Changing the battery...

17tobyracing · Post by **17tobyracing** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:01 am

I was just wondering if anyone has changed the battery in their Vibe to avoid/correct the ongoing issues in cold weather? I live in the heart of the "Lake Effect" snow belt region of New York and can't afford to wait until GM decides to address this problem. Especially since this is my wife's car and she uses it to cart the kids around with it. I am just looking for direction on what size/amp battery to replace the OEM unit with. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Houston · Post by **Houston** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:42 am

I'm waiting for the TSB, but just for the heck of it stopped by Sears yesterday. They have three batteries (Group 35) - the Weather Handler (I think that's what it's called), the DieHard Silver and the DieHard Gold. Of the three the Weather Handler has the least number of CCA, the Silver is in the middle, and The Gold has the most at 640 CCA, The only one I priced was the DieHard Gold and that one installed came to $90 plus tax. Each of the three has lots more CCA than the lawn-mower 310 CCA battery that came with the Vibe.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:45 am

The TSB for the battery replacement is supposed to be released before 12/25...

17tobyracing · Post by **17tobyracing** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:45 am

Thanks for the information...will the Diehard Gold fit the current battery box/holder in the Vibe?

Houston · Post by **Houston** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 2:14 am

The battery that comes in the Vibe is "Group 35" and can be seen on the top of the battery. The sales guy said that the group number is what they go by and that it would fit.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:59 am

Today I did a really stupid thing and went to Walmart. Something to be avoided the last sunday before Christmas. Anyway, while I was in there I saw they had a 900 CCA battery for about $60 US + tax.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:08 pm

Mmm...900 CCA...raw power!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:22 pm

Mmmm...Wal-Mart.I'm gonna swing by Advanced Auto Parts tomorrow and see if they have a Yellow-top Optima for our car... Gotta love the Optimas...they last freakin' forever..

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:27 pm

maddigital on matrix owners got a deep cell optima to run all his A/V stuff in his matrix.not sure the specs, but might wanna reach out for him.

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 1:07 pm

Fish didn't Salsa! or someone get the dealer to change their battery? 310Amps ain't gonna cut it in our winters that is for sure!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:04 pm

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe Â»Fish didn't Salsa! or someone get the dealer to change their battery? 310Amps ain't gonna cut it in our winters that is for sure!Yeah, some people managed to get the dealers to change it out...it seems to be based on the dealer though, there isn't an official from Pontiac / GM yet. (I think...)

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 11:23 pm

No TSB yet, but supposedly it will be out by Thursday.

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 12:05 am

On Christmas????That would be a nice gift from GM

Houston · Post by **Houston** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 1:19 pm

I'll give that TSB another two weeks or so, then will do what I gotta do before being stuck in the boondocks.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 1:21 pm

Apparantly I misunderstood, and the TSB was not due out by xmas, but the process of notifying dealers supposedly had started.Don't hold me to that though...nick's the expert here!

Post by **NSimkins** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 1:39 pm

Quote, originally posted by Houston Â»I'll give that TSB another two weeks or so, then will do what I gotta do before being stuck in the boondocks.Houston, I've been updating the thread here primarily:http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...90116From the last time I posted in your thread about the battery concerns, there has been alot of progress for the replacement. The holiday's put a damper on its completion (since a clerical problem occurred as of late) due to many personnel at GM being on vacation. I'll post as soon as any other updates are received.

Houston · Post by **Houston** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 11:14 pm

Many thanks to both you and ragingfish.

DavidPIL · Post by **DavidPIL** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:18 am

I didn't want to deal with waiting for a new battery through GM so I decided to go with an engine block heater. I've read posts stating both pros and cons about em but on a few days when it got down to 10F degrees or so, the engine cranked like normal, didn't idle too extremely high (1.2-1.5k) and was pumpin warm air into the cabin by the time I got to the end of the driveway (alley). Unless I start adding Stereo amps and other electronics, I think I'll live with this till I NEED a new battery. I have to believe starting a warmed engine is better for the engine itself than having more CCAs. (most of the Aluminum parts are warm to the touch and the temp gauge usually reads about 20 degrees warmer than the ambient temp - that is until I get movin). Just something to consider if you don't have a block heater yet, live where it freezes and have an electrical source near where you park.Dave

Changing the battery...

Changing the battery...

Re: Changing the battery... (17tobyracing)

Re: Changing the battery... (17tobyracing)

Re: Changing the battery... (Houston)

Re: Changing the battery... (17tobyracing)

Re: Changing the battery... (17tobyracing)

Re: Changing the battery... (joatmon)

Re: Changing the battery... (ragingfish)

Re: Changing the battery... (Jahntassa)

Re: Changing the battery... (ragingfish)

Re: Changing the battery... (ArcsVibe)

Re: Changing the battery... (Jahntassa)

Re: Changing the battery... (ragingfish)

Re: Changing the battery... (ragingfish)

Re: Changing the battery... (Houston)

Re: Changing the battery... (Houston)

Re: Changing the battery... (NSimkins)

Re: Changing the battery... (17tobyracing)