Hi all. I'm finally getting around to replacing my Pontiac Vibe's (2006) blower motor and blower motor resistor. I'm going to try to do it myself.
Very newbie question though. I hear conflicting info on this: which terminal do I disconnect first? For that matter do they both need to be disconnected? For that matter is any disconnecting even necessary?
What would you do personally? What's the general consensus?
Also, I hear conflicting info on which tools I need. Does anyone know the specifics? I'm also hearing conflicting info on that.
Thanks for your help.
2006 battery disconnect for DIY
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takearushfan
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Fri Jun 14, 2024 12:06 pm
Re: 2006 battery disconnect for DIY
For the battery itself I mean. The rest I know (I think/hope)
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andrewclaus
- Posts: 565
- Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:38 pm
- Location: Golden, CO
Re: 2006 battery disconnect for DIY
The negative cable, just 'cause it's easier.
I sometimes violate the safety rule for operations I know how to do, are not near the SRS system or fuel, and are just a matter of unplugging something small and plugging something else back in. It saves the programming in the radio and various other memories. If you're working with the starter system, the fuse or relay blocks, or doing heavy wrenching in the engine compartment, don't skip that step. There's a lot of energy in a car battery.
I sometimes violate the safety rule for operations I know how to do, are not near the SRS system or fuel, and are just a matter of unplugging something small and plugging something else back in. It saves the programming in the radio and various other memories. If you're working with the starter system, the fuse or relay blocks, or doing heavy wrenching in the engine compartment, don't skip that step. There's a lot of energy in a car battery.
Re: 2006 battery disconnect for DIY
As andrewclaus said, not sure you really need to disconnect the battery for that job, because the blower and resistor only get power when the key is in the ON position. Leave the key out of the ignition and you'll be fine. However, its easy, and and go ahead and disconnect the battery negative terminal if you want. The stock radio should remember the station presets but you'll need to reset the clock.
Always disconnect the negative battery terminal first, I speak from personal experience. When you disconnect the negative terminal, if you're clumsy and your wrench touches the negative terminal and the car body at the same time, nothing happens. Once the negative is disconnected, if you are clumsy and touch the positive terminal and the car body, nothing happens because there is no longer a path to the negative terminal. However, if you go to disconnect the positive terminal first, and are clumsy, and the wrench touches the positive terminal and your metal watch band (or ring) which is resting on the car body, the current has a path from the positive terminal through the wrench, the watch band, and the car body back to the still connected negative terminal, and the resultant high current will instantly heat your watch band giving you second degree burns, and may arc weld some of those metal things together.
Always disconnect the negative battery terminal first, I speak from personal experience. When you disconnect the negative terminal, if you're clumsy and your wrench touches the negative terminal and the car body at the same time, nothing happens. Once the negative is disconnected, if you are clumsy and touch the positive terminal and the car body, nothing happens because there is no longer a path to the negative terminal. However, if you go to disconnect the positive terminal first, and are clumsy, and the wrench touches the positive terminal and your metal watch band (or ring) which is resting on the car body, the current has a path from the positive terminal through the wrench, the watch band, and the car body back to the still connected negative terminal, and the resultant high current will instantly heat your watch band giving you second degree burns, and may arc weld some of those metal things together.