Battery Swap

[cdodkin]

With winter arriving soon in Central AZ, and the old battery showing signs of sulfating, I'm planning to swap out for a nice Optima battery before Xmas.

Rather than have to f**k with the radio code due to battery disconnection - is there a way I can keep the car's systems (i.e. Radio) powered whilst I change out the battery?

Thinking I could use my trusty battery charger, connected to the power terminals, to stop the radio from locking up.

Feasible? Any other methods work?

Thx.

Also - any tricks or tips for getting the Optima Red Top to fit in the 02 D2 battery tray?

Thx again.

 

[Ataraxia]

i used my charger to keep her alive during the battery swap. no radio code bs to deal with.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

sounds like a good plan except for the optima part...get a die-hard platinum instead.

 

[explorer4x4]

I have my radio code memorized.....

 

[cdodkin]

Mmmmm, have a new Optima available for FREE - you saying it's not worth it?

 

[MUSKYMAN]

Mmmmm, have a new Optima available for FREE - you saying it's not worth it?

yeah well I have said in the past you couldent give me one:rofl:

 

[CalebP]

Take a 9volt battery, and connect the 9v battery to a cigarette lighter plug, plug it in just before you disconnect the battery. It has enough power to keep the memory on the radio alive.You can buy one already made from Snap-on or Mac. saves the major hassle of a lost radio code. Here is a cheap one

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/prodid.47705/TID./qx/product.htm

 

[cdodkin]

yeah well I have said in the past you couldent give me one:rofl:

So you'd go with the DieHard Automotive Battery, Platinum P-1 - Group Size 34?

 

[cdodkin]

Take a 9volt battery, and connect the 9v battery to a cigarette lighter plug, plug it in just before you disconnect the battery. It has enough power to keep the memory on the radio alive.You can buy one already made from Snap-on or Mac. saves the major hassle of a lost radio code. Here is a cheap one

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/prodid.47705/TID./qx/product.htm

Looks like a neat idea!

I assume the ignition on the D2 would need to be in the 'on' position as the lighter socket is switched off when the ignition is off?

 

[MUSKYMAN]

So you'd go with the DieHard Automotive Battery, Platinum P-1 - Group Size 34?

yeah baby thats like battery porn:drool:

 

[cdodkin]

yeah baby thats like battery porn:drool:

I'll just look away for 30 secs while you.... uh hum... shake hands with the unemployed..




... you finished?

 

[explorer4x4]

Looks like a neat idea!

I assume the ignition on the D2 would need to be in the 'on' position as the lighter socket is switched off when the ignition is off?

If you turn the ignition on, the 9v battery would be drained almost immediately.

 

[cdodkin]

If you turn the ignition on, the 9v battery would be drained almost immediately.

so that system is not going to work on a D2 then - there is no power connection to the lighter socket when off - so there is no way the 9v cell would be able to keep the radio alive

 

[Roving Beetle]

You're back-feeding the system.

 

[antichrist]

How hard is it to key in 5 digits to activate the radio?

 

[Buddy]

How hard is it to key in 5 digits to activate the radio?

I guess that depends on if the OP has the code. I'm thinking he does not since this seems to be a big deal to him.

 

[LilRascle]

i took the cables off my 'o4 this weekend and didn't have to key in anything......

Hmmmmmmmm........

 

[CalebP]

The tool does work, techs have been using them for years now. Memory for both the ECM and radio require 5v to stay alive. You turn off all power equipment in the truck, you have to turn the key to the 1st position to get complete the lighter circuit. I don't understand this back-feeding thing,because people keep their truck batteries charged with trickle chargers using the lighter plug all the time.

 

[Sam C.]

Check your glove box, there should be a sticker with a sku on it. The last five digits are the code to your radio.

 

[markdisco]

I changed my battery this weekend as well and the truck was completely battery-less for over 3 hours, and for some odd reason I didn't have to enter a radio code when I connected the new one.... hmmmm.... it DID however erase my check engine light!

SCORE! Now I know how to get rid of that thing!