battery removal

[scoe911]

My battery wont take a charge and I want to replace it. The problem is the fan shaped device in front of the battery(evaporator of some sort?). Anyway, how do I remove it ( how many screws and where?)

[DRACO A5OG]

Four

[scoe911]

I can see three screws where is the fourth?

[DRACO A5OG]

There should be 3 but some forget or give up onthe 4th one, it is hard to get to. Also there is some foam weather strip that may be holding it down a bit. Just pull her off.

When you put it back together, I would use some duck tape to keep the elements out of your trunk. If you are concour, replace foam weather strip.

[scoe911]

Nope, this is obviously done without removing this piece. After I remove the clamps(yes I know neg first,reconnect last), then the bracket holding the battery maybe I can stand It up?. Now that i look at this fan or whatever it is it may open possibly giving me more removal room.

[teamfee3]

You need to remove the fan, it's easy, I've done it many times and makes life much easier. That giant heazy battery will just damage the fan assembly. It's no big deal although a corner did break off of the fan base but three hold it fine.

[javadog]

It's tight, but you can remove a battery without removing the condenser fan..

JR

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by javadog

It's tight, but you can remove a battery without removing the condenser fan..

JR

I think so too, but the spare and every other loose thing has to be out of the way. Now, if you have the longer battery like I just bought....

[RSTarga]

don't fight it take the fan out, it is very ridgid plastic and is easily cracked

[janz]

Getting the front condensor fan assembly out and back in is harder than getting the battery out and in without removing anything. Once the hold down is removed from the side of the battery towards the front of the car and the clamps for the wires off lift the front side up so it tilts at a pretty good angle and it will lift out. I have the full size battery that just barely fits and this works for me. If you have to remove the fan assembly it is 4 phillips head screws but the front of the assembly actually has a molded piece that sticks through the pan behind the bumper. Getting this back in place and keeping its gasket in place is a lot more challenging that wiggling the battery out. Be careful of the windshield washer pump as thats located right in front of the battery.

[janz]

Of course you don't say what year your 911 is!

[scoe911]

Thanks janz...thought so ...now how heavy is that battery again. Just kidding I am sure I can lift it out like you suggest. My car is an 82..with the bigger battery(more amps?).

[porschzilla]

Originally Posted by scoe911

My battery wont take a charge and I want to replace it. The problem is the fan shaped device in front of the battery(evaporator of some sort?). Anyway, how do I remove it ( how many screws and where?)

I have changed at least 5 batteries in my 88 Carera since new. You must remove the black fan and use the long allen tool in the tool kit to remove the hold down screw for the battery. The battery comes out on an angle and goes back in on an angle. Then you spray a soapy substance, or rub a little dishwasher soap on the rubber and the fan slides back in. Bolt in the fan (after tightening the battery) and you are done.
I hate that job.

Good Luck
Jack

[SteveinTO]

I've got an '82 with the gigantic truck size battery. It goes in and out at an angle w/o removing the blower or the spare tire. It is a PITA, however. Current Sears battery has a plastic strap/handle that makes life a little easier. On the first removal years ago I discovered it's much easier if you remove the forward hold down clamp first.

[scoe911]

So it seems there are two schools of thought when it comes to this. However I just don't see removing this fan and then having to worry about sealing/seating issues. On top of that my old mechanic never took if out when he changed my battery 4 yrs ago(probably for the same issues). The porsche battery in the car now does have handle's ...I will let you guys know how this turns out...thanks

[Ned, NYNA11]

Get a shorter battery.

There is a tapped hole for the hold down flange for a shorter battery in my '87.

I is so easy to install the short battery that I will never again use a full size battery.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by scoe911

Thanks janz...thought so ...now how heavy is that battery again. Just kidding I am sure I can lift it out like you suggest. My car is an 82..with the bigger battery(more amps?).

Yes, there were two battery sizes available, 66Ah and 88Ah. That's the reason there are two holes for the clamp in the battery tray; the 66Ah battery is shorter in length. Either one works fine in a 911, the larger one is not necessary at all. Feel free to buy the smaller one to replace the one you have.

In spite of what others say, you do NOT need to pull the fan first. Make sure that you get the cables tied back well out of the way so they don't hinder removal and replacement of the battery. You'll find you have to tilt and slightly twist the battery to get it out. You may want to put a little duct tape on the corner of the fuel tank, as the battery will contact it when it comes out. Handles built into the battery help a great deal.

Have fun,
JR

[constructor]

This truly is a great forum with great information.

I apologize for bringing an old thread back, but I found this searching for battery removal in order to prepare my '89 911 for the winter and wanted to share my experience with this.

I just removed my large, long, truck size battery and had no issues doing this with the fan in place. I disconnected the battery then removed the front clamp. I slid the battery forward slightly to release it from the rear clap and then slid it back on top of the rear clamp. I covered the gas tank with a microfiber cloth and then tilted the front of the battery up to approximately 45 degrees. It came out pretty smoothly.

Thank you for all the above help.

EDIT: Question, now that the battery is out, how do I lock the doors. It is an '89 with central locking, and the key is doing nothing when turned in the door locks.

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by Ned, NYNA11

Get a shorter battery.

There is a tapped hole for the hold down flange for a shorter battery in my '87.

I is so easy to install the short battery that I will never again use a full size battery.

+1 as many times as you can. You don't need that huge battery.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by constructor

Question, now that the battery is out, how do I lock the doors. It is an '89 with central locking, and the key is doing nothing when turned in the door locks.

Put the battery back in....

JR