how do i install a new car battery?

[robfilms]

our 1997 ford escort wouldn't start 3 days ago. according to my wife when she attempted to start there was a barely heard whirring sound-not to be confused w/the click-click sound of the starter. she blew the horn and checked the lights and, though weak, had each.

i just got off a 3 day shoot and now i need to get the car back on the road. i went out this morning and everything was dead. no lights, no horn, nada.

new battery? i figured i'd pull the battery, find an auto zone type auto supply, buy a similiar battery and re-install.

have never done this before so what should i be looking out for?

will the new battery come charged?

obviously make sure i keep the positive-positive and negative-negative. anything else? are there better batteries brands or are all the same.

this is a 1997 ford escort wagon w/82k. it generally runs fine and it fits our needs w/the dog, kids, decent gas mileage low 20s+ in town and hi 20s+ on the hiway.

i just want to get the car up and running and not turn the battery into an ongoing headache. once up and running i will monitor the car to make sure the battery is holding a charge.

any and all thoughts would be helpful.

thanks in advance

be well

rob

[BigGuynRusty]

Might be alternator.
Jump start and take it to a place where they check battery, and electrical.

BGnR

[MGS_forgot_password]

Yes, batteries are fully charged when you buy them.

[davester]

BGnR has it correct. From the information you have given, there is no way to determine if the problem is due to either your battery, a charging system problem, or a current drain (short or light left on). Jump start the car and drive it to the place you are planning to get the battery from. Or, better yet, if you know someone who has a charger, charge the battery overnight and if it starts drive it in and have the battery and charging system tested. Also, that way you'll be sure to get the new battery (if needed) installed correctly.

[lafinfil]

This will help -

http://www.ehow.com/how_512_replace-car-battery.html

Also remember - remove negative first, then positive and reinstall the opposite
positive first then negative,

A couple tips - you may need a socket on an extension rod to get to the clamp that holds the battery down.

Also the terminals themselves are a soft metal and easily deformed.
If you back out the bolt that tighten them take a flat head screwdriver
and gently pry it open so it fits all the way down.

Get a batter terminal brush too ( a couple bucks) It has two wire brushes
One that cleans the post and one that cleans the terminal.

As BGnR said it would pay to check alt - but it might just be corrosion on posts.
If the battery is 3 years old or more and you like in the freeze zone go ahead and replace it.

[Ken Sp.]

If it is the original Battery from 1997, it is very likely the battery.

BGnR is correct, If you don't want to jump it--at least take it with you to the auto parts store, and the can test it---and recycle it for you---and you may even save having to pay a Core deposit.

If you do jump it--some store will install the battery for you--it is easy.

The batteries do come charged.

[robfilms]

that what i enjoy about this forum.

ask a question and u get an answer...and occasionally it is the answer to the question asked!

thanks all.

be well

rob

[SteveJobs]

I think the escort battery is behind the front wheel well...

just kidding...

[tenders]

Sounds to me if the situation went from fine to bad to no juice, and from bad to no juice in 3 days, it may not be a battery at all. You may have left the light on in the glovebox, the courtesy lights on, or an automatic doorlock might have gotten stuck in the "activate" mode.

Jump that puppy and see what happens. Once a car hits 8 years old it should have a set of jumper cables in it anyway.

PS, batteries are not usually "fully" charged when you get them. They are "adequately" charged, and your car does the rest.

[Racer X]

[quote MGS_forgot_password]Yes, batteries are fully charged when you buy them.
not to nitpick, but usually in the 75-90% range. That is what they were when Exide shipped them to us, and they were about 3 weeks old when we got them at the store. Still plenty to start a vehicle in good condition.