Does anyone do a mobile car battery replacement? [Very old thread]

[photon]

My car battery is pretty old, and it didn't have any cranking power over the cold weather, so I figure it's time for a new one.

Problem is my car won't start (it's not dead, just almost zero cranking power, even this morning), and rather than pay to get it boosted AND pay for a new battery, you'd think there would be someone offering a service to come out and just replace your battery.

Anyone heard of such a service?

I'm leery of replacing the battery myself, not sure how hard it is in my car and I don't want to wreck any of the electrical stuff.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by photon

My car battery is pretty old, and it didn't have any cranking power over the cold weather, so I figure it's time for a new one.

Problem is my car won't start (it's not dead, just almost zero cranking power, even this morning), and rather than pay to get it boosted AND pay for a new battery, you'd think there would be someone offering a service to come out and just replace your battery.

Anyone heard of such a service?

I'm leery of replacing the battery myself, not sure how hard it is in my car and I don't want to wreck any of the electrical stuff.

AMA will do it on the spot. Not sure if you have to be a member though.

-Scott

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by photon

My car battery is pretty old, and it didn't have any cranking power over the cold weather, so I figure it's time for a new one.

Problem is my car won't start (it's not dead, just almost zero cranking power, even this morning), and rather than pay to get it boosted AND pay for a new battery, you'd think there would be someone offering a service to come out and just replace your battery.

Anyone heard of such a service?

I'm leery of replacing the battery myself, not sure how hard it is in my car and I don't want to wreck any of the electrical stuff.

Not sure why you have to pay for a boost. Just ask a neighbour.
As for replacing the battery, it's a pretty straight forward process.
Hell, if you're at all worried about it, I'm sure there are step by step instructions in your car's manual.

Replacing the battery is the easiest thing you can do to get your car back up and running.

Give it a shot, you'll likely save yourself some money.

Edit: Heck, I'm sure Canadian Tire will install it (probably for free) if you buy a battery from them.

[photon]

I'm just scared I'll blow myself up

I had to take the wife's vehicle to work and I won't be home until late tonight, and I don't like leaving her without a car, so I figured if I could get someone out to fix it up it would be worth the extra $$ to me.

[photon]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

AMA will do it on the spot. Not sure if you have to be a member though.

Cool they do have a "Battery Express" service, but members only

[Bobblehead]

The only tricky thing with replacing a battery is remembering to clean the connector. The last time I did it, I forgot ans was angry when the car wouldn't turn over. Then I grabbed the wire brush, cleaned the contacts, and golden after that.

[photon]

Hm.. well if I try and replace it and die in a fire I'm coming back and wiping the forum.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by photon

Hm.. well if I try and replace it and die in a fire I'm coming back and wiping the forum.

It's pretty tough to screw up, the worst you can really do is blow a fuse in your car.

As for starting a fire, or electrocuting yourself, it's only 12v, so it's not dangerous at all.

[Bobblehead]

Just follow your owner's manual and you'll be fine.

[FlamesAddiction]

I just replaced my gf's yesterday. It's really easy.

Just make sure the battery you get has the same dimensions, otherwise you will be pulling on cables and such.

Those fasteners that hold the batteries in place can be a bit of pain too. The nuts are usually ceased, and the area is often cramped so it hard to get them off. WD40 is your friend.

[metal_geek]

Easy to do...

Careful not to touch both terminals at the same time with a wrench or something... That's about the only way you can cause yourself grief
________
Difference Between Lsd And Mushrooms

[ken0042]

I have to echo what has been said- pretty hard to screw up. Just be sure you know that red is positive and black is negative. Also as for "not blowing stuff up", make sure the key is not in the ignition when you change the battery. If the key is set to off, there is no power connection to the computer.

[4X4]

I don't know of any mobile battery services... But if you want to DIY it's super easy. There'll be one bolt holding down a plastic thingy that is holding down the battery. You'll probably need a ratchet with an extension to get to it. It'll be easy to see, but down at the base of the battery with not much space to get your hand down there. You don't have to take this thing all the way off, just loosen it enough that you can jiggle the battery out.
Other than that, the only thing holding your battery in your car are the two post connections.
If they're top post, a 1/2" wrench or a crescent wrench will get them out easily.
Side posts will probably require a ~3/8 socket to remove.
Remember that the only "power" a car has comes from the battery, so once you disconnect one of the posts, there is no way to "blow yourself up". Just be careful not to ground the wrench while loosening the positive connector. That's about the only thing that can go wrong. And even that will just be a few sparks.

The most important thing about battery replacement is cleaning the posts when installing the new battery. There is a tool you can buy for ~$5.00 that has a wire brush in the handle and a female wire brush for top posts. Scrape those posts and scrape the connectors on your car until they're rough and shiny.
Attach your connectors and tighten snugly, but don't go Hercules on them. If they're lead top post connectors, they'll crack and you'll have another hour of work replacing those.
Only other thing to keep in mind when replacing the battery is at the purchase counter... You need to buy a battery that is physically similar to the one in your car. There aren't that many choices and the guy at the counter will probably know, based on what car you're doing it for.

Try it, man! It's sooo easy. It really is 95% logic. Once you're looking at it, it's pretty obvious what to do. You'll be a hero for a day and you'll save at least a hundred bucks...

[Ironhorse]

^^^^

Pretty much what he said. Tell the dude at the counter what vehicle it is for, install it, and go for a little drive to get it charged up to 100%.

Heck, I'd come and do it for you if I wasn't working.

[photon]

I guess I'll give it a try, I can't do it until tomorrow so when I get home tonight I'll take a look and see how tough it'll be to get at.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by 4X4

The most important thing about battery replacement is cleaning the posts when installing the new battery. There is a tool you can buy for ~$5.00 that has a wire brush in the handle and a female wire brush for top posts. Scrape those posts and scrape the connectors on your car until they're rough and shiny.

Not a bad idea to add a little vaseline - or any petroleum jelly, just not "grease" - to prevent corrosion/acid condensation at the terminals, too.

[kermitology]

What's the worst that can happen? I shocked myself with one phase of three phase 115v 400Hz the other day.. That tickled!

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by metal_geek

Easy to do...

Careful not to touch both terminals at the same time with a wrench or something... That's about the only way you can cause yourself grief

I did that once. I still have the adjustable wrench with the giant melt mark where it completed the connection.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by photon

I guess I'll give it a try, I can't do it until tomorrow so when I get home tonight I'll take a look and see how tough it'll be to get at.

Good shiz... And if you don't have the necessary socket/ratchet set, a half decent one is less than a hundred bucks. It needs both metric and imperial plus an assortment of deep sockets and a couple of extensions. A 'made in India' set'll cost you less than $40.

Originally Posted by pope04

Not a bad idea to add a little vaseline - or any petroleum jelly, just not "grease" - to prevent corrosion/acid condensation at the terminals, too.

I used to do that. I was taught that by my mom's old school b/f "Mr. Mechanic"... I started cutting that corner the minute I was working in my own garage and have never noticed a difference. As long as there is a good, clean connection (scrape those posts), everything should be fine.

[ricosuave]

http://www.ehow.com/tips_512.html

- most important, remove the negative first, and replace it last