Ask the Car People.SM


A Mechanic's Life - Tales From Under the Hood

3515 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 2:06 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Auto Repair, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan

     This topic is primarily for professional mechanics, current or retired, or ardent amateurs who would like to share the suprises, victories, tricks and challenges of working on the modern automobile. All Forums members are invited, of course, to ask technicians about their work, or comment on your own experiences dealing with mechanics.
 
If you have a maintenance or repair question about your vehicle, please use search to find one of our Maintenance and Repair discussions, or ask a question in Edmunds Answers.

Messages Page 48 of 352

#467 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [isellhondas] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Nov 05, 2012 (10:24 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 05, 2012 10:00 am)
just pull the bulbs out of the trunk lights. How often are you in your trunk at night?

#468 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Nov 05, 2012 (11:48 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Nov 05, 2012 10:24 am)
I thought of that too but they look tricky to pull out. I would just put them back in after teh batter is charged up.
 
It was dark last night when I looked so I'll give them another look. I just thought there may have been a trick the shops use.

#469 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [isellhondas] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Nov 05, 2012 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 05, 2012 11:48 am)
well you could pull the wire off the push button switch and tape it up.
 
OR
 
If the battery charger cord were long enough, the trunk lid would probably close over that, no problem.

#470 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Nov 05, 2012 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Nov 05, 2012 12:21 pm)
I thought about slamming the trunk lid on the cord but I was afraid the battery wouldn't be able to vent.
 
I have seen, first hand, car batteries explode and it isn't pretty!
 
Goiing to go look at it now...

#471 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [isellhondas] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Nov 05, 2012 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 05, 2012 1:15 pm)
Oh that's a point---venting---best to leave it open.

#472 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [isellhondas] by fezo

Nov 05, 2012 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 05, 2012 1:15 pm)
I have seen, first hand, car batteries explode and it isn't pretty!
 
That's one experience I hope to miss. Definitely not on my bucket list.

#473 of 3515 Re: 1984 Cavalier Alignment [thecardoc3] by xwesx

Nov 05, 2012 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Nov 04, 2012 4:21 am)
Before my trick that alignment would have paid me about $21.00 to do if I had also adjusted camber both sides. After the manager saw how well my idea worked, it went back to $6.50 for the whole thing just like a toe and go.
 
  So much for innovation.
 
When innovation is not rewarded, the end result is that you don't have innovators.

#474 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [isellhondas] by roadburner

Nov 05, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Nov 05, 2012 1:15 pm)
I thought about slamming the trunk lid on the cord but I was afraid the battery wouldn't be able to vent.
 
Sorry for the late reply, but two comments:
 
1. The battery should be vented to the outside already if it is trunk mounted. A vent tube should be connected to the battery.
 
2. There is a positive terminal located under the hood for jump starting; you can hook up the trickle charger there. That is what most owners do.

#475 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [roadburner] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Nov 05, 2012 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 05, 2012 6:58 pm)
positive terminal located under the hood for jump starting;
 
Shoot, if I had known that perhaps I could have saved a guy from unpacking his trunk at a rest area last year when he was trying to get a jump in his BMW. It was pretty obvious he was on a long vacation - lots of duffle lying around.
 
Since then I've learned that our Chrysler owning friend has her battery buried in the fender well, and her car also has the remote terminal deal.

#476 of 3515 Re: What's the big deal? [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Nov 06, 2012 (2:39 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Nov 05, 2012 1:34 pm)
I managed to jury rig it with a 2X4 and it's charging now.
 
Fezo, an exploding car battery can make an M-80 sound like a cap pistol.
 
I had forgotten all about the terminal under the hood....duh! Next time I'll use that! Thanks for reminding me!

Messages Page 48 of 352

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement