Changing Battery
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 11
From: Glendale AZ
Changing Battery
Is it possible to change the car battery but keep all the electronics powered up while doing so? A lot of threads start off "I changed the battery and then all kinds of weird stuff started to happen".
David in Arizona
David in Arizona
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I have an '04 and used a "memory saver" 9V powered widget to maintain the memory while I changed out my oem battery to an OPTIMA. I found the device years ago at PEPBOYS. The caveat is not to start the car with the device still plugged into the cigarette lighter. That has caused problems for some owners according to their posts.
The computers/modules/memory draw lots of power, so the 9V battery won't last long. I used it for only the time to R&R the batteries, maybe 15 minutes. I had no electrical gremlins afterwards and all of my memory features were retained.
I've since read that the later model GM vehicles don't lose all of their memory functions when disconnecting the battery as did the older models.
Why don't you contact the service manager of your favorite local GM dealership and ask how they do it...or contact XTREME MOTORSPORTS in Tempe and ask them...
The computers/modules/memory draw lots of power, so the 9V battery won't last long. I used it for only the time to R&R the batteries, maybe 15 minutes. I had no electrical gremlins afterwards and all of my memory features were retained.
I've since read that the later model GM vehicles don't lose all of their memory functions when disconnecting the battery as did the older models.
Why don't you contact the service manager of your favorite local GM dealership and ask how they do it...or contact XTREME MOTORSPORTS in Tempe and ask them...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jun 3, 2008 at 07:48 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Arizona
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: Elkins Park PA
Just DON'T kill the power right before your emissions test. Your computer saves up emissions data for the test, that data will be lost and you will fail the test if you don't have the required number of starts & miles stored up. You can avoid this problem by either NOT changing the battery right before the test, or by a 9V jumper as described above.
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I have an '04 and used a "memory saver" 9V powered widget to maintain the memory while I changed out my oem battery to an OPTIMA. I found the device years ago at PEPBOYS. The caveat is not to start the car with the device still plugged into the cigarette lighter. That has caused problems for some owners according to their posts.
The computers/modules/memory draw lots of power, so the 9V battery won't last long. I used it for only the time to R&R the batteries, maybe 15 minutes. I had no electrical gremlins afterwards and all of my memory features were retained.
I've since read that the later model GM vehicles don't lose all of their memory functions when disconnecting the battery as did the older models.
Why don't you contact the service manager of your favorite local GM dealership and ask how they do it...or contact XTREME MOTORSPORTS in Tempe and ask them...
The computers/modules/memory draw lots of power, so the 9V battery won't last long. I used it for only the time to R&R the batteries, maybe 15 minutes. I had no electrical gremlins afterwards and all of my memory features were retained.
I've since read that the later model GM vehicles don't lose all of their memory functions when disconnecting the battery as did the older models.
Why don't you contact the service manager of your favorite local GM dealership and ask how they do it...or contact XTREME MOTORSPORTS in Tempe and ask them...
They work, but not for long.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I had the battery disconnected yesterday to replace a master cylinder and the only thing that was lost was the clock setting. It had been disconnected for several days because I had to order the master cylinder....no problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
Do a search on "Optima battery" and then grab a beer and some popcorn. There are more discussion about Optima batteries than almost anything else.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Don't quite get what you mean about the battery hold down no longer functions. The Optima battery clamps down in the C5 just like the OEM battery does. No problems that I know of.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
