ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012) Discussion topics related to 2007+ ES350

Disconnecting the battery

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Old 09-10-10, 11:08 AM
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shoffman
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Default Disconnecting the battery

I am going to attempt to install Sirius http://www.tss-radio.com/products/so...rius-interface and I was wondering if I unhook the battery will all the presets be lost? Like the key fobs, seats, etc? Does it make any difference which battery cable you unhook? Thanks in advance!
Old 09-10-10, 11:46 AM
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MadMax96
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I wouldn't worry about the keys. I think at most you might lose your radio presets.

Generally when disconnecting the battery for installing devices or doing maintenance, you remove the cable from the negative terminal.
Old 09-10-10, 01:37 PM
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Dave Mac
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Last time I had my battery replaced the tech recorded and kept all of my radio presets but I lost most of everyting else including at least one of my Personalized Settings. I suppose you could avoid this by plugging a booster pack into your lighter but I have always been wary of this technique.

Dave Mac
Old 09-10-10, 01:49 PM
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shoffman
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Do you think it's absolutely necessary to unhook the battery for a simple plug n play install?
Old 09-10-10, 06:54 PM
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Dave Mac
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I've done a lot of jobs like this without disconnecting the battery - always without incident (at least serious incident) but you will notice that every instruction that you see starts off with "first disconnect the negative terminal of the battery" and you have to think there must be a reason for that so I guess I'm saying "do as I say not as I do". Disconnecting the battery is not the simple task it used to be and I can't see why it would be necessary in a plug and play installation. Good luck.

Dave Mac
Old 09-10-10, 10:37 PM
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overclock
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One of the main reasons for disconnecting the battery is so that you don't accidentally trip one of the air bags. One air bag could cost you thousands. You probably won't short the radio or anything else out. When I replaced the speakers in the doors I didn't disconnect the battery.

And disconnecting the battery will make you lose your presets and seat positionings. I tried one of those stupid 9 volt in the lighter thingys and it didn't work whatsoever. Biggest waste of $4 ever.
Old 09-11-10, 08:16 AM
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Dave Mac
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Overclock is right and most of my experience with not disconnecting the battery is pre-airbag days. The only problem I would encounter was an occasional blown fuse. Airbags systems are powerful as well as expensive and deserve a lot of respect so you are probably better off not following my advice even though just plugging in some radio components should not cause a problem.

Dave Mac
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