Replacing Ford Focus Battery

[BlackLS]

After parking with the nose uphill in Kings Cross last night and trying to get the thing started (damn Focus fuel pickup) after 3 or so goes on the starter motor I had drained the battery and I had to flag down a taxi to get it jump started.

Before this I knew there was something up with the battery, if I only did little 5 min trips the car would eventually run out of starting power in a week. Battery is the original from new (Nov 05) and has done 185,000kms

So enough was enough and I decided to fork out for a new battery.

The standard battery is a DIN53LMF. This is standard in the WP/WQ (not sure about WS) Fiesta and all models of Focus, except ST170 (not sure on LS onward XR5s)

Both LR and LS onward battery boxes have the provision to fit the DIN65LMF battery, which is found in the ST170. For an extra $20 it is worth the extra power especially if you put extra demand on the electrical systems with fog lights, car fridges or big stereos.


Steps to Change Battery:


1. Remove metal jewellery, take off battery cover and remove terminals with 10mm ring spanner. When doing the +ve post, be careful not to touch anything else with the spanner or you may short out the battery and blow your car up. Wrapping the rest of the spanner with electrical tape is a good way to prevent this.


2. Unclip the wiring looms from the front of the battery box and move out of the way. You'll need to undo the left battery retainer nut to get the -ve cabling out the way.
3. Unclip the front of the battery box and pull out


4. Undo the other nut for the battery retainer beam/bracket (will need a 10mm socket and short extension bar.


5. Slide and angle battery out


6. Clean out the box


7. Remove the short battery spacer (if you replace the battery with the larger one)




8. Remember that you can't open the tailgate without electricity.



9. Replace battery and put everything back together, remembering to put the front of the battery box on before clamping the terminals back on.