2001 Battery replacement

[Ink Ming]

Anyone ever replace the battery themselves on the Sihouette? Is it worth doing yourself or taking it to the shop?

['97ventureowner]

Check with some of your local auto parts stores as they will install your battery for free, if you purchase it from them.

[Milo2001]

It's not hard to do, but you do need to take some stuff off to get to it. Because of where the battery is located, most chain auto stores will charge a small fee and your at their mercy as to when then can get to it.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Milo2001

It's not hard to do, but you do need to take some stuff off to get to it. Because of where the battery is located, most chain auto stores will charge a small fee and your at their mercy as to when then can get to it.

That would depend on where you live. For example, our local Sam's Clubs will install your new battery in less than 59 minutes which is the same promise as their tire installation. Their prices aren't bad either.

['97ventureowner]

If you go to the Chevrolet Venture forum and search for the post titled "Changing Battery" (currently on pg. 2) and scroll down to post #4 by "umina" there is detailed instructions on how to change the battery. This should work as the Silhoutte is a sister van to the Venture.

[jimbocobb]

Thanks for the info on the Venture post about changing the battery. I just did one yesterday (glad I finally found these forums, been looking for something like this)...anyway, what a nightmare I had. After removing the stuff required to get access to the battery posts (and attempting a couple different wrenches, ratchets...man, there's no room to operate in there, can't believe they made it this hard to replace a battery...what were they thinking ?), I got the negative off, then the postive was really stuck and when I gave it everything I had, the post came out with a piece of the old battery in it and battery acide was pouring out. I kept working with it, but the head of the post was shot by then, ratchet was useless. Soaked it in Liquid Wrench and let it sit for awhile, then had 2 locking wrenches turning in opposite directions (all this happened with my wife out of town and I'm responsible for 2 kids) and finally (after saying a few prayers) got it apart. Got a ride from a friend (along with the kids) to an auto-parts store to pick up a new post. Finally got everything back together and amazingly enough--It Works !! Washed out the garage floor to get rid of the battery acid remnants.

Even without the post breaking it would have been difficult due to the restricted access to the battery, and I have rather large hands. But I'm also not a gear-head by any means. I have a decent assortment of tools though.

Well, I hope my next vehicle doesn't require this much effort to change the battery !!

[scrapdaddy]

Originally Posted by jimbocobb

Thanks for the info on the Venture post about changing the battery. I just did one yesterday (glad I finally found these forums, been looking for something like this)...anyway, what a nightmare I had. After removing the stuff required to get access to the battery posts (and attempting a couple different wrenches, ratchets...man, there's no room to operate in there, can't believe they made it this hard to replace a battery...what were they thinking ?), I got the negative off, then the postive was really stuck and when I gave it everything I had, the post came out with a piece of the old battery in it and battery acide was pouring out. I kept working with it, but the head of the post was shot by then, ratchet was useless. Soaked it in Liquid Wrench and let it sit for awhile, then had 2 locking wrenches turning in opposite directions (all this happened with my wife out of town and I'm responsible for 2 kids) and finally (after saying a few prayers) got it apart. Got a ride from a friend (along with the kids) to an auto-parts store to pick up a new post. Finally got everything back together and amazingly enough--It Works !! Washed out the garage floor to get rid of the battery acid remnants.

Even without the post breaking it would have been difficult due to the restricted access to the battery, and I have rather large hands. But I'm also not a gear-head by any means. I have a decent assortment of tools though.

Well, I hope my next vehicle doesn't require this much effort to change the battery !!

i sure hope one day i meet the enginers that invent these crammed sideways motors id like to kick their asses this is bull shit. how about making it easy fo jo blow to work on these things. the dealers have enough money . minium fix on these new cars is a thouand buck and 80 percent of that price is labour. like com'n now these boy cott these places or sumtin what happened to the old days when u could fix your car wit a 3/8 1/2 and a 9/16 th wrench?

[testing99]

Originally Posted by jimbocobb

I got the negative off, then the postive was really stuck and when I gave it everything I had, the post came out with a piece of the old battery in it and battery acide was pouring out. !!

same thing happend to me only after that the clamp bolt that holds the battery in place was seized underneath. I had no choice but to yank the whole battery and it's platform out (had to break the platform to get it out)..insert swearing here.

I Replaced the battery now it just sits there i figure it can't go anywhere.

P.S don't try driving the van with a dead battery and then turn on the fans while driving on the highway.... stall,no power,no lights. he he
allmost killed myself.

thks. Peter