Fiat Bravo Quiz
Electrical system

Removing and Installing the Battery

In this manual: Electrical system
Dear Reader — 1Engine — 35Engine lubrication — 3Engine cooling — 10Ignition/spark plugs — 14Fuel system — 10Petrol fuel injection — 13Diesel injection system — 13Exhaust system — 7Clutch — 7Transmission / Gearshift / Automatic Transmission — 5Front Axle — 11Rear axle — 4Steering — 9Wheel alignment — 1Brake system — 22Wheels and tyres — 10Body — 34Heating — 6Electrical system — 39Lighting system — 14Instruments — 7Windscreen wiper system — 8Vehicle care / tools — 6Jump Starting / Towing the Vehicle — 3Jacking up the vehicle — 1Fiat Bravo / Brava Maintenance Schedule — 1Maintenance — 38Wiring diagrams — 5
~2min read

The battery is located on the left side of the engine compartment.

Warning: disconnecting the battery will erase the following electronic memories in the vehicle:

  • The so-called "learned" operating values for engine running are erased in the injection control unit. These include, for example, the idle speed control individually adjusted to this engine. After the battery has been reconnected, driveability faults (stuttering, misfiring during acceleration or rough idle) may therefore occur for a short time.

  • All stored faults of the injection and ignition system are erased from the fault memory.

  • The keycode for the anti-theft system and the stored radio presets are erased in the radio. The anti-theft coding is generally present in factory-installed car radios. If the code is not known, only a Fiat workshop can put the car radio back into operation.

To keep these memories from being erased, the workshop uses a so-called "memory retention cable". This cable is connected to a 9-volt dry-cell battery. The cable is available from automotive accessory retailers, but it can also be easily made yourself.

  • If a "memory retention cable" is not available, before disconnecting the battery make sure that the keycode for the radio anti-theft system is available and the fault memory has been read out (workshop work).

Note:

When replacing the car battery, be sure to take the old battery back to the dealer and return it.

Otherwise, a deposit must be paid for the new battery.

Removal

  • Open the hood.

Warning: Before disconnecting the battery cables, make sure that all electrical consumers in the vehicle are switched off.
Batterie aus- und einbauen

  • Disconnect the ground cable - 1 - from the negative terminal (-) - 2 - of the battery.

    To do so, loosen the clamp bolt, lift off the cable and set it aside.

  • Fold up cover - 3 -.

  • Disconnect the positive cable - 4 - from the positive terminal (+) and set it aside.

  • Unscrew the retaining nut -arrow- and remove the retaining plate. If necessary, unhook the retaining strap.

  • Lift the battery out.

Warning: Batteries contain toxic substances; they must not go into household waste. When buying a new battery, return the old battery to the dealer or take it to a hazardous waste disposal site. Municipal and city administrations provide information on the location of the nearest collection point. Installation

  • Before installation, clean the battery terminals to bare metal; a brass wire brush is suitable for this.

  • Insert the battery. Position the retaining plate and tighten the screws.

Warning: Before connecting the battery cables, check that all electrical consumers in the vehicle are switched off. Otherwise, sparks may occur when connecting or electrical equipment may be damaged. Make sure that the ground connections are in perfect condition and the contacts are clean. High transition resistance leads to overloading of the electronic control units, especially when starting, and in extreme cases can even destroy them.

  • Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal (+), then the ground cable to the negative terminal (-). Fit the terminal cap onto the positive terminal.

    Caution: an incorrectly connected battery can cause serious damage to the alternator and the electrical system.

  • To prevent corrosion, coat both terminals with special acid-resistant grease, for example petroleum jelly or Bosch terminal grease.

  • Set the clock.

  • Enter the anti-theft code for the radio. Store stations again.

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