Help Dropped Wrench
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 54
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Help Dropped Wrench
I was checkng to make sure my battery cables were tight and dropped the small 6 inch wrench. Can't find it. I think it might have slid under the battery tray. Should I take the battery out and start searching or can I forget about it. I know this seems crazy but such is my luck. I have really searched and felt around looking for it. I tried a long magnet tool they you use to lift dropped magnetic things with no luck. By the way using a magnet in that area shouldn't cause problems right? Please your cooments. You guys have been great before.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
I would get it out. It may be lodged against a wire harness and may rub through in time. Remove the battery or the access panel behind the right front wheel for better access if need be.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,526
Likes: 1,195
From: Dyer, IN
I was checkng to make sure my battery cables were tight and dropped the small 6 inch wrench. Can't find it. I think it might have slid under the battery tray. Should I take the battery out and start searching or can I forget about it. I know this seems crazy but such is my luck. I have really searched and felt around looking for it. I tried a long magnet tool they you use to lift dropped magnetic things with no luck. By the way using a magnet in that area shouldn't cause problems right? Please your cooments. You guys have been great before.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Take out the tray and flush under it with baking soda
If your C5 is like thousands of othere then theres battery acid all over the harnesses and the computer under the tray. Mine had eaten the vacuum lines and the HVAC vents wouldn't work. After removing the cables theres one bolt holding the battery to the tray and 4 bolts holding the tray to the frame. Take em all out. Find your wrench (OR NOT) and apply a gallon or two of warm baking soda and water all over everything under the battery. Flush liberally with clear water and let dry. If paint is missing because of the acid repaint the area before reassembling. Not a nice job in the winter, (I did mine in the summer) but one worth doing.
BIGHANK
BIGHANK
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
If your C5 is like thousands of othere then theres battery acid all over the harnesses and the computer under the tray. Mine had eaten the vacuum lines and the HVAC vents wouldn't work. After removing the cables theres one bolt holding the battery to the tray and 4 bolts holding the tray to the frame. Take em all out. Find your wrench (OR NOT) and apply a gallon or two of warm baking soda and water all over everything under the battery. Flush liberally with clear water and let dry. If paint is missing because of the acid repaint the area before reassembling. Not a nice job in the winter, (I did mine in the summer) but one worth doing. BIGHANK
BIGHANK
That is what I was going to say. The tray comes out easy enough and it would be a good PM project to check if any acid leaked down on your PCM and frame. Clean it up, get your wrench and move on with the piece of mind you are in good shape under the battery. Now would be a good time to put an acid absorbing mat under the battery in the tray on the reinstall. Cheap insurance for future leaks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I dropped a ratchet into the campartment below the battery while I was changing my battery at the local auto zone. Went in and bought extension magnet and fished it out, no harm done, other than the harm done to my body by stressing out. But if you are at home, might be a good time to inspect the area below the battery as previously stated.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
From: Chicago, Illinois
Dropped Wrench
Hello from Chicago. I have dropped several sockets down in that battery area and the easiest way to retrieve anything is to take out the battery, remove the tray it sits on, only three or four screws and the tray lifts right out and opens the whole area under the battery. Easier to do this than remove the wheel well covers etc. Good luck.
RJ
Suburban Chicago
RJ
Suburban Chicago
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 54
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Dropped Wrench
I want to thank everyone for their replies. I pulled the battery and the tray could not find it. I really don't want to put the car on a lift,pull the tire and the access panel. I called the dealer and I know the service writer there and he said he wouldn't worry about it unless where ever it was it rattled. The way I look at it everything down there is metal anyway so what harm can it do. I know sounds like alot of excuses but its only a small wrench. But I would really like to know where it went. In the upper right hand corner down below is the dark hole. Thanks again.
