Car Fix DIY Videos

CamryForums.com is the leading Toyota Camry resource for technical, DIY guides. Replacing the battery on your Toyota Camry is a fairly simple procedure. With a little knowledge and caution, you too can replace the battery in a matter of minutes. For the complete guide on this how-to, please visit http://www.camryforums.com/how-tos/a/toyota-camry-how-to-replace-battery-396984.
In most cases when your car fails to start, the culprit is a dead battery. If jumping it only gets you enough juice for one ride, or if a test shows that your battery is just flat-out dead, then it’s time to replace it. Paying a professional to do it is unnecessary, especially if you can get to an auto parts store to purchase a new battery. If you can, then you likely have the tools you need on-hand already. Just be careful not to spill any battery fluid as you remove the old battery and install the new one. If you get fluid on your skin, run warm water over it and call the doctor. If you get fluid on your clothing, remove it, and scrub with a mixture of baking soda and warm water. If you spill fluid in your engine compartment, clean the affected area with a mixture of baking soda and warm water.

The job of changing the battery in your Camry will only take ten minutes. It’s an easy job, and will only cost you the price of a new battery unit.

The supplies you’ll need for this job are: a new battery, 10mm or 12mm wrench depending on what size battery terminals are in the car, baking soda and water for cleaning if the terminals are corroded, and gloves.

Step 1 – Preparation

Turn off all electrical components in your car, such as the radio, headlights, dome lights. Turn the ignition off and open the hood. To help ensure your safety, put on gloves. Have your replacement battery handy, and a tidy place to set the old battery for disposal.

Step 2 – Disconnect the Negative Terminal

Locate your battery, which is likely near the front of the engine compartment.Disconnect the negative black battery terminal cable, which has a minus sign near the terminal. If you can’t distinguish which cable is which, look in your owner’s manual. To disconnect the negative battery terminal:
Lift up on the terminal clamp protective cover.
Use 10mm wrench to loosen the terminal clamp.
Twist the clamp by hand while pulling up on it until you’ve disconnected it from the battery.

Step 3 – Disconnect the Positive Terminal
Disconnect the positive red battery terminal cable, which has a plus sign near the terminal. To disconnect the positive battery terminal:
Lift up on the terminal clamp protective cover.
Use 10mm wrench to loosen the terminal clamp.
Twist the clamp by hand while pulling up on it until you’ve disconnected it from the battery.

Step 4 – Remove the bracket holding the battery

Use a 10mm or a 12mm wrench depending on the size of the clamp bolts on your battery to loosen the clamp bolts holding the battery in place. If they won’t loosen, use a flat head screwdriver to try to dislodge them, and then loosen with your 10mm or 12mm wrench. Once you’ve removed the clamp bolts, you can pull the clamp assembly out and set it aside, or simply turn it out of the way. Be careful not to touch the positive terminal with your tools as you work, as this may cause sparks to fly.

Step 5 – Remove the Old Battery

Lift up on the battery and pull it out. Set it aside in a clean area to the side.

Step 6 – Inspect the Surrounding Cables, Bracket, and Compartment

If you spot any corrosion, use a mixture of warm water and baking soda to thoroughly clean the battery cables, the bracket that holds it in place, and the compartment.

Step 7 – Install the New Battery
Installation is the reverse of removal:
Install the new battery into the battery compartment.
Make sure the negative and positive battery terminal cables are positioned correctly.
Position the bracket that holds the battery in place and replace the clamp bolts, tightening only enough to keep the battery from moving.
Connect the positive battery terminal cable, and apply grease to the terminal and clamp. This will help protect against corrosion.
Connect the negative black battery terminal cable, and apply grease to the terminal and clamp. This will help protect against corrosion.
Close the hood.
Turn on the engine and make sure car turns on. If it doesn’t, check your negative and positive battery terminal cables and make sure they’re connected tightly.

With a fresh battery installed, you can feel confident that your Camry will start up every time you turn the key.