Change Your Own Battery?

ts_hunter · September 30, 2009

I need to replace the original battery in my '05 Sierra before winter hits. Should I just have the dealership do it, or is it just as simple as disconnecting the old one and putting the new on in it's place? Are there some fancy electronics I could possibly wreck?

txab · September 30, 2009

You can do it yourself. You might want to note any pre-sets you have on your radio. You might lose them.

The ignition and start switch must be in the OFF, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Disconnect the positive cable.

Remove battery.

Install new battery.

Reconnect positive cable.

Reconnect negative cable.

Usually after changing the battery you'll need, to let the HVAC system recalibrate itself.

Turn ignition on without starting vehicle. Wait 1 minute.

DO NOT touch any A/C buttons during this minute! Let the HVAC system do whatever it wants to. The system will cycle all doors/dampers.

Some people say at this point start the vehicle and drive it for a bit. Others say Key off. Open drivers door. Close drivers door. After 1 minute key on, start engine and drive for bit.

Info contained in this thread:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry897550

Spurshot · September 30, 2009

Just my two cents on battery handling:

REMOVE ALL JEWELRY (rings, watches, necklaces, etc.)

Wear glasses (safety glasses or other)

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE FIRST

ALWAYS RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE LAST

I had a friend almost loose his hand from the wrist down. He had a shorted his watch against the positive terminal and ground. It burned a groove around his wrist in less than a second. If it had burned his blood vessels and tendons, it would have to have come off in an amputation. Wedding rings and watches are the usual hazards. Another is the removal of the positive cable first and touching the wrench to the chassis when loosening the terminal.

Be careful. DC voltage and the nearly unlimited current from a battery can be very dangerous.

Silverado4x4 · September 30, 2009

Very good tip Chuck.

sternforpres · September 30, 2009

My 2000 Sierra had a clamp holding the battery down, remove a single bolt right next to the battery and the clamp comes off. Note: I didn't have an extension long enought to get to the bolt, had to borrow a 12 inch extension to get at it.

jpk · September 30, 2009

Don't forget about the radio security code, if you have one. Check the owner's manual for details on how to set and re-set it.

CapitalTruck · October 2, 2009

You'll defintely need a long extension (as said above) to get the clap off. Don't bother starting until you get one. One you have that it's a piece of cake. As an aside, ACDelco batteries have really good warranties now.

Spurshot · October 2, 2009

You'll defintely need a long extension (as said above) to get the clap off. Don't bother starting until you get one. One you have that it's a piece of cake. As an aside, ACDelco batteries have really good warranties now.

2005LT · October 2, 2009

Wear at least some type of gloves if the old battery is leaking acid anywhere. That and Chuck's tips are really good too.

Zembonez · October 2, 2009

I agree with the others here... a little caution and a new battery is a 10 minute job max.

chrt396 · October 2, 2009

Just my two cents on battery handling:
REMOVE ALL JEWELRY (rings, watches, necklaces, etc.)

Wear glasses (safety glasses or other)

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE FIRST

ALWAYS RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE LAST

I had a friend almost loose his hand from the wrist down. He had a shorted his watch against the positive terminal and ground. It burned a groove around his wrist in less than a second. If it had burned his blood vessels and tendons, it would have to have come off in an amputation. Wedding rings and watches are the usual hazards. Another is the removal of the positive cable first and touching the wrench to the chassis when loosening the terminal.

Be careful. DC voltage and the nearly unlimited current from a battery can be very dangerous.

Well...that was a gruesome story. These are the kinds of things that happen when you don't pay attention and take it haphazardly. I've done it many times and wished I had not. Good advice!!!

jblakeney · October 2, 2009

You can do it yourself. You might want to note any pre-sets you have on your radio. You might lose them.

The ignition and start switch must be in the OFF, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Disconnect the positive cable.

Remove battery.

Install new battery.

Reconnect positive cable.

Reconnect negative cable.

Usually after changing the battery you'll need, to let the HVAC system recalibrate itself.

Turn ignition on without starting vehicle. Wait 1 minute.

DO NOT touch any A/C buttons during this minute! Let the HVAC system do whatever it wants to. The system will cycle all doors/dampers.

Some people say at this point start the vehicle and drive it for a bit. Others say Key off. Open drivers door. Close drivers door. After 1 minute key on, start engine and drive for bit.

Info contained in this thread:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry897550

Just my two cents on battery handling:
REMOVE ALL JEWELRY (rings, watches, necklaces, etc.)

Wear glasses (safety glasses or other)

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE FIRST

ALWAYS RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE LAST

I had a friend almost loose his hand from the wrist down. He had a shorted his watch against the positive terminal and ground. It burned a groove around his wrist in less than a second. If it had burned his blood vessels and tendons, it would have to have come off in an amputation. Wedding rings and watches are the usual hazards. Another is the removal of the positive cable first and touching the wrench to the chassis when loosening the terminal.

Be careful. DC voltage and the nearly unlimited current from a battery can be very dangerous.

Great job guys (txab & spurshot). Check that you do not have the theft-lock on your radio on. If you do you will need the code if it is not go for it... If its set go to the parts store and get a memory saver plugs into the cigar-lighter and a 9volt battery connects to it... Make sure your fuse is good for that lighter. Leave the door SHUT and all lights off as this will drain the 9volt battery QUICK......

You will need a 10 and a 3 inch extension. 8mm, 10mm, 12mm sockets (94% sure on the 12mm is the hold down bolt might want to grab a 13mm also) SIX POINT at least on the 8mm for the battery bolts!!!

NAPA has a great battery out for our trucks 75mo warranty, 18mo of that free replacement. We have 84mo warranty batteries but it lowers the amps but you do get 24mo of free replacements. I usually do not push the 84mo battery b/c of the loss of performance over the 75mo ones. The 75mo battery with out and alternator problem should last at least 5 years with out touching the battery.

Group 78

75XDT800 Best thing we have -- 1020CA, 875CCA, 120RC -- $139

7578 -- 940CA, 770CCA, 115RC -- $82.69

Group 75

7575 -- 775CA, 630CCCA, 90RC -- $83.69

Pricing is walk-in......

Jbo

Zembonez · October 2, 2009

Swapping a battery is a tad more complicated than it was 10 years ago... with all of today's electronics.

Nick The Great · October 2, 2009

I replaced mine last winter. For the record, it was about -30°F and dark out.

On my GMT900 it was easier to remove that corner cross brace. It was just 2 bolts, and made the battery easier to wrangle.

I lost my time on the radio, but that was about it. None of that security code BS they always warned us about on the GMT800's.

CapitalTruck · October 4, 2009

You'll defintely need a long extension (as said above) to get the clap off. Don't bother starting until you get one. One you have that it's a piece of cake. As an aside, ACDelco batteries have really good warranties now.

I guess a glove better go over that extension also