You are late this morning. You run to your car, hastily open the door, get behind the wheel, turn the key, and… nothing. 99% chance that your old battery has given up the ghost! If you plan, you have a backup battery in the garage and have scrupulously learned to replace all the consumables in your car.
However, when it comes to getting your hands dirty, a doubt assails you, should I dismantle the terminal – or the + terminal first? So rather than abandoning all hope and leaving your coach in the care of scrap dealers, here is a little reminder for the use of forgetful DIY enthusiasts.
Test your battery charge
First of all, it is essential to test your battery. The malfunction could also come from your glow plugs or the alternator. First of all, it is a question of locating the battery. The maintenance booklet can help you with this. It is generally located under the hood but can sometimes be integrated into the trunk.
Once located, use a voltmeter to measure its voltage. Below 12 volts, it will not start and must be recharged. Below the threshold of 11.7 volts, it must be replaced. The red cable of the voltmeter must be connected to the + terminal and the black cable to the – terminal. Also, be aware that the engine must be running while you do this. If your car does not start, use another vehicle and connect both batteries in a bypass to allow your car to start.
You can also check the color of your battery caps. If they are black, a short circuit or an overload problem may have damaged your battery and it is imperative to change it.
Choosing a suitable battery
Before buying a cheap car battery, it is necessary to find out about its characteristics. To do this, refer to the label, you will find three main pieces of information there:
- the nominal voltage (in volts, V)
- capacity (in amp-hour, Ah)
- starting power (in amps, A)
In addition to this information, note the model of your vehicle, the respective locations of the + and – terminals, and then the energy mode of your engine (petrol, diesel or LPG).
Dismantle your HS car battery
After receiving your order, the first step is to remove your old battery. To do this, equip yourself with old work clothes and remove your rings, bracelets, or other metal objects that could cause short circuits. Make sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface and the handbrake is on.
The actual disassembly always begins with the negative terminal, simply unscrew the terminal bolt then slide it out of the terminal. Do the same with the positive terminal then remove the bolts holding the battery in place. Remember to keep them in a separate box. Then simply dislodge the battery from its location. Be careful because its weight can be surprising, up to 30 kilos for the largest models!
How to install your new battery
Before proceeding in reverse order to fit the new battery, it is recommended to lightly scrape its terminals with very fine sandpaper or a wire brush to improve their conductivity. Then be sure to ventilate them to eliminate any traces of dust.
Then simply reassemble the battery and connect it, starting with the positive terminal this time. Be careful not to bring the two terminals into contact to avoid causing electric arcs which can be dangerous. You can finally close the hood and set off on the roads with peace of mind. Still, remember to recycle your old battery, it’s free and good for the environment!
