Waking up to a flat battery in your 2005 Chevy Equinox isn’t out of the ordinary. It’s an experience that most drivers face regularly based on the fact that batteries are prone to dying and breaking. Unfortunately, the Chevy Equinox models are notorious for hiding their batteries to the point that some new drivers have confessed to not finding the battery.
Where is the battery located in a 2005 Chevy Equinox? You can find the battery beneath a plastic cover immediately behind the headlamp assembly on the driver’s side.
How Can You Access the Battery on a 05 Chevy Equinox?
The plastic cover makes it hard to find the battery in the very first place. If you are driving the 2005 Chevy for the first time, you may have to refer to your user manual, usually found the glove compartment. You have to bypass the screws holding the plastic cover.
Once the screws are out of your way, you should continue and push the four tabs with the cords running from it. Then, remove the big cover and by now you should see the battery beneath, held in a tight place.
How Can You Install a New Battery in Your 2005 Chevy Equinox?
On one occasion or another, you will be required to replace that old battery in your 2005 Chevy Equinox. Batteries are designed to serve you for a specific timeframe. Therefore, once the time is up, calling in for a new replacement is your only remaining option.
The good thing is that you are now aware of the battery’s location. Thus, you won’t spend much time trying to start on the replacement. Once you have removed the big plastic cover hiding the battery, you should proceed with the following steps.
1. Disconnect the Terminal Cables
First, you will be needed to remove the terminal cables out of the picture. With the big plastic cover out of your way, unscrewing the cables shouldn’t be difficult. When it comes to the terminal cables, you are supposed to start by disconnecting the negative cable first then followed by the one. By following the guide, you help prevent any short-circuiting that may arise.
2. Remove the Battery From the Tray
With the cable terminals loosened, your battery should be free to be removed. However, you should remember to first loosen the battery hold-down bolt. When the bolt is removed, it should be easy to lift the battery out of the tray.
When removing the battery from the tray, avoid tipping it over the 45-degree angle. By tipping the cell, you risk spilling the electrolyte. As you know, the electrolyte contains acidic content, which if not careful can cause damages to your body.
3. Place the New Battery in the Holder
Now that the old battery is safely removed and placed in a safe location, it’s time to introduce the new one. I assume that you already have the battery you wish to install with you. (if not, then visit this page to find the best battery for your 05 Chevy Equinox).
Go ahead and place the new battery on the battery box. Also, when adding the new battery, you should ensure that you don’t tip it over a 45-degree angle. The tipping can cause acid spilling which isn’t safe for your skin. With the battery intact, tighten the battery hold down bolt to ensure that the battery is tightly held before proceeding to the next step.
4. Connect the Terminal Cables
Now that the battery is held in position, your next procedure should be to tighten the terminal cables. Using your wrench, start by tightening the screw on your positive cable followed by the one on the negative cable.
5. Cover the Battery Area
Once you are sure that the terminal cables are tightly held in position, your next step should be to cover the battery area as you had found it before. Therefore, continue to return the big plastic cover and tighten the screws that hold it in position.
With the cover in place, your car should be more than ready to go. Therefore, lock the hood and head inside to start the engine.
Here is the great YouTube video I found for you below:
How Can You Jumpstart Your 2005 Chevy Equinox?
As said earlier, Chevy 2005 Equinox is one of the few vehicle models known for hiding their batteries. Therefore, when it comes to jumpstarting the batteries, for instance, many drivers are not sure about where to begin. They are worried that they have to deal with all the battery covers and stuff to access the terminals.
The amazing thing is that you don’t have to deal with all the screws and nuts for the Chevy to be jumped. Once you open the hood, you will see a positive sign, somewhere in the middle of the engine area. The positive sign is an indication that that’s the positive end, which you are to use when jumpstarting your Chevy.
Pull the plastic cover with the positive sign on it and withdraw it from your way. Below the cover, you should see a positive terminal. The negative terminal for this car usually goes to the ground on the engine. You should find it somewhere within the engine area. Either way, you can still use any unpainted sturdy metal within the engine area, as your negative terminal.
After you decide on the terminals to use, you should proceed and connect the positive cable from your donor to the positive terminal beneath the plastic cover. Go ahead and attach the negative cable as well. With the cable tightly held, your car should be in a position to start. Therefore, head inside and turn the ignition on.
Once the car has started, disconnect the jumper cables. Allow the car to run for at least 20-30 minutes. The period allows enough time to top up the battery and hence you won’t have trouble starting the car, come the next time.
Here is the great YouTube video I found for you below:
