How do I replace the battery? (2006 2.5L)

[nnz849913]

Originally Posted by dedwards0323

Per the service procedure I listed in an earlier thread, removing the fuse box is simple. There is a locking tab that needs to be slightly depressed (see PDF file). Once you do this, the fuse box will release easily and you can place it off to the side.

I didn't take any extraordinary precautions to save CPU settings. Replaced the battery, hooked the cables back up and the car started and ran fine. No issues whatsoever.

I would add you need to take extra care when removing the battery holddown bolt located at the bottom front of the battery tray. It's in a tight spot and can easily be dropped when removing or installing. Unfortunately, this happened to me when I was removing the bolt and it took some time for me to locate the bolt when I was putting new battery in. Lots of spots for holddown bolt to lodge itself if it's dropped.

It really is straightforward, but I consider myself extremely competent when it comes to perfoming car service work. I've been doing it for years on all my vehicles. And changing the battery in my 06 NBC took me a bit more than 15 minutes (probably 90 minutes) because I put everything back like original factory setup. Now that I've done it once, maybe a little over an hour now. (Note: You can add another 90 minutes for extra time it took to locate the holddown bolt I dropped!)

Skill sets vary between all of us when it comes to performing service work. Some will do the task in short order. Some will take longer. And when you don't have to do this task but once every 4-5 years, remembering all the steps and tricks is probably not going to happen in all of us.

Thanks to dedwards0323 for posting the service manual. However I got lost on "Unhook forward part of battery box -3- and
remove upwards" on the page 2 of that manual. Would anyone please tell me what that is? Thanks a lot

[dedwards0323]

If I remember, seems like there are a couple of locking tabs on the battery box that grab hold of the battery tray on the left side. I think I just pressed along the bottom of the battery box or felt for the hooks along the bottom edge. When I felt the hooks let go, the box sorta sprung out. Then you can proceed with removing the battery box like the procedure describes.

[nnz849913]

Originally Posted by dedwards0323

If I remember, seems like there are a coupe of locking tabs on the battery box that grab hold of the battery tray on the left side. I think I just pressed along the bottom of the battery box or felt for the hooks along the bottom edge. When I felt the hooks let go, the box sorta sprung out. Then you can proceed with removing the battery box like the procedure describes.

Thanks a lot to dedwards0323! I did it. It took me more than an hour to change the battery for the 2006 beetle. However, it only took me 10 minutes to do it on my Toyota Camry. I wonder why VW makes it so difficult. Anyway, I am very happy to save myself $150 by DIY. My local VW dealer wants to charge $236 (tax and fee included) for the job.

[dedwards0323]

Originally Posted by nnz849913

Thanks a lot to dedwards0323! I did it. It took me more than an hour to change the battery for the 2006 beetle. However, it only took me 10 minutes to do it on my Toyota Camry. I wonder why VW makes it so difficult. Anyway, I am very happy to save myself $150 by DIY. My local VW dealer wants to charge $236 (tax and fee included) for the job.

Glad I could help.

Later,

[Ipara]

Although this thread was a big help it did leave out some information or that information was to vague for me...

First of all I didn't do anything special concerning the car itself except to make sure the radio was turned off.

To replace the battery it should take you around 20 minutes or so.

The first thing to do is to remove the cover covering the top of the battery, no big deal.

Next you need to remove the fuse box located on top of the battery. To remove it you need to press down on the top left tab and then slide the assembly to the rear of the battery. Next remove the red cable running from the fuse box assembly to the positive terminal on the battery.

Next remove the negative terminal from the battery and move the cable out of the way. I tucked it up into the wheel well.

Next remove the positive terminal from the battery.

Next pull out the hose assembly that plugs into the left front of the battery cover, easy to do.

Next you need to remove the left portion of the battery cover. First you'll need to lift out the holder on the right side. Two tabs you'll see sticking up into the area where the fuse assembly is held. Next there's 2 tabs on the bottom left side of the battery cover. These are located on the left corners. If you can't see them then shine a flashlight down the left side so you can see them. These tabs need to be pulled out in order to release them. This is a tight fit in order to get your hands down there. Once released the left portion of the battery cover will lift out.

In the center front of the battery is a silver 13mm bolt that needs to be removed. This bolt goes through the battery tie down plate. The battery tie down plate will have a WHITE strip painted down it's center. The stripe will also align with the battery tray. The tie down bolt is about 2 inches long so just be aware that's it's not a short little bolt. I just removed the bolt with my fingers, but use pliers, etc. if that woks better for you. Just don't drop the bolt into the car.

Next slide the battery to the left until vertical, then lift it out.

Remove the protective cover from the old battery and slip it on the new one.

Just reverse the above steps to install the new battery except for the following to make your life a little easier.

First of all when you insert the new battery it will hang up on the battery tray so you'll need to lift up the right side here and there.

Second and very important is the battery tie down bolt!

First of all make sure the white strip is facing up on the tie down plate.

Second I used a pair of vice grips attached to the head of the bolt and used the combo to reinsert the bolt into the hole. This worked out great for me, but use whatever works for you. As stated in this thread you don't want to drop the bolt into your car!

Please feel free to move this comment as needed.