Tips or tricks to replace the hybrid 12v battery

[Builder]

I’ve done a deep search for instructions on how to change the 12v battery in a Hybrid Mav; I’m moving toward the AC Delco AGM. The owners manual is a bit academic on these instructions so I’m looking for “real life” experience on changing out the 12v battery. What went wrong …… what worked well …. what surprised you? Any tips, tricks, and/or advice given the rather confining space to work the battery replacement. Really ……. how difficult is the removal and replacement process. I’ve seen videos where people have removed the under seat trim for easier access. Is this really necessary or recommended? Is this difficult? How hard is the replacement process for a very average Mav owner (like me)?

I want to try to avoid a crisis of confidence to do this 12v battery replacement myself. Thanks for any advice, tips or inputs.

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[sockeye]

I’ve done a deep search for instructions on how to change the 12v battery in a Hybrid Mav; I’m moving toward the AC Delco AGM. The owners manual is a bit academic on these instructions so I’m looking for “real life” experience on changing out the 12v battery. What went wrong …… what worked well …. what surprised you? Any tips, tricks, and/or advice given the rather confining space to work the battery replacement. Really ……. how difficult is the removal and replacement process. I’ve seen videos where people have removed the under seat trim for easier access. Is this really necessary or recommended? Is this difficult? How hard is the replacement process for a very average Mav owner (like me)?

I want to try to avoid a crisis of confidence to do this 12v battery replacement myself. Thanks for any advice, tips or inputs.

You'll want a 1/4 extension at least a foot long ..... magnetic sockets help
a light
a magnet on a stick
patience

I did mine without pulling the plastic surround. I couldn't figure out how to pull the plastic surround without breaking it. If you can get the plastic surround out, access to the battery hold down clip would be massively improved.

I loosened the bolt securing the hold down clip with the long extension and socket, and gingerly removed both with the magnet on a stick. Note the orientation of the clip when you loosen it. Pulled the positive and negative terminals and the little vent tube in the side. Pulled the battery. I was worried I'd lose a all my computer/radio settings, but that didn't happen. Seemed to retain all settings.


Installation was the reverse. Have to make sure the bottom lip of the new battery nestles into the slot for it on the non clip side. Put the vent tube in the hole for it in the new battery if it has one. (mine did)

The trickiest part was aligning the securing clip with the battery lip, and the bolt hole. I did it by maneuvering the clip with a couple stiff wire probes. Patience Grasshopper! Once the clip was in place, I put the bolt in a magnetic socket on an extension and got it started. Took a few minutes to get this done. If you don't have a magnetic socket, some goopy pucky on a regular socket would work.

Once you have the retaining clip back in and the battery is secure, you're home free. Secure the terminals and viola!

Good luck!

 

[Oscarcat]

While contemplating a battery upgrade to the AGM, I am now in the habit of turning the headlight switch to the "off, 0 " position before I exit my vehicle for the day in my garage.

This seems to prolong the battery and I don't get sleep issues.

 

[Builder]

You'll want a 1/4 extension at least a foot long ..... magnetic sockets help
a light
a magnet on a stick
patience

I did mine without pulling the plastic surround. I couldn't figure out how to pull the plastic surround without breaking it. If you can get the plastic surround out, access to the battery hold down clip would be massively improved.

I loosened the bolt securing the hold down clip with the long extension and socket, and gingerly removed both with the magnet on a stick. Note the orientation of the clip when you loosen it. Pulled the positive and negative terminals and the little vent tube in the side. Pulled the battery. I was worried I'd lose a all my computer/radio settings, but that didn't happen. Seemed to retain all settings.


Installation was the reverse. Have to make sure the bottom lip of the new battery nestles into the slot for it on the non clip side. Put the vent tube in the hole for it in the new battery if it has one. (mine did)

The trickiest part was aligning the securing clip with the battery lip, and the bolt hole. I did it by maneuvering the clip with a couple stiff wire probes. Patience Grasshopper! Once the clip was in place, I put the bolt in a magnetic socket on an extension and got it started. Took a few minutes to get this done. If you don't have a magnetic socket, some goopy pucky on a regular socket would work.

Once you have the retaining clip back in and the battery is secure, you're home free. Secure the terminals and viola!

Good luck!

This is exactly the info/tips I was seeking. I read about the retaining clip and what a PITA it can be. I am assuming that I can’t fit my hand down next the battery to lift the clip out after removing the bolt and return it back in place after the new battery is inserted???

 

[LtCasual]

Been considering this for my truck as well, is there a software setting you need to change to move from a standard to AGM battery?

Found some info via this post:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/agm-for-hybrid.40237/post-739813

 

[Builder]

Been considering this for my truck as well, is there a software setting you need to change to move from a standard to AGM battery?

I’ve read that most, if not all Mavs are already set to an AGM battery regardless of the OEM battery type. That may be part of the problem when they started using regular lead acid batteries after running out of AGMs for new Mavs. I’ve read this in several different places.

 

[LtCasual]

I’ve read that most, if not all Mavs are already set to an AGM battery regardless of the OEM battery type. That may be part of the problem when they started using regular lead acid batteries after running out of AGMs for new Mavs. I’ve read this in several different places.

Interesting, I wish there was a way to check this without plunking down for a Forscan adapter.

 

[Builder]

Interesting, I wish there was a way to check this without plunking down for a Forscan adapter.

Ditto ……

 

[uga]

IF you have a Hybrid, your Mav is already programmed for an AGM battery

 

[sockeye]

This is exactly the info/tips I was seeking. I read about the retaining clip and what a PITA it can be. I am assuming that I can’t fit my hand down next the battery to lift the clip out after removing the bolt and return it back in place after the new battery is inserted???

Nope, no way to get a hand down there. (unless you can figure out the plastic shroud removal)
I used a couple of impact driver extensions to position the clip on top of the battery lip and aligned with the bolt hole. I think I used a headlight to be able to see down there. Once positioned, I didn't have to hold it in place, it rested there without problem. Then I very gingerly started the retaining bolt.

 

[FamousAmos]

I’ve done a deep search for instructions on how to change the 12v battery in a Hybrid Mav; I’m moving toward the AC Delco AGM. The owners manual is a bit academic on these instructions so I’m looking for “real life” experience on changing out the 12v battery. What went wrong …… what worked well …. what surprised you? Any tips, tricks, and/or advice given the rather confining space to work the battery replacement. Really ……. how difficult is the removal and replacement process. I’ve seen videos where people have removed the under seat trim for easier access. Is this really necessary or recommended? Is this difficult? How hard is the replacement process for a very average Mav owner (like me)?

I want to try to avoid a crisis of confidence to do this 12v battery replacement myself. Thanks for any advice, tips or inputs.

"Use an LT507 screwdriver, with a plastic handle and demagnitized head. If you don't have one, use a coin." Bob Newhart, 1960

 

[Orrin.kelso]

I’ve done a deep search for instructions on how to change the 12v battery in a Hybrid Mav; I’m moving toward the AC Delco AGM. The owners manual is a bit academic on these instructions so I’m looking for “real life” experience on changing out the 12v battery. What went wrong …… what worked well …. what surprised you? Any tips, tricks, and/or advice given the rather confining space to work the battery replacement. Really ……. how difficult is the removal and replacement process. I’ve seen videos where people have removed the under seat trim for easier access. Is this really necessary or recommended? Is this difficult? How hard is the replacement process for a very average Mav owner (like me)?

I want to try to avoid a crisis of confidence to do this 12v battery replacement myself. Thanks for any advice, tips or inputs.

I replaced with the AC Delco AGM. I did not remove the battery hold down clamp. I thought it would be too difficult to get back in with the limited space. The problem is getting battery under the hold down clamp. if you just drop it in, the battery will be on top of the clamp. I used a piece of stiff foam to act as a spring to hold the clamp up, then dropped battery down at an angle with the hold down side lower so I could get it under the clamp. Once it was under the clamp, drop other side down. Tighten clamp and done.

The AC Delco works great.

 

[Builder]

I replaced with the AC Delco AGM. I did not remove the battery hold down clamp. I thought it would be too difficult to get back in with the limited space. The problem is getting battery under the hold down clamp. if you just drop it in, the battery will be on top of the clamp. I used a piece of stiff foam to act as a spring to hold the clamp up, then dropped battery down at an angle with the hold down side lower so I could get it under the clamp. Once it was under the clamp, drop other side down. Tighten clamp and done.

The AC Delco works great.

How did you get the foam piece out after setting the battery in? How big was your piece of foam? Interesting way to keep the hold down clamp in place.

 

[Orrin.kelso]

How did you get the foam piece out after setting the battery in? How big was your piece of foam? Interesting way to keep the hold down clamp in place.

I don't think I even removed it. If I did remove it, maybe with pair of needle nose pliers'. Heavy battery squished It out of the way. I think I placed it slightly to one side so it would not be between the bolt and the battery. It was maybe 3/4 inch square and about 1/2 inch thick. It was a piece of the foam used for pipe insulation.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

While contemplating a battery upgrade to the AGM, I am now in the habit of turning the headlight switch to the "off, 0 " position before I exit my vehicle for the day in my garage.

This seems to prolong the battery and I don't get sleep issues.

FYI. Instead of turning headlight off with the knob, when you exit the truck double lock with either the fob or the door handle or the key pad. That turns off all the delay items the courtesy lights, the dash, the info screen, and possibly other things and, I believe tell the truck that you won't be back for awhile. It does not turn off the power points they will stay on if anything is plugged into and drawing current for the delay time OR until the 12v drops to 12.1 volts. The manual recommends that nothing is left plugged in. (Some things may keep current flowing checking to see if anything is turned on).

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