40 replies to this topic

[Purebob]

So I've tried trickle charging my battery in situ but its truly buggered. How exactly do I get the battery up through the nest of cables and wires ? I've removed the washer bottle bracket and the termnal clamps and theres plenty of room in the bay itself, but the access chimney is a MESS. Do I REALLY have to remove the wiring loom, heater cable, heater pipe or is there a clever way like turning the battery on its side before removal that might work ? or is teh best way through the bottom with the floorpan removed ? Seriously PISSING me off now ! HELP !!!! Thanks !

[jneill]

I got the RAC to do mine And yup I think they had to disconnect everything first. Rather them than me. Good luck PB

[nat]

So I've tried trickle charging my battery in situ but its truly buggered. How exactly do I get the battery up through the nest of cables and wires ? I've removed the washer bottle bracket and the termnal clamps and theres plenty of room in the bay itself, but the access chimney is a MESS.

Do I REALLY have to remove the wiring loom, heater cable, heater pipe or is there a clever way like turning the battery on its side before removal that might work ? or is teh best way through the bottom with the floorpan removed ?

Seriously PISSING me off now !

HELP !!!!

Thanks !

Hi

I understand your frustration! Been there!!

Didn't have to disconnect anything, but you will need 2 pairs of hands. One to hold all wiring etc. to one side and the other to remove the battery.

We tied some rope to one end of the battery to enable us to turn it and get leverage on it.

Lets put it this way, if you have RAC/AA cover then beleive me its the better option.

The job took at least a couple of hours, scraped knuckles and extreemly angry people!

Good luck to you

[Purebob]

sh*t ! fcuk ! This is REALLY pissing me off now. With a third arm and a winch on the ceiling I might just make it. Probably not though. What a fcuking stupid design, putting a consumable in the car FIRST then installing the fcuking brake pipes and electrics ! No wonder people buy Hondas....

[nat]

sh*t ! fcuk !

This is REALLY pissing me off now. With a third arm and a winch on the ceiling I might just make it. Probably not though.

What a fcuking stupid design, putting a consumable in the car FIRST then installing the fcuking brake pipes and electrics !

No wonder people buy Hondas....

We had to turn the battery sideways to get it out, as the hole left to remove it is smaller than the battery itself.

If you perservere (sp?) you will manage it

[Purebob]

Howso sideways ? Up on its end ?

[nat]

Howso sideways ? Up on its end ?

Yeah, on its end.

Please note - be extreemly careful which end, as acid can spill out (found out hard way!)

[Purebob]

Done it. Piece of p*ss. Anybody want to know the secret ? My dad's advice from YEARS ago.

[NickH]

Come on then I'm intrigued

[ajussi]

if in doubt pull like fcuk?

[Purebob]

Soz, just went to buy a new battery. What I did was undid everything, then took a broade leathe belt , fastened into a loop and hooked it over the battery. Used this to control it in a stable way. Turned it up on its end, then pulled it out with my right hand while I moved cables and stuff away with my left. Took about 2 mins. Put new one in the same way. tadaaaa !

[ianrm]

Well done that man

[NickH]

Nice one PB I'll have to remember that if I ever need to change mine.

[Mutt & Jeff]

And he gets a 5.9 from the Russian Judge!

[john_s]

And he gets a 5.9 from the Russian Judge!

[TonyIles]

mine had a handle, ....................took off the wiper cover, and heater pipe, pushed the cables out the way, and with one tug it came out, getting the new one was a pain, got one with three warranty for the princely sum of £24.00......cheap as chips

[Purebob]

Tony Mine had a handle too, but the gap between pipes & stuff is far smaller than the battery when right way up. Using the belt and turning it on its side means you can slide out the battery without removing more than the waterbottle bracket and the wiper motor cover. I'm chuffed but I DID do me back in leaning over the engine bay and lumping batteries about.

[Purebob]

She started !!!! Driving to staines in her tomorrow now,and Hursley on tuesday ! LOADS a miles ! BTW new battery £21.50. Couldn't get a calcium chloride one in the same size though unfortunately so its another lead acid jobbie.

[TonyIles]

yep Bob, nods, I did think about slicing the ridge off the bottom, as I found it was the bottom bit that got caught coming out, battery was u/s due to cold weather, but well done that man for an innovative solution!!!

[TonyIles]

I think mine was a calcium, methinks it was a rebranded Bosch, heavens knows the cost for a "premier" car, its nice that vx's are cheap to maintain, the enjoyment divided by TCO is the best around