Battery replacement

[jrpeterson5]

I need new battery for my 04 Pilot. It's the original battery and does not hold the charge very long when running on battery only. I've got a tailgate in 2 weeks and want to replace it by then.

My question is this: Are batteries something that I could replace? I've never replaced one, but I can't imagine it's that difficult. Also, what type and model of battery is recommended for an 04 Pilot?

Thanks so much for any help.

[humanoid]

I went to AutoZone and picked up a Duralast Gold from them, comes highly recommended from Consumer Reports.

Changing out the battery is as easy as changing out a light bulb. Undo the neg. terminal, then pos. terminal, pull out dead battery and put in the good one and put the terminals back in reverse order... nothing to it.

[ctobio]

A couple of words of advice for someone who's never changed a battery before.

Make sure you get the polarity right, and that the part number is right. Compare the old battery to the new, and make sure that the terminals are in the same positions. There are some batteries that have the same form factor, but different pole orientations, so double and triple check to be sure.

Get some sort of battery terminal protector spray or grease. The terminals on these cars are thin straps of metal, and they corrode easily. Kills me that I see this in practically every Japanese car I've worked on for the last 15 years, because I often end up cutting these off and replacing them when they've disintegrated. Wire brush the inside of the terminal where it contacts the lug on the battery, and wire brush the lug of the new battery to get of the lead oxide.

Finally, if you want your battery to live a good long life, inspect the battery water level every 6 months, and top off with distilled water as necessary. Unless the battery actually says "Maintenance Free," it isn't.

[krygny]

Originally posted by jrpeterson5
I need new battery for my 04 Pilot. It's the original battery and does not hold the charge very long when running on battery only. I've got a tailgate in 2 weeks and want to replace it by then.

My question is this: Are batteries something that I could replace? I've never replaced one, but I can't imagine it's that difficult. Also, what type and model of battery is recommended for an 04 Pilot?

Thanks so much for any help.

Sounds like you don't have much experience with cars. It's not quite as easy as changing a light bulb but it's just about the easiest thing you could do on a car. Do you have a second vehicle or someone who can drive you to the auto supply? You might want to remove your old battery first, bring it in, and have them match (or exceed) it. They'll recycle the old battery and give you a credit ($5 here in NY).

Ask the guy for a small can of terminal sealant while you're there. Clean the terminals every few months and spray on a light coating.

Remember, you'll have to enter the security code for the radio; you might even have to re-program the driver's side window.

[rocky]

If you haven't changed a battery before, get the local shop to do it.

Hopefully they will be smart enough to ensure the car retains power even when the battery is out of the car.

Watch how they do it so you can do it yourself next time.

[jrpeterson5]

Thank you all for the great advice. You guys are right, my car experience is limited to changing the headlight and installing Sirius in the vechicles! Is there a certain "model" or number that I should be looking for? I read something about 24F but to be honest I have no idea what that is. Thanks again!

[rocky]

Batteries come in all shapes and sizes. 24F is the one you need.

[NJGuy]

Changing the battery is a relatively easy thing to do. If you still don't feel confident about doing it, many auto parts stores (like Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, etc) offer free battery installation when you purchase one there. Just be sure call the store ahead of time to ensure that they don't charge for the service. And if you have the store do the install, keep in mind the tips you read here while you watch the guy do it.

By the way don't shortchange yourself; I've found that changing the headlight in some cars is harder and trickier than changing the battery.

[A6Pilot]

There's a little more to changing a battery than removing a couple of wires. Before you remove the battery, make sure you have the radio code, and navigation code. You'll need to enter them when you put the new battery in. If you don't have them (the dealer wrote them down on a card when he delivered the car), go to the dealer. The radio and navigation system will not work without them.

After you replace the battery there are two other items you have to accomplish: 1. Idle learn procedure, and 2. Reset electric windows for auto up/down. The dealer will help you out with these two. Try a search on this site for both procedures, if you want to do it yourself.

[in2fish]

I just replaced mine with a DieHard. They charged $12.99 to install it, which I thought was a deal. It saved me having to buy the terminal sealants and I didn't lose any of my electronic presets.

[jestmaty]

Originally posted by in2fish
I just replaced mine with a DieHard. They charged $12.99 to install it, which I thought was a deal. It saved me having to buy the terminal sealants and I didn't lose any of my electronic presets.

Autozone sells a little 9 volt battery 'thingy' that plugs into the acc socket to keep your presets for you while you disconnect the battery. Like $6 or something, very cheap.

[krygny]

Originally posted by in2fish
I just replaced mine with a DieHard. They charged $12.99 to install it, which I thought was a deal. It saved me having to buy the terminal sealants and I didn't lose any of my electronic presets.

I assume you had it done at Sears. That's the problem. Take a look at the "mechanics" who work there. They hate their job, they hate their boss, they hate their life and they take it out on the customers and their cars.

[rocky]

Originally posted by jestmaty


Autozone sells a little 9 volt battery 'thingy' that plugs into the acc socket to keep your presets for you while you disconnect the battery. Like $6 or something, very cheap.

If you have another car, and jump cables, you can do the same thing.

Just connect the jump cables to the battery cables on the Pilot. Loosen battery cables from the original battery then remove an replace battery, lube and reconnect the battery cables, then remove the jump cables.

Job done in ten mins tops.

[jon316]

Another method to preserve factory presets and security codes: I set my battery charger to "trickle" and connect the charger to the terminal cables prior to disconnecting the terminal cables from the battery.

When I replaced the battery on my 2002 Jetta, I browsed the shop manual to find other maintenance items requiring battery removal. (e.g. driver's side headlamp bulb) I don't know if the Pilot has any routine maintenance items which require removing the battery, but it's worth a glance prior to removing a 25-pound sulfuric acid filled lead block.

I've not had to replace the Pilot battery, yet.

[rocky]

Originally posted by jon316
Another method to preserve factory presets and security codes: I set my battery charger to "trickle" and connect the charger to the terminal cables prior to disconnecting the terminal cables from the battery.

When I replaced the battery on my 2002 Jetta, I browsed the shop manual to find other maintenance items requiring battery removal. (e.g. driver's side headlamp bulb) I don't know if the Pilot has any routine maintenance items which require removing the battery, but it's worth a glance prior to removing a 25-pound sulfuric acid filled lead block.

I've not had to replace the Pilot battery, yet.

Thats a much better idea than a battery. Got one of those thingys for my tractor. Thank you jon316