How do you access the battery on a Dodge Intrepid?

Answer 1

For a 2002 Intrepid, the access is under the air cleaner assembly, and by using the access panel in the right front wheel well.

Since nothing about it is mentioned in the owners manual, and I just did this operation in the dark last evening, I will try to be very specific. My car was built in Canada and had both US and metric nuts and bolts. I had 1/2", 9 and 10 mm nuts and bolts. I used both wrenches and sockets.

1. Turn steering to far right. If the battery is dead, the Power Steering pump will not be working, so it will take a good deal of effort. Be sure to have the ignition key in the On position so the steering wheel lock is open. This will allow the steering wheel to turn with damaging the mechanism.

2. I found it easiest to unclip the top of the air clear, loosen the clamp that hose clamp, and then remove the entire top of the cleaner. (If it has been awhile, suggest considering air cleaner filter replacement.)

3. To remove the bottom of the air cleaner assembly, there is a bullet shaped tipped anchor to the right of the housing. Lift up from underneath the housing until that side is free. There are two more anchors to the left inside of the housing, pull the housing to the right to free them. Remove housing and set aside.

4. Now the top of the battery is visible enough to see the battery clamp with two nuts holding the clamp. I found it easier to remove both nuts to get the clamp out of the way.

5. The right wheel access panel has five screws that will need to be removed. The access panel will come free by lifting from the bottom tab on the panel and wiggling the panel to move out of the wheel well.

6. Access to the battery terminal closest to the firewall side can come from the wheel well, or from the top. Loosen nut on the battery terminal clamp and free the cable. I found it best to get the cable back out of the way by trapping it in the nearby hoses.

7. Slide the battery away from the front (towards the firewall) so that access to the other battery terminal is made. Loosen the battery cable nut and free the battery from the cable.

8. I found it easier to slide the battery out the opening in the wheel well, but others mention lifting the battery from the top. At this point, whatever method is used feels like a major accomplishment.

9. Installation of the battery is using the reverse of these steps.

10. Buy a long life battery so that you don't need to go through this exercise again. I can't imagine doing this on the side of the road, in the winter, etc..