Car question

[elsinoreblue]

Anybody out there installed their own car battery? My car, she is dead, and I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a new battery, so I was thinking of picking one up at Sears and putting it in myself. Is this a bad plan? I'm relatively handy. Otherwise, I'll just call good old AAA and see if they'll charge it again

Comments

[_opus_]

Dead car, yuck. My dump truck is dead (it has two batteries), so I feel your pain. :-)

In theory, it should be a simple swap. There are 10,000 different types of batteries, though, so making sure you're replacing it with the same kind may be tricky. The guys at Sears ought to be able to help you out, especially if you take a legible photograph of the label, or write down all the information to show them. Or best of all, bring the old one with you and have it tested. Most batteries are "core charge", which means you need to give them the old one anyways, or pay a lot more.

That being said, are you sure the battery's dead? It could be a dead alternator, or a bad starter, or who knows what else. Have you asked someone for a jump start? If it can't be started that way, it's less likely to be the battery.

[portnoyslp]

Caveat: I've never done it, and I usually just let professionals do things like that.

My understanding, though, is that it's one of the more straightforward things to replace. Unscrew the negative terminal, then the positive, remove battery, and connect up the new one in the opposite order.

The problems apparently come in with corrosion or leaks. Batteries tend to be filled with nasty things like sulfuric acid, so wear gloves and probably eyewear as well, and work out in your driveway rather than inside. I've seen sites that recommend using a baking soda and water solution on a stiff brush to clear off corrosion from the old battery and its housing.

[blair_stephens]

Can you email me? I can get you on the phone with Mark and he could totally walk you through it. :-)

[elsinoreblue]

Thanks! AAA may save me, but I'll give you a buzz if not. :)

Car Battery?

[jaia_me]

I've watched Mark replace the one in his car, so you know he'd help you out with yours! Call him for help!

Re: Car Battery?

[elsinoreblue]

Okie dokie! How are you? Is there a house?