help with replacing 1990 lumina battery

Porkchop2 · #1 06-08-2005, 03:43 PM

Hello. I am new here, and looking for some help.

I am trying to replace the dead battery in my 1990 Chevy Lumina, and am having an incredible amount of trouble doing so. The battery is a side mount, and is making it very akward to remove. I was able to get the terminals off, but there is something else holding the battery in there, preventing me from lifting it out. Does anyone have any experience with this? Please help me, I'd appreciate it. I'm kind of upset since replacing a battery shouldn't be so difficult, and I do not have the money to afford towing it to a garage, nor do I really want to to fix something so seemingly simple. Thank you.

ostey · #2 06-08-2005, 07:05 PM

You need to remove your air filter box, which takes 4 screws to get the cover off and then two or three 13 mm bolts in the bottom. You can leave the rubber hose attached and just move it out of the way.

You also have to remove the big black brace on top of the battery. Three 13 mm bolts.

The battery should be much easier to get to. There is a plastic piece used to bolt down the battery. I think it's another 13 mm bolt, but not sure. That should be it. Oh and the plastic cover on top of the battery that has two clips on the front.

Porkchop2 · #3 06-08-2005, 10:19 PM

Thank you Ostey. I will try this out tomorrow when it's light out! Information I got from auto stores in the area told me I had to remove the winshield washer fluid tank, and that just did not sound right, it's not that close to the battery and I didn't remember that being done the last time the battery was changed. I'll up date tomorrow on how it goes!

ostey · #4 06-08-2005, 10:34 PM

Sure, goodluck. I swear replacing the alternator on this car is much easier than replacing the battery. I just went through this about a year ago. Now, I'm working on the water pump.

Manny_boy · #5 06-09-2005, 07:59 AM

Not sure about 1990 - but I know for sure that 1991-1993 the washer tank actually covers the battery.

jeffcoslacker · #6 06-09-2005, 09:59 AM

Be prepared to have to relearn idle if the battery was left disconnected.

Yes, that's 13mm on the holdown. Most Luminas I remember need the core support brace, airbox, and washer tank removed or at least loosened up to replace the battery.

At least that water pump is easy. Don't neglect to properly bleed the cooling system after you get done with the pump, or you could have problems or even damage the motor.

ostey · #7 06-09-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

Be prepared to have to relearn idle if the battery was left disconnected.

Yes, that's 13mm on the holdown. Most Luminas I remember need the core support brace, airbox, and washer tank removed or at least loosened up to replace the battery.

At least that water pump is easy. Don't neglect to properly bleed the cooling system after you get done with the pump, or you could have problems or even damage the motor.

Just to verify on bleeding the cooling system, is that properly done by using the screw on top of the thermostat housing? I ended up replacing the water pump and thermostat, flushed the cooling system, and put everything back together. I added coolant to the radiator until it was full, started it up to get it warm and kept adding coolant after the thermostat opened up. After it got so hot, I had to put the radiator cap back on so it would leak out. Then I opened the valve on top of the thermostat housing and let it run for a while with it open. I'm guessing that properly bleeds the cooling system, but I'm not positive. Is there a better way to do it? Thanks.

jeffcoslacker · #8 06-09-2005, 12:08 PM

Add your coolant with the bleeder open. That way any air is pushed out as it fills. You may have another bleeder on the bypass above the water pump on the passenger's side of the motor. It's a little blace pipe sticking straight up with a bleeder on top, and a heater hose going to it.

Open any bleeders, fill the system. Close them and run 'till it starts to warm up. Then shut it off, and let it sit for a few minutes. Carefully open the cap and bleeders and refill once more. Close everything and run till the fan turns on. Open the bleeders once more (carefully) and if there is no air present, take it for a drive and watch the gauge. Take your wrench for the bleeders and a jug of coolant with you, just in case.

When they have air in them, they will usually sit and idle fine, but as soon as engine speed comes off idle and the car is moving, they spike real quick.

ostey · #9 06-09-2005, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the info. My Lumina doesn't have a temp gage, just a light, so monitoring the temp while moving is not possible. I'll check out the other bleeder valve tonight and go through it one more time.

Porkchop2 · #10 06-09-2005, 04:12 PM

It works!!! Taking off the air filter did the trick, and it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. The only hang up was the bolt on the battery bracket was rusted and being difficult to loosen. I didn't have any WD-40 around so I sprayed PAM on it instead, let it sit and that helped get it off. I am so happy, thank you very very much for the help! If I ever have any other car questions I will be sure to come here! =)

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