How to remove battery from 01 EV WK?????

[crazylev]

Hello all.

I am trying to figure out how to remove the main battery from my 01 EV WK. I know from reading other inquiries, that there is supposed to be a 13mm bolt toward the bottom front of the battery. I can't see this bolt because there are a bunch of cables that run parallel to the battery, perhaps covering bolt. I also read the you are suppose to be able to push down on the black fuse box thing in front of the battery to remove(????) I can't move that, unless there is a hidden lock/latch I should be pressing. I've posted some photos. The metal bracket that is clearly seen.

Also, how do you remove the clamps from the battery itself? Is loosening the nut on the top of the cable clamp the way to do this? Never seen a battery connector like this.

Thanks for your help.

Jonathan

[Tvättbjörn]

Unscrew the 6 mm nut with a 10mm socket on the clamps a few turns. Than turn the cable clamps slightly and remove. Start with the ground / negative cable first. Move the wires away and loosen the 8mm bolt with a 13mm socket and extension for hold down clamp. Take out battery.

[crazylev]

Thanks Tvättbjörn.

It sounds like the cables have to be removed from battery in order to access the 13mm bolt at bottom of bracket. Do you know if I would have to disconnect all the wires that are attached to the battery clamps or can those remain in place?

I am going to replace the batter with an Interstate MT-47/H5 Group H5. This is the size recommended on Interstates site.

After install, is there anything (other than radio) that needs to be reset? I've heard something about transmission computer, and if so what is the procedure for doing that?

Thanks to all for your help

[Abscate]

You don’t have to disassemble the cables but the terminals should already be disconnected, especially with the wiring hacks going on there. This is mechanics 001
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[Tvättbjörn]

[crazylev]

Thank you Abscate and Tvättbjörn!

I borrowed a friends 13mm socket and extender bar to reach the bolt. Has anyone replaced their battery with the Interstate I posted above? I'm just going the Lead Acid way.

JL

[OB Bus]

I replaced the “correct“ battery with a standard 24F from Costco. Why? Easier to find. The cable on the left (as you face the engine) was now a tad too short. I ordered a cut off switch from Amazon that had the effect of lengthening he cable enough.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.
People deserve the Government they voted for.

[IdeaNerd]

I'm removing the main battery from one of our vans today, and ran into the same "how do I get to the clamp-down bolt (that I can't even see)!?" question as the OP. No other vehicle I've owned makes it quite this awkward.

I expected this to be super-quick and simple, so my frustration level was quickly approaching angle-grinder levels. Decided to search here instead. This thread saved the day. So, a quick post to say "thanks" for the replies, and especially @Tvättbjörn's "Leave all the small wires on the clamps. You need a long extension and a 13mm socket. You just have to push the lower plastic towards the battery to get the socket on."

Glad we're all here, helping each other out. Thanks all.

[MrPulldown]

[Abscate]

When I did rotations in Chicago there were battery removal experts on every block on the South side. They covered both foreign and domestic
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[Phogman]

WOW! Just want to add on to previous comment about how this posting saved me a ton of aggravation and probably a pretty fee for a mechanic to switch out my battery.

The photos made all the difference, along with the instruction to find the 8mm bolt and 13mm head by pushing stuff toward the battery. NEVER would have found that head, let alone the bolt as it was buried under the cables in front of my battery.

The extension is an absolute must - I was lucky to have one just long enough to access the head. It's a tight, almost blind fit.

Sincerely appreciate you guys detailing this above. Searched YOUTUBE and couldn't find a thing - this saved my a$$

[handy island]

I was still confused after reading all of this. So I will add:

the 13mm bolt is indeed underneath the bundle of plastic wire wraps. Pushing them toward the battery was not effective for me. I had to wiggle my socket through the middle of the bundle and then take care not to back the bolt all the way out because it would be a challenge to re-insert it.

[hightor]

Last night replaced my 02's battery and this forum helped troubleshoot the obvious frustration that I felt, and so many others did at "how to get the battery out"!?! The bolt is so unexpected. Thanks for everyone's generous contribution to sharing knowledge here.

[kguarnotta]

I just want the 2nd or 3rd the thanks...just had to replace my battery - and that bolt head was buried, if I didn't know it was there - i probably would not have found it.

Very helpful to know what socket size to use as well.

thanks.
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-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

2001 Eurovan
'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[61 BUS]

Reviving an old thread. How do I lift the battery out past the bundle of wire harnesses coming out of the firewall? It looks like the plastic box in front of the battery won't move away far enough for the battery to clear the harnesses because of that bracket it's butting up against, and there's not much service loop in those harnesses.

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61 Bus, 76 Beetle, 2001 Eurovan GLS, 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, 47 Plymouth Business Coupe, 58 BMW Isetta 300

[OB Bus]

[61 BUS]

Thanks. After a bit of wrangling, I was able to get it out.
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61 Bus, 76 Beetle, 2001 Eurovan GLS, 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, 47 Plymouth Business Coupe, 58 BMW Isetta 300

[RialtaJack]

Add me to those eternally grateful for this information. We have a 2002 Winnebago Rialta motor home that is based on the Eurovan and when I looked at what I usually consider a quick swap, I thought "I hope there is info on the web". This website was the first hit. Thanks!