Tips or tricks to replace the hybrid 12v battery

[Jeff W8]

Here's a YouTube video with a couple of funny guys:


They removed the plastic around it, but they didn't show how they did it, unfortunately. And then at the end, one guy was about to film putting the plastic back in place, and the other one was like "No, dude! You gotta put the camera down to put it back on!" (paraphrased).

Perhaps the video will give you an idea of what you'd be dealing with taking the plastic off. I think you might be able to get the plastic removed without breaking it.

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[Builder]

Here's a YouTube video with a couple of funny guys:


They removed the plastic around it, but they didn't show how they did it, unfortunately. And then at the end, one guy was about to film putting the plastic back in place, and the other one was like "No, dude! You gotta put the camera down to put it back on!" (paraphrased).

Perhaps the video will give you an idea of what you'd be dealing with taking the plastic off. I think you might be able to get the plastic removed without breaking it.

I saw this also and wish they had shown how they removed the plastic trim. That would have been very helpful. At least one earlier post on MTC talked about removing the under seat trim and ended up breaking off a piece of it.

 

[CurtisB]

I removed the trim to put in my AGM battery just to give me more room to work with. The AGM battery I installed is taller than the stock battery so removing the trim just made sense. Use a plastic trim knive and take your time. Listen for the "pop" noises as the trim becomes unhinged.

You'll have to do the lower passenger door trim, then the trim around the battery. It's really simple and it makes installing the battery that much easier.

 

[Gunnar88]

What size battery is a drop in replacement?

 

[Builder]

What size battery is a drop in replacement?

AC Delco LN1 AGM is a drop in replacement with 520 CCA and 80 min reserve. Much more robust than the OEM POS. Ford does not make an AGM that fits the MAV. There are others that will fit including LN1/Group 140R/H4 will fit.

 

[Dad]

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.

Is this still working for you?

 

[Dad]

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.

No more deep sleep problems?

 

[CurtisB]

No more deep sleep problems?

What I found is that you will still get sleep messages occasionally, but your battery won't completely go dead. I haven't had to trickle charge or recharge the AGM battery. The AGM cells recharge faster and hold a charge longer.

 

[Dad]

What I found is that you will still get sleep messages occasionally, but your battery won't completely go dead. I haven't had to trickle charge or recharge the AGM battery. The AGM cells recharge faster and hold a charge longer.

Good to know. Since replacing the faulty cable connection, I have not had any 'no-start' problems, but plenty of deep sleep. Being retired, I don't make daily commutes, so I expect that.

 

[Donwood]

Here's what helped me installing my Uplus 140R AGM battery replacement from amazon this weekend. First, read this thread in its entirety. Post # 5 links to another thread with lots of photos I reviewed. I did not remove any plastic trim, just the battery compartment cover. People who've removed the trim say it's easy but I know I would find a way to break the plastic clips.

One of the "tools" that helped me was a telescoping magnet I had from harbor freight. This was helpful when I when I totally unscrewed the terminal connecting nut which promptly fell below the battery. It's main use was to lift and replace the clamp and bolt at the bottom of the compartment that holds the battery in.

The one tool I had to purchase was a socket extension set to reach the bolt (10mm) that holds the battery in at the bottom of the compartment (I bought a 3 piece set to get a 10 inch extension because that was all I could find. If you can find a 10 inch extension alone that's really all you need).

I tried the suggestion of putting a piece of foam in to hold up clamp but had trouble and ultimately took the clamp out and replaced it with the bolt already in the hole while lowering with the telescoping magnet after lowering the battery in.
The thing that might have been helpful would be a friend with an extra set of hands to keep the wires and terminal connectors out of the way while lowering the battery into the opening.

Overall it's not that difficult. I've included links to the telescoping magnet and socket extension for reference. They are not affiliate links and are just if someone wants to see an image. A stick with magnet as suggested earlier in this thread would work.

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-lb-capacity-telescoping-magnetic-pickup-tool-64656.html

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Piece-1-4-in-Drive-Socket-Extension-Set/3773575

 

[papak]

Here's what helped me installing my Uplus 140R AGM battery replacement from amazon this weekend. First, read this thread in its entirety. Post # 5 links to another thread with lots of photos I reviewed. I did not remove any plastic trim, just the battery compartment cover. People who've removed the trim say it's easy but I know I would find a way to break the plastic clips.

One of the "tools" that helped me was a telescoping magnet I had from harbor freight. This was helpful when I when I totally unscrewed the terminal connecting nut which promptly fell below the battery. It's main use was to lift and replace the clamp and bolt at the bottom of the compartment that holds the battery in.

The one tool I had to purchase was a socket extension set to reach the bolt (10mm) that holds the battery in at the bottom of the compartment (I bought a 3 piece set to get a 10 inch extension because that was all I could find. If you can find a 10 inch extension alone that's really all you need).

I tried the suggestion of putting a piece of foam in to hold up clamp but had trouble and ultimately took the clamp out and replaced it with the bolt already in the hole while lowering with the telescoping magnet after lowering the battery in.
The thing that might have been helpful would be a friend with an extra set of hands to keep the wires and terminal connectors out of the way while lowering the battery into the opening.

Overall it's not that difficult. I've included links to the telescoping magnet and socket extension for reference. They are not affiliate links and are just if someone wants to see an image. A stick with magnet as suggested earlier in this thread would work.

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-lb-capacity-telescoping-magnetic-pickup-tool-64656.html

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Piece-1-4-in-Drive-Socket-Extension-Set/3773575

 

[papak]

I just replaced my battery (preemtorily) with the AC Delco AGM/LN1. I found that using a telescoping magnet worked great with the retaining plate and bolt. I was surprised that Ford opted to use a bolt with a straight cut end. Most of the other Ford cars I have worked on use bolts that have a tapered end that makes it much easier to align the bolt with a blind hole (probably facilitated robotic installation).

I would caution folks to be very careful in prying the vent tube loose from the old battery as I breaks easily. Before removing the old battery, take then time to pry out the plastic panels that surround the battery. Every aspect of the process is much easier with them out of the way.

 

[Espeer]

Just replaced mine with the agm battery. I can't imagine not pulling the plastic. It's really easy and I just used my fingers. Pull the piece near the door first, then pull the bigger piece that goes around the battery. You have to flex it a bit to clear the front, but it's not bad. Going back in is the reverse order and way easier. Took me 5 minutes to pull the trim, 5 to replace the battery, and about 2 minutes to re-install the trim.

 

[Dad]

Just replaced mine with the agm battery. I can't imagine not pulling the plastic. It's really easy and I just used my fingers. Pull the piece near the door first, then pull the bigger piece that goes around the battery. You have to flex it a bit to clear the front, but it's not bad. Going back in is the reverse order and way easier. Took me 5 minutes to pull the trim, 5 to replace the battery, and about 2 minutes to re-install the trim.

Let us know if this solves your battery issues.

 

[Espeer]

The oem one lasted 2 years, so it may be a while before I know if this one is better.

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