How to Remove a Battery From a PT Cruiser
by TJ HintonIntroduced in 2000 and discontinued in 2010, the PT Cruiser was originally conceived as a Plymouth model. Even though it was considered a compact five-door vehicle in the U.S., consumers in Japan -- where Chrysler sold 10,000 of these retro-styled wagons -- had to pay a yearly tax to own one because it was too wide to comply with dimension regulations set by the Japanese government. It's hard for Americans to think of the PT Cruiser as being too big. A memory saver, available at any auto parts store, will simplify the task of replacing the battery in your 2010 PT Cruiser.
Step 1
Turn off all accessories and turn the ignition switch off. Open the hood and support it on the prop rod. Install a memory-saver device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 2
Don safety glasses. Find the air cleaner housing on the driver side of the engine compartment. Using a nut-driver, loosen the air-pipe hose clamp, and separate the housing from the pipe. Lift the housing slightly and separate it from the air inlet duct.
Step 3
Loosen the negative battery cable terminal clamp with a wrench, and remove the cable from the battery post. Lead the cable away from the post so as to avoid accidental contact. Loosen the positive terminal clamp and remove it from the post. Remove the battery retainer, using a ratchet, socket and extension. Remove the retainer hardware from the battery.
Step 4
Don rubber gloves. Lift the battery up and off the battery tray. Find the battery temperature sensor in the battery tray. It is a round disc in a recess in the middle of the tray. Inspect the sensor for debris and clean it as necessary, using a shop rag. Remove the sleeve from the battery and install it on the new battery.
Step 5
Clean the battery terminals and the posts on the new battery, using the battery terminal and post cleaner. Lower the new battery into place on the battery tray. Install the retainer hardware and torque the retainer bolt to 110 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench, extension and socket.
Step 6
Install the positive battery terminal cable on the positive post and tighten it, then install the negative battery cable. Torque the pinch bolts to 110 inch-pounds.
Step 7
Position the air cleaner housing and install it on the air inlet duct, then settle the housing into place. Install the air pipe on the housing and tighten the hose clamp. Remove the memory-saver device. Test drive the Cruiser.
Tips
- If you don't use a memory saver, you'll lose radio presets and you'll reset the powertrain control module. It isn't tragic, but the Cruiser will have to relearn its adaptive strategy. Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes, then drive it for about 10 miles in city traffic and on the highway. Until the relearn is complete, the car may behave a bit off.
- Have your charging system checked, to make sure your new battery is getting the correct charge.
Things You'll Need
- Memory-saver device
- Safety glasses
- Nut-driver set
- Wrench set
- Ratchet
- Extension
- Socket set
- Rubber gloves
- Shop rag
- Battery terminal and post cleaner
- Inch-pound torque wrench
Warnings
- Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when handling the battery to prevent acid injuries in case of a spill.
- Remove any metallic hand, wrist or neck jewelry before working around the battery
Writer Bio
TJ Hinton trained as an auto mechanic at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and then later graduated from MMI as a certified motorcycle mechanic . He's also worked for 20+ years in home construction, remodeling and repair. His articles appear on InternetAutoGuide.com and TopSpeed.com.
