How do you change a 2006 VW bug battery?

Answer 1

I just completed this project and I would advise taking it to the dealer because finding a replacement battery the same size is almost impossible. The dealer should replace the battery at no charge if you buy it from them. I ended up having purchasing a new from my local VW dealer because Interstate told me it was going to take two weeks to get a replacement. If you want to try, here's what I did:

1. Make sure you have the radio security code to re-enable the radio when you're finished.
2. Turn the radio off and remove the ignition key.
3. Disconnect the battery, negative side first.
4. Push down on the tab to release the wiring junction box from the top of the plastic battery box cover.
5. Cut the cable tie where the plastic air tube is connected to the front of the plastic battery box cover. You'll need a new one when you re-assemble.
6. For clearance during re-installation, disconnect and remove the air intake tube between the filter box and the engine. This tube has two other flexible air tubes connect to it that will need to be disconnected.
7. Remove the left side of the plastic battery box cover by pulling straight up on the tabs on the top of the box cover.
8. At the front of the battery at the bottom, there is a 13mm bolt holding the battery in place. You need a long extension to remove it.
9. Loosen, but don't remove, the bolt. If you try to remove it all the way, you might drop it. (I dropped mine and needed a long magnetic retrieval tool to recover it)
10. Lift the battery out, left side first. You may have to orient the battery in a vertical position to remove. Do this quickly so you don't spill any of the battery acid.
11. Because of the tight fit when you replace the battery, you'll need to remove the 13mm bolt and clamp before installing the new battery. There's plenty of room now since the battery is gone.
12. Clean the battery terminals if needed and re-install new battery.
13. (This is tricky) Replace the battery hold-down clamp. Once it is oriented correctly over the battery and bolt hole, it will stay in place with having to hold it.
14. Replace the 13mm bolt.
15. Replace the rest of the parts in the reverse order they were removed.