Over the life of a vehicle, you will at some point need to disconnect the engine battery for a variety of reasons, from regular car maintenance to a full engine repair. While it may seem daunting, the process is very simple and can be completed in minutes if you know how.
Step
Step 1. Apply the necessary precautions before attempting to remove the battery
In addition to containing a life-threatening electrical charge, batteries also contain corrosive agents that can produce flammable gases. Before removing the car battery, take the following safety steps.
- Turn off the vehicle engine.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your eyes and hands.
Step 2. Locate the negative terminal on the top of the car battery
Usually this terminal has a black cover. The battery itself usually has a minus sign near the connector post. The positive terminal usually has a red cap or a plus sign near its connection post.
Step 3. Determine the required socket size required to loosen the bolt on the negative terminal
When disconnecting the battery, always work the negative terminal first before the positive.
- Take the socket out of the tool and hold it close, but not until it twists the bolt on the battery negative terminal. Determine the required socket size to visually loosen the bolts.
- Insert the appropriate sized socket in the wrench. You may need to attach a wrench holder to reach the bolt.
- Install the wrench on the negative terminal of the battery and turn it counterclockwise (remember, right is tight, left is loose). Twist several times until loose.
- Pull the negative connector out of the battery after you loosen the bolt. Set it aside so that the connector can't touch the battery while you're working.
- If the wires are plugged into the terminals of the battery, you may need a special battery cable disconnect tool to remove the negative connector. Try asking at a repair shop or auto parts store.
Step 4. Follow the same procedure to disconnect the positive terminal
After disconnecting it from the terminal, do not allow the positive connector to touch the metal parts of the car. There is a residual current in the system which, if it touches a metal surface, will disrupt or damage the electrical circuits in the vehicle.
Step 5. Get on with the work
If the battery cable connection is disconnected, you can safely carry out repairs on the vehicle's electrical components. If you just need to insert a new battery, follow these few simple steps.
- Once the battery connection is disconnected, unscrew the bracket screws that secure it to the bin.
- Lift the battery straight up until the tray pops out. Keep in mind that car batteries can weigh up to 18 kg, so ask for help if needed.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the tray and battery cables with the baking soda solution and dry them before trying to install a new car battery.
- Place the new battery in the tray and tighten the clamp.
- Connect the wire for the positive terminal first. Do not forget to tighten the bolts on each side of the battery.
- Close the hood and start the car.
- Dispose of used batteries properly. The repair shop or parts store where you bought your new battery will likely want to take the old battery as part of its service. If not, take it to a recycling center or automotive garage. These places usually want to buy used batteries.
Tips
- Remove all jewelry on the body, especially rings and necklaces.
- A standard car battery can produce several hundred amperes of car current, which is roughly equal to the amount of current used by electric welding. DO NOT test the battery charge by touching the positive and negative terminals with a metal tool. This current is very high and can damage the equipment and also endanger your life.
- The battery in a hybrid vehicle produces more than 300 volts, which is already at a life-threatening level. If you need to work on the electrical components in a hybrid vehicle, disable the high-voltage battery in the back of the car first. This cable is usually color coded orange. Use insulated equipment and gloves when working to reduce the risk of electric shock. Be sure to strictly follow the manufacturer's procedures for disconnecting the hybrid battery as it usually involves many additional steps.
- Work outdoors, which is safe from gas deposits.
- Tie the wires away from the battery so they don't touch the battery terminals again and cause a spark or short circuit.
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear.
