out a mechanic.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
I'm not mechanically inclined, but found it to be a pretty easy job. The only problem that I had was that one of the cables had really corroded itself to the post. I finally got it off by soaking it in Coca-Cola overnight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,094
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
Originally Posted by Lichen
I'm not mechanically inclined, but found it to be a pretty easy job. The only problem that I had was that one of the cables had really corroded itself to the post. I finally got it off by soaking it in Coca-Cola overnight.
You can neutralize battery acid by mixing Baking soda and warm water then pourover the acid area, do this a few times and acid is neutralized.
Just normal yellow box baking soda from the supermarket.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2
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Hey Great! Thanks for the prompt and very helpful replies! Especially the link, wayne88 I knew I could count on you guys. Tell google about your link, I made a serious effort to find this page before posting
BTW, I have no fear or hesitation in actually working with dead batteries, making/breaking connections etc. I just couldn't figure out physiically how to get the darn thing out of the car without dismantaling a whole lot of stuff
Tom
BTW, I have no fear or hesitation in actually working with dead batteries, making/breaking connections etc. I just couldn't figure out physiically how to get the darn thing out of the car without dismantaling a whole lot of stuff
Tom
Race Director
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by SLOWRIDE
If you are not sure let sears or wallmart etc do it for you. JMO 
only because I am a fairly mechanical person... and I almost broke my fender vent cover trying to replace my battery. There is a bolt in between the rocker panel and the vent cover that I was unaware of... needless to say, and thankfully it did not break or tear, but I pulled on it and tugged it before I realized that there was another bolt holding it down. Live and learn I suppose.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Port Orange Florida
Funny, I just did this about an hour ago on my 92...Had a keless entry put-on today and the battery just dies too fast for my comfort.
I ran into one problem.....
The battery retainer bolt spun on me.Try and get that guy out.It was impossible to get from the bottom cause the nut was not in the best shape.I had noticed when I bought this car a couple months ago that the side panel had cracked at the rear 10mm bolt mount.Now I know why.They must have ran into to the same problem at the last battery install time and decided to yank the battery out...hence the broken tray and panel mount.
NOW, I have a broken battery tray...
Not bad but the battery will move a touch. Got her nice and snug so the battery can't wiggle around and wreck everything else...
I ran into one problem.....
The battery retainer bolt spun on me.Try and get that guy out.It was impossible to get from the bottom cause the nut was not in the best shape.I had noticed when I bought this car a couple months ago that the side panel had cracked at the rear 10mm bolt mount.Now I know why.They must have ran into to the same problem at the last battery install time and decided to yank the battery out...hence the broken tray and panel mount.NOW, I have a broken battery tray...
Not bad but the battery will move a touch. Got her nice and snug so the battery can't wiggle around and wreck everything else...