Hi everyone

Very simple simple ? here...My battery died on me and have to replace it tomorrow im hoping. Just has enough juice to keep inside on but wont start. My fault for not disconnecting over winter ...my question is....

Is there anything I need to know special about changing the vette battery??? I know how to change one lol, but never did with any of my other vettes...just want to make sure there is nothing special or surprising I should know or do????

...did you also use the same battery brand (ac delco) if you changed yours out also ???

Thanks for the quick help and taking the time..

 

Very easy to swap them out. I replaced mine with an ac delco because mine was still under warranty. Lots of people like the optima batteries. I'm sure you will get lots of info on the different batteries.

 

easy swap get a setting keeper from auto zone 5 bucks to save your settings good luck

 

thanks guys for the help...just wanted to make sure!! appreciate it!!

 

Just a hold down bolt and the two post to disconnect. The current AC Delco battery also comes with a free replacement within the first 30 months. $85 new. from dealer.

You may have codes that should be cleared afterwards. I didn't notice what year and what tranny, lets hope if yours is the wrong model it has had the electronic column lock issue dealt with. Low voltage on the ECM buss causes the ECL failure.

Good luck. Don't over torque the hold down bolt. Just snug it, no reason to crack a brand new battery. Make sure your connections are clean. Baking soda and water flush if there is corrosion.

I believe the only settings affected are the HUD setting and the time.

 

Its an 04 coupe....appreciate the help!

 

Almost, if it's an automatic your good, if it is an MN6 hope you have the bypass module installed.

 

Okey, I am doing a battery replacement soon, and all happy reading above thread....I can do it! Now you hit me with the above bypass module?!? I have a manual 03 Vette, does this apply and what the heck is a bypass module? Thanks, ROB:

 

Do yourself a favor an buy yourself the little ratchet wrench made for changing the side mount battery. Makes it very simple and you have to have a 1/2" socket with long stem to get the battery holder bolt out at the bottom. Also make sure there is no leakage into the pan below the battery. It can run down on the cumputer below it.

I got my battery at costco, 1000 CA, 850 CCA, 36 months free replacement and graduated to 100 months %. About $80

 

Yes it applies.

ECL, electronic column lock. Had a formal recall, Chevy did a terrible job with this one and amended the recall three times and still didn't get it right and pretty much gave up. Without going into all the details, a quick start or low voltage on the ECM will trigger a Service Column Lock which locks the steering column. The best and I consider the only solution is the column lock bypass module. Sold by a number of places, such as Corvette of Houston, for about $45, installs in about 20 minutes. The process involves turning the key on so the actuator retracts the pin, a fuse is pulled and then power disconnected from the actuator permanently removes the power and it won't activate again. The module is plugged into to trick the computer (ECM) to think everything is ok and it won't set the DLC (error code).

I should add, reference Recall Bulletin 04006C

 

What is this setting keeper from Auto Zone and how do you hook it up to save your settings?

 

Basically a nine volt battery plugged into the lighter/accessory socket. Applies low voltage to the buss. But as I mentioned only two items are affected.

 

Just my 0.02c

The GM spec for the Vette which requires a Cold Cranking Ampage (CCA) of 500A and a reserve capacity of 80 minutes. There are plenty of choices that meet that spec.

Changing the battery is straight forward.

Disconnect the negative cable first
Disconnect the positive cable
Remove the battery hold down retainer bolt (13mm IIRC)
Lift out the battery
Clean the terminals before reconnecting
Insert the new battery and make sure the notch on the base of the battery is under the lip of the battery tray.
Reattach the positive cable and torque to 15 N-m (11 lb ft)
Reattach the negative cable and torque to 16 N-m (12 lb ft)
Reinsert the battery hold down retainer bolt and torque to 18 N-m (13 lb ft)

Don’t forget that if you have a stock radio, turn the security feature off before you disconnect or the radio will lock up.

 

Jet Jock is referring to a Column Lock Bypass. Unlikely to be a problem on a battery change but if the battery slowly dies it can cause unmodified cars to have column lock problems. CLB is the best mod to avoid this and if you have an MN6 its worth fitting as a precaution. A $50 mod and you can rest easy.

 

LOL, I never set mine, nor did the original owner either, so I always about this one when commenting. Good catch.

 

You might consider putting a battery spill pad underneath the battery.

777

 

The only problem with this suggestion is the pad raises the battery up to high for the lip to engaged the hold-down on the firewall side therefore the battery cannot be secured by the hold-down block. Good thought though as I tried it myself. It's best to monitor the batteryvisually from time to time.

 

I had to change out my battery a few months ago. All I did:

Took out the old one
Took it to AutoZone
Purchased a Optima Red Top
Put in, clamped down
Hooked up cables
Started and drove car

Taking battery out - if you have the tools - about 3 minutes time
Putting battery in - 3 minutes time to hook everything back up. then another 5 minutes to try to figure out why your not smart enough to make the little Rubber retainer stay in place while you tighten it down so the battery will not move.

I did not have any issues with radio not working or any other problems with the battery change - and I completely forgot about any security issues with the radio!

 

I'll bite, how do you turn off the security feature on the radio?

Thanks,

 

Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power has been interrupted. If your battery loses power
for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret
code before it will operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter
your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system.
It is recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between
any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and
you must start the procedure over at Step 4.

Write down any three or four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate
from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 pushbuttons at the same time.
Hold them down until --- shows on the display.
Next you will use the secret code number which
you have written down.
5. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
8. Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure.
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature
After a Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display.
2. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour with
the ignition on before you can try again. When you try
again, you will only have three chances to enter the
correct code before INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.

Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 pushbuttons at the same time.
Hold them down until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show ---, indicating that the radio
is no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won’t turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
To unlock a secured radio, see “Unlocking the
Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss” earlier
in this section.