How to Replace the Battery in a Ford E-350
by Matthew Munoz
Batteries need to replaced several times throughout the life of a vehicle. Whether they are leaking acid or have just been worn out from usage, battery replacement is vital to maintaining starting power in your vehicle. A Ford E-350 has one 12-volt battery that is used to start the car as well as power components when the engine is not running. Replacing the battery is a simple task that can be done in a matter of minutes.
Replacing the Battery
Step 1
Turn off your vehicle and pop open the hood to expose the engine. The battery is fairly easy to locate. If you are facing the engine of the E-350, the battery will be located on your left-hand side.
Step 2
Locate the two battery cables. One will go to a red terminal and the other to a black. The red denotes the positive terminal, and the black is the ground terminal.
Step 3
Loosen the bolts that hold the cables to the terminals. Use your adjustable wrench to accomplish this. Be sure to loosen the negative (black) terminal first and disconnect the cable as this will prevent any sparking. Remove the positive (red) cable second.
Step 4
Remove the battery. Batteries will weigh around 40 to 50 pounds, so be careful not to damage yourself or your vehicle. Wear gloves if there is noticeable acid leakage, as the battery acid can burn your skin. Bring the battery to the nearest auto parts dealership; they can properly recycle it.
Step 5
Clean the terminals. Using your wire brush polish the terminals to guarantee a good electrical connection. If there is acid residue, you may clean this using a baking soda and water mixture.
Step 6
Install the new battery. Again, batteries are heavy so be sure to not injure yourself or damage the car.
Step 7
Connect the terminals. Remember to connect the negative (black) cable first and positive (red) second. Apply battery grease to the terminals to prevent future corrosion. Once this is complete you may test to make sure it works by starting your car.
References
Tips
- Bring the battery back to the store from which you bought your new battery. Not only will they be able to properly recycle the battery, but they will also offer you a rebate.
- A baking soda and water solution can help to remove dried battery acid. If you are handling a battery that has a lot of acid residue, you can prevent burns by cleaning with this solution.
Things You'll Need
- Replacement battery
- Wire brush
- Baking soda
- Adjustable wrench
- Electrical tape
- Gloves
- Battery grease
Warnings
- Battery acid burns your skin. Be sure to keep your eyes, mouth and skin free from the acid.
- When removing the old battery or installing the new battery, be sure not to let the adjustable wrench come in contact with any other metal on your car. This will cause a short circuit and can lead to electrical shock. A good way to prevent this is to wrap your adjustable wrench in electrical tape to insulate it.
Writer Bio
Matthew Munoz began writing in 2010. He writes for eHow and other online publications, specializing in fishing, cooking, mechanical HVAC engineering, automotive and marine engines. Munoz received a Bachelor of Engineering in naval architecture from SUNY Maritime College.
