$200 for battery changeout

[wawuzit]

$120 for GM battery and $70 to install and reset computer. Any way around this? Which is the best battery? How about redtop gel type? Any thoughts?

[2MuchFun]

get a redtop and DO IT YOURSELF. you dont gotta reset crap.

[wawuzit]

Thanks

[RARON455]

they are tryin to jack you, you dont have to reset anything and changing the batt is simple.
I would not pay 120 for a stock battery either,

If you want to spend that kind of money buy you an optima they are great.

[StuntmanMike]

Wow, does that come with vasaline too?

Do it yourself, it won't take more than 20 minutes. No need to reset anything for a battery change.

Or go to Sears, last I knew, there was free installs for batteries.

And yeah, you can get a way better battery for less than 120.

[theGeneral]

it costs so much because dealerships have labor rates and they just base all repairs off that labor rate. I agree they should charge so much for a simple repair, but if they can make profit off of it they will. wouldn't you?

[hutch1999]

sounds like the dealership thought they found a sucker

[Zapper2003]

I don't have a monsoon system, but don't they require the password or whatever to be 'reactivated' after the battery comes out? Still is way too much money, autozone will install one for free

[tylerdurden1]

I would go w/ Interstate brand (megatron).They have 72mos free replacement with in 12mos and the rest is pro rated. Just make sure the radio is off, before disconnecting the old battery.

[rbob93]

I have a Walmart battery that's 3 years old & it was < $50.....didn't see a reason to have a $120 battery.

Having the radio on or off before changing it has nothing to do with anything.
If you have the "Theftlock" activated then you will have to unlock it once you remove the power, but that's not a problem.....even if you forgot the code.
Post here & I'll tell you how to reset it.

Also.....make sure to fully charge the new one & it will last alot longer.

"Batteries rarely die of old age.....most are murdered"

[KyleLs1]

another vote for optima, bought mine at walmart 3 yrs ago never missed a beat yet

[0rion]

After you buy the battery I would drive to the dealership and change it in their parking lot. They almost got you good. Wonder how many people just pay it?

[kmassner]

+1 for the Wal-mart battery. I just buy a big 'un (I'm originally from MN, so used to care about cca).

[markzman97]

I bought by Bosch at Pep Boys and installed in their parking lot, make sure you have the right tools with you including a long extension to get the bottom bracket loose.

[Zapper2003]

Yeah, bottom bracket is a 13mm bolt, sometimes a LONG pair of needlenose pliers are handy for picking the bolt/bracket up out of there. A 5/16" wrench will be your friend, or if you forget or are in dire emergency, a pair of pliers. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to take a wire brush with you to clean up the terminals on your cables when you install the new battery.


I currently have the cheap-o walmart battery in my car (LT1) and it was the really really cheap one, like 30 bucks. It started the car...but on occasion it resets my trip-meter because it pulls SO much juice on startup. However, after sitting for a month or so without being started, I went out and fired it up to pull it into the shop, low and behold it started, but barely, it reset the trip meter and after the first 'roll' there was an obvious 'hold up' as the power level was so low. Once in the shop I screwed up even more, I was installing new speakers in the doors and sailpanels, and listening to music the whole time. The battery was so weak when I was done that believe it or not, it started the car, but was so weak I had to keep the RPM's over 1200 to keep the alternator charging enough, but it just wasn't enough. So I threw the battery on the charger for an hour to bring it back to life..put it back in the car and it started up better than ever before, no hesitation after the first roll at all.

[edbird]

Yeah,and when you get it installed and find it won't stay bolted down,we'll tell you about all the trays breaking and where you can get a hold down strap!

[0rion]

Yeah,and when you get it installed and find it won't stay bolted down,we'll tell you about all the trays breaking and where you can get a hold down strap!

I'd be willing to bet you could find a tray and battery for less than $200 so he'd still be ahead.

[edbird]

Absolutely! I'm starting my third year on an Autozone battery and the hold down strap was under $20.00 from Year One which fixes the cracked lip on tray thing.So do it yourself and save a bundle!

[IronBird]

Ditto for Wally-world!!

[basballny2]

red top FTW