Battery Install
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 99
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From: Orlando Fl
Battery Install
How difficult is it to change out the battery? I have a 2000 with original AC elco and want to change it out with an optima red top. any links out there with step by step instructions? Thanks Duds
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Disconnest the negative (black) cable first and then the positive cable. Unscrew the bolt holding the hold-down block at the front center of the battery's base. Lift the battery carefully out of the tray, pulling it foward first to clear the lip at the back of the tray.
Check the tray carefully for acid or corrosion that may have leaked out of the battery if it's an older non-AGM or gel-cell battery. If you do find signs of a leak, you'll need to pull the tray and wheel well liner and check the PCM for damage. Cleanup can be accomplished with a baking soda/water solution.
If all looks fine, proceed with the new battery install, reversing the removal of the old battery. Connect the red positive cable first and then the negative. If you're installing an Optima, you may want to contact them and ask about their better hold-down block. They sent me one for free. You can see it in the pic below.
Check the tray carefully for acid or corrosion that may have leaked out of the battery if it's an older non-AGM or gel-cell battery. If you do find signs of a leak, you'll need to pull the tray and wheel well liner and check the PCM for damage. Cleanup can be accomplished with a baking soda/water solution.
If all looks fine, proceed with the new battery install, reversing the removal of the old battery. Connect the red positive cable first and then the negative. If you're installing an Optima, you may want to contact them and ask about their better hold-down block. They sent me one for free. You can see it in the pic below.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
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From: Garfield Heights (AKA:Garbage Hts.) Ohio USA
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Oldtimer
I installed the 34/78 Sunday and like the others have said, it's easy. If your interested in a nice battery cover they are $13.99 at http://www.batteries.com/productprof...p?appid=320135
Last edited by dadvan99; Mar 25, 2005 at 04:47 PM. Reason: battery cover only fits the 34/78
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with what Patches said. It really is very easy. Hardest part is lifing the battery out of the car.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Orlando Fl
Sounds EZ
Thanks for the input.. I did noit realize how EZ the change out is, One other question, what is the diference between the Optime Red top 34-78 and the 75-25? any preferences for our C5's
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,501
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Originally Posted by duds
Thanks for the input.. I did noit realize how EZ the change out is, One other question, what is the diference between the Optime Red top 34-78 and the 75-25? any preferences for our C5's
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 426
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From: Annapolis MD
Originally Posted by duds
Thanks for the input.. I did noit realize how EZ the change out is, One other question, what is the diference between the Optime Red top 34-78 and the 75-25? any preferences for our C5's
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You guys have all missed the single biggest hazard - I can't believe it! 
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again!
I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! 
And no one ask me how I know this!!! 
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again!
I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor MI
Originally Posted by Patches
Disconnest the negative (black) cable first and then the positive cable. Unscrew the bolt holding the hold-down block at the front center of the battery's base. Lift the battery carefully out of the tray, pulling it foward first to clear the lip at the back of the tray.
Check the tray carefully for acid or corrosion that may have leaked out of the battery if it's an older non-AGM or gel-cell battery. If you do find signs of a leak, you'll need to pull the tray and wheel well liner and check the PCM for damage. Cleanup can be accomplished with a baking soda/water solution.
If all looks fine, proceed with the new battery install, reversing the removal of the old battery. Connect the red positive cable first and then the negative. If you're installing an Optima, you may want to contact them and ask about their better hold-down block. They sent me one for free. You can see it in the pic below.
Check the tray carefully for acid or corrosion that may have leaked out of the battery if it's an older non-AGM or gel-cell battery. If you do find signs of a leak, you'll need to pull the tray and wheel well liner and check the PCM for damage. Cleanup can be accomplished with a baking soda/water solution.
If all looks fine, proceed with the new battery install, reversing the removal of the old battery. Connect the red positive cable first and then the negative. If you're installing an Optima, you may want to contact them and ask about their better hold-down block. They sent me one for free. You can see it in the pic below.
... it took longer to type + post that reply than it will to replace the battery.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Clayton North Carolina
Just A Note I also will be getting an Optima tonight or tomorrow, I also called Optima and they told me that the 75/35 is no longer, the new number is now the 75/25 same battery. They said 75/25 is the number for a 2001 vette. They must have made some fitment changes.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
You guys have all missed the single biggest hazard - I can't believe it!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again! I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again!
I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!! 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
You guys have all missed the single biggest hazard - I can't believe it!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again! I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again!
I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!! 
Hold on tight to the fender, or you might fall into that black hole and never be seen.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 71
From: Upstate NY
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
You guys have all missed the single biggest hazard - I can't believe it!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again! I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!!
Don't drop your wrench....if it falls into that black hole under the battery tray, you'll never see it again!
I swear that hole goes to infinity and beyond!! And no one ask me how I know this!!!