DIY Battery replacement
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 116
From: Florida
Rep Power: 23
You have a multi-meter you can test it with? Not impossible to have a completely shorted battery off the shelf, just highly unlikely, I mean HIGHLY unlikely. But even a weak battery should give you some signs of life in the car. Dim lights, weak chime, etc.
Okay, I've replaced a lot of batteries in my cars over the years (especially that 1970 Chevelle 454 - even had to replace the starter in a McDonalds parking lot once..) but my attempt tonight with my TT was not successful.
I mistakenly left my V1 on and when I attempted to take the car out on one of our few sunny days recently everything was dead - ugh, no ride and mad at myself for leaving the V1 on.
I did a little research and was able to open the boot (not the rear hatch) using the fuse box trick and get the correct battery model. I picked up a replacement battery today at Kragen at lunch and spent 10 min taking the old one out tonight and was expecting some noise. alarm, lights when I connected the terminals of the new one, but there was ...nothing.
What's the chance they sold me a dead/uncharged battery? I called and they said it's never happened. Could it be something else if the battery was totally drained??
I tightened the terminals and I got nothing, no lights, no hatch release, no spark, nothing. It's back to Kragen tomorrow with both batteries. Biggest pain is I can't drive the car tomorrow.. :-(
I mistakenly left my V1 on and when I attempted to take the car out on one of our few sunny days recently everything was dead - ugh, no ride and mad at myself for leaving the V1 on.
I did a little research and was able to open the boot (not the rear hatch) using the fuse box trick and get the correct battery model. I picked up a replacement battery today at Kragen at lunch and spent 10 min taking the old one out tonight and was expecting some noise. alarm, lights when I connected the terminals of the new one, but there was ...nothing.
What's the chance they sold me a dead/uncharged battery? I called and they said it's never happened. Could it be something else if the battery was totally drained??
I tightened the terminals and I got nothing, no lights, no hatch release, no spark, nothing. It's back to Kragen tomorrow with both batteries. Biggest pain is I can't drive the car tomorrow.. :-(
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,444
From: San Jose, CA
Rep Power: 101
Me too
Got home from a month business trip and car was dead! Tried to charge with 0 success. Jumped the trunk open and swapped battery- easy.
Having looked through the previous owners receipts looks like the battery has been swapped at least 5x times!! Sounds like these cars really need a tender when left alone for some time.
Having looked through the previous owners receipts looks like the battery has been swapped at least 5x times!! Sounds like these cars really need a tender when left alone for some time.
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
From: Cleveland OH face
Rep Power: 26
I too have the same problem from the car over the off season. MTP-91 is the battery of choice? When i input the info on interstates site it suggested only the mtp-h8 one. Whats the normal price for one of these ?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,076
From: SF Bay area
Rep Power: 83
Okay - feeling a bit silly here.
After taking the 'defective' battery back to the store, the sales guy asked if I pulled the plastic cap off the negative battery post... Doh!
All I can say is it was dark in my garage and I would have thought the cap would have been on the positive side - amazing how the current can flow when there's not a piece of plastic preventing a solid connection - haha...
- Now on to my 'custom' wheel issue.
After taking the 'defective' battery back to the store, the sales guy asked if I pulled the plastic cap off the negative battery post... Doh!
All I can say is it was dark in my garage and I would have thought the cap would have been on the positive side - amazing how the current can flow when there's not a piece of plastic preventing a solid connection - haha...
- Now on to my 'custom' wheel issue.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928
From: Toledo Ohio
Rep Power: 81
My battery went to battery heaven last weekend. I called my mechanic to order a new one. Charge was $110 for a World Pac. Took me all of 10 minutes to install. Just make sure to connect the positive first.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 560
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Rep Power: 47
It's a direct bolt in. And it's cheaper than the MTP H8. I think I paid around $110 for mine, and that's with the CA "core fee" that isn't refundable...
I like to buy my interstate batteries from Firestone, that way if you have any problems you can return it to any firestone, anywhere.
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 25
From: Los Angeles
Rep Power: 16
Optima 34R
My battery acid spilled out and messed up the battery tray. Luckily that was all.
I have been seen some yellow stains on my driveway and under the car for some times and I could not figure out what they were. They are Battery acid overflows.
I took out the battery plate, clean/sand/spary paint it. The battery tray nuts were kind of mess up too. I bought some 8 mm stainless nuts and washers to secured battery tray to the car.
I did some research and found a battery adapter plate for Optima 34 R (no more battery acid issue). It was mad by yellow dog. I did have to buy a 15 (12" better fit) battery connector to replace the negative end becasue the stock one was too short. the stock positive works but I had to loosen to turn it up a bit.
The car started right up.
I have been seen some yellow stains on my driveway and under the car for some times and I could not figure out what they were. They are Battery acid overflows.
I took out the battery plate, clean/sand/spary paint it. The battery tray nuts were kind of mess up too. I bought some 8 mm stainless nuts and washers to secured battery tray to the car.
I did some research and found a battery adapter plate for Optima 34 R (no more battery acid issue). It was mad by yellow dog. I did have to buy a 15 (12" better fit) battery connector to replace the negative end becasue the stock one was too short. the stock positive works but I had to loosen to turn it up a bit.
The car started right up.
Last edited by fjc32; Jan 22, 2012 at 10:40 PM.
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