Run into a little problem disconnecting the car battery

Kg810 · 11-12-2009, 09:07 PM

Hey I'm currently in the process of doing a non-zsp to m-tech steering wheel swap. I've seen the DIY guides and have all the parts needed for the swap. I've run into a little set back in terms of disconnecting the battery. As seen in this thread here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321403 - I've highlighted in green, the negative terminal. Now it may look like its ready to be taken off, but it simply, won't. It seems like there is still another bolt to be removed but I cannot find it. My battery also looks different from the DIY guides so I have resorted to posting here and my other thread to seek assistance. Thanks in advance.

JayKay335i · 11-12-2009, 09:47 PM

My battery is different then the one pictured. Theres one with the red distribution block and all the stuff attached. Theres the other terminal with just a bolt clamp on the terminal and a wire or two attached. Just loosen the bolt and slide it off.

stressdoc · 11-13-2009, 11:00 AM

Just a 10mm bolt on mine, different than pic in linked DIY. Comes off easily once loosened. Be careful not to crack battery terminal by torquing post. Sometimes you need to use a screwdriver, inserted in crack, and twist to get separation.

MSport steering wheel is a great mod. You will be happy! Hardest part is finding hole for clip release. Feel with your fingertips for the tiny soft spots on the backside (left and right); once you find them look closely and you will see it's a rubber covering that has an invisible slit.

Kg810 · 11-13-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Just a 10mm bolt on mine, different than pic in linked DIY. Comes off easily once loosened. Be careful not to crack battery terminal by torquing post. Sometimes you need to use a screwdriver, inserted in crack, and twist to get separation.

MSport steering wheel is a great mod. You will be happy! Hardest part is finding hole for clip release. Feel with your fingertips for the tiny soft spots on the backside (left and right); once you find them look closely and you will see it's a rubber covering that has an invisible slit.

Which crack are you referring to? I've removed the 10mm bolt and I can sorta move it around, slightly, but it will not come off. I don't want to use too much force cause I don't want to break anything important. I'll post the pics of my battery here if it'll help.

ragingclue · 11-13-2009, 01:22 PM

looks like you're probably just stuck on a thread due to tension from the cable. Should come right off.

stressdoc · 11-13-2009, 02:03 PM

the terminal clamp -- the lead piece that attaches to the pole. Pry it apart just a bit to spread it/enlarge the 'hole'. Mine has always slid off very easily. Maybe there is some weird different attachment clamp for Cdn 328s. Give dealer a call?

Kg810 · 11-13-2009, 02:54 PM

I'll definitely try to pry/loosen it a bit when I get off work and go home to attempt it again. Hopefully prying it will not damage the piece/clamp at all. I'll update you guys when I get home. In the mean time, if anyone else has some ideas or instructions, please feel free to chime in.

roadkillrob · 11-13-2009, 03:08 PM

just wiggle it back and forth and it will come off, it is is really tight, you can just push a screwdriver into the split area besid the bolt hole and spread it a little bit and it will loosen right up.

Good luck getting your airbag out - it is a bit more difficult than getting the battery disconnected!

Kg810 · 11-13-2009, 03:15 PM

Yeah, I think I will pry/split the tabs to loosen it and see if it'll come off. Hopefully it'll work.

Hahah yeah I know I'm in for a rough ride with the airbag, it'll be worth it in the end so I don't mind too much. I'll keep you guys updated.

ENINTY · 11-14-2009, 06:20 AM

Be careful removing the negative terminal. The repair manual says the negative terminal has electronics in it that can be easily damaged. Most auto parts stores sell a battery terminal remover. It looks like a mini gear puller.

Kg810 · 11-14-2009, 07:38 PM

Got around to swapping it today, I was able to loosen the clamp a little with a screwdriver and it came undone much easier. Here's the final pic. Totally worth it.

11-12-2009, 09:07 PM	#1
Kg810 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 230 Posts Drives: .:R32 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	Run into a little problem disconnecting the car battery Hey I'm currently in the process of doing a non-zsp to m-tech steering wheel swap. I've seen the DIY guides and have all the parts needed for the swap. I've run into a little set back in terms of disconnecting the battery. As seen in this thread here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321403 - I've highlighted in green, the negative terminal. Now it may look like its ready to be taken off, but it simply, won't. It seems like there is still another bolt to be removed but I cannot find it. My battery also looks different from the DIY guides so I have resorted to posting here and my other thread to seek assistance. Thanks in advance.
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11-12-2009, 09:47 PM	#2
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	My battery is different then the one pictured. Theres one with the red distribution block and all the stuff attached. Theres the other terminal with just a bolt clamp on the terminal and a wire or two attached. Just loosen the bolt and slide it off.
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11-13-2009, 11:00 AM	#3
stressdoc Moderator 617 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Just a 10mm bolt on mine, different than pic in linked DIY. Comes off easily once loosened. Be careful not to crack battery terminal by torquing post. Sometimes you need to use a screwdriver, inserted in crack, and twist to get separation. MSport steering wheel is a great mod. You will be happy! Hardest part is finding hole for clip release. Feel with your fingertips for the tiny soft spots on the backside (left and right); once you find them look closely and you will see it's a rubber covering that has an invisible slit. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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11-13-2009, 01:22 PM	#5
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	looks like you're probably just stuck on a thread due to tension from the cable. Should come right off.
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11-13-2009, 02:03 PM	#6
stressdoc Moderator 617 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	the terminal clamp -- the lead piece that attaches to the pole. Pry it apart just a bit to spread it/enlarge the 'hole'. Mine has always slid off very easily. Maybe there is some weird different attachment clamp for Cdn 328s. Give dealer a call? __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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11-13-2009, 02:54 PM	#7
Kg810 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 230 Posts Drives: .:R32 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	I'll definitely try to pry/loosen it a bit when I get off work and go home to attempt it again. Hopefully prying it will not damage the piece/clamp at all. I'll update you guys when I get home. In the mean time, if anyone else has some ideas or instructions, please feel free to chime in.
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11-13-2009, 03:08 PM	#8
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	just wiggle it back and forth and it will come off, it is is really tight, you can just push a screwdriver into the split area besid the bolt hole and spread it a little bit and it will loosen right up. Good luck getting your airbag out - it is a bit more difficult than getting the battery disconnected! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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11-13-2009, 03:15 PM	#9
Kg810 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 230 Posts Drives: .:R32 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	Yeah, I think I will pry/split the tabs to loosen it and see if it'll come off. Hopefully it'll work. Hahah yeah I know I'm in for a rough ride with the airbag, it'll be worth it in the end so I don't mind too much. I'll keep you guys updated.
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11-14-2009, 06:20 AM	#10
ENINTY Banned 172 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Be careful removing the negative terminal. The repair manual says the negative terminal has electronics in it that can be easily damaged. Most auto parts stores sell a battery terminal remover. It looks like a mini gear puller.
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11-14-2009, 07:38 PM	#11
Kg810 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 230 Posts Drives: .:R32 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	Got around to swapping it today, I was able to loosen the clamp a little with a screwdriver and it came undone much easier. Here's the final pic. Totally worth it.
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