[PSteak]

My dealer recently went through the truck looking for ways to empty my wallet and said the battery is looking weak; they wanted to charge me around $200 for replacement. The battery is old and I do have it in my mind to replace it for peace of mind due to age. 2011 with right around 30,000 miles (I'm home office based and previous job supplied a company truck).

I want to replace the battery myself to save money but see in the FSM that there are 3 reset procedures that need to be done when replacing a battery. Do these sensors self reset, can they be reset with an over the counter OBD scan tool? Any additional heads-up when replacing the battery, other than losing the radio presets obviously?

 

[The other Sean]

The only one I've had is the VDC light will be on, but, driving slowly in a straight line for a distance always shuts the light off. Mine always shuts off by the time I get to the end of my alley.

 

[PSteak]

Sounds like something just needs to self-calibrate.

 

[The other Sean]

I believe it is the steering angle sensor, yes.

 

[geekmyride]

If you are replacing a working battery (not dead already), just take a pair of jumper cables and hook a spare battery (or another vehicle) to the battery cables while you change out the battery. Take care not to bridge hot to ground. Keeps your radio presets and calibrations as the truck never knows the battery was swapped.

FWIW: I would take the $200 and buy a real battery instead of the OEM model that vents near the positive terminal and corrodes it up...

 

[mtyler11]

not necessary...

when I replaced my oem batt with an Oddessy I had no faults. Even when I let my oem batt run down too low only issue I had was the ABS/VDC/SLIP light. go for a quick drive after and it cleared.

If starting from a good charge, you will be fine. Just get a good sealed unit (either maint free or AGM).

Make sure you have your steering wheel mostly straight and doors/accessories off when R&R battery.

Then be sure your batt connector is good & clean and give it a bit of corrosion protection.

 

[mtyler11]

... just take a pair of jumper cables and hook a spare battery (or another vehicle) to the battery cables while you change out the battery. Take care not to bridge hot to ground. Keeps your radio presets and calibrations as the truck never knows the battery was swapped....

That certainly can work, but it's a risk I don't like to take nor advise others to take. Plus radio presets aren't a big deal and ECM trims/calibrations are fine to reset every so often. Kinda like rebooting your computer... If you do really care about it there are kits that use a battery with a cig lighter adapter to feed power in (like a jump pack or solar panel). You could make something similar with parts around the shop...

 

[raine]

My dealer recently went through the truck looking for ways to empty my wallet and said the battery is looking weak; they wanted to charge me around $200 for replacement. The battery is old and I do have it in my mind to replace it for peace of mind due to age. 2011 with right around 30,000 miles (I'm home office based and previous job supplied a company truck).

I want to replace the battery myself to save money but see in the FSM that there are 3 reset procedures that need to be done when replacing a battery. Do these sensors self reset, can they be reset with an over the counter OBD scan tool? Any additional heads-up when replacing the battery, other than losing the radio presets obviously?

I've had my battery disconnected for over 24 hours a few times, didn't have to do any of these "procedures" when I hooked it back up.

 

[PSteak]

Appreciate the input and assistance everyone.

 

[bob-w]

This must be a new money making pitch by dealers. had oil changed with 19.95 coupon and then was told battery was weak and going bad and wanted 189.00 to change it. told them no thank you and had it retested at Sams for free and was told it was ok. That was 3mo ago and still running. So you may want to get it retested!

 

[teecro]

I've had the battery disconnected several times while I wasted my energy on LED headlights and only recall having to reset the radio presets, seems that the other audio setting are retained... Anyway nothing that you can't do from home or in the parking lot of your favored auto parts store...

 

[FFTR]

I have lived in AZ for almost 30 years. My experience is you are lucky to get 3+ years out of a battery. The heat seems to take a toll on the battery. When they go bad, they go bad. Very little if any warning. Basically, I replace the battery in our vehicles every 2 to 3 years.