850 Battery

steveartz · Post by **steveartz** » 13 Jan 2008, 12:25

Hello. Does anyone know, is there a certain procedure to follow when I change the battery in my 96 850? Am I going to have the computer reset or something like that if I only take out the old one and hook up the new?
Thank for any advice or tips!
Steve

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Jan 2008, 13:37

You will need your radio code and the ECU will go through a learning process. I let the car idle for 5 minutes so that it can "learn" but I'm not sure that even that is necessary.

...Lee

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 13 Jan 2008, 13:42

No special procedure except that you'll need your radio code after doing this or your radio will essentially be programmed to be off and will display "code" when you turn it on. You'll then have to enter your 4 digit radio code to activate it, so make sure you have it. If you don't, look in your owner's manual (especially leather case for it) and you might have a plastic card (about the size of a credit card) that has your number there...or else, hopefully someone has written it down in your owner's information. If you still don't have it, then call your dealer with the car's VIN# and as long as the radio is original to the car, you'll get it. Enough about the radio.

After disconnecting your bad battery you have about 15 minutes before your ECU is "reset," or if during the time you have the battery disconnected, you get in your car and push the brake pedal, your ECU will reset. This is not a bad thing unless you're trying also to pass your state car inspection in the next little while. After your ECU resets, it could take up to 3 or 400 miles for all of the adaptives to run through their readiness routines and clear all readiness codes- something that a state inspection station will be looking for and fail your car for.

A note on your battery: Make sure you get the right one. Not only will it need to fit the battery tray but it should have 600 or more cranking amps.

Good luck

steveartz · Post by **steveartz** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:51

Thank you, all for your advice.
Steve

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 14 Jan 2008, 23:03

I recently had to replace the battery in my 850, called around for price, Wallmart beat them all,way better than Costco, Autozone,etc. Sears was the worst.