How to remove battery in Z4 M for winter storage

z4mcanada · 12-05-2011, 10:27 AM

Hi Everyone,

I would like to remove battery from my M roadster for winter storage. I was able to remove trunk carpeted battery cover that conceals the battery by undoing 3 clips on the side and 3 screws on the top. Once the battery was exposed, I was able to remove front post holding the battery and disconnect negative terminal and vent tube.

Now the issue is with positive terminal which consists of a large red cable with red and black plastic connectors attached to the battery. I found 1 red cover that I was able to open to find a screw holding the clamp for the positive terminal. I removed the screw and disconnect the positive cable, however the thick red cable is still somehow attached to the battery preventing the battery from sliding forward.

Can someone help explaining how exactly that red thick cable can be disconnected from the battery and hopefully attach some pictures for the entire battery removal procedure for M roadsters and coupes

.

Best Regards.

Neegra · 12-05-2011, 11:18 AM

IIRC, when I removed mine the positive terminal connection felt pretty tight on the post even though I had loosened the fastener on the clamp. Make sure you loosened the fastener that closes the clamp on the battery post. I think there were two fasteners on mine, one that attached the wire to the clamp, and one that attached the clamp to the post. You can also rotate it (wiggle it back and forth) to make sure it is loose on the post. Then you might need to wiggle it back and forth while pulling up to get it to slide off the post. Hope this kinda helps. Good luck!

z4mcanada · 12-05-2011, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the reply. Would you be able to provde pictures to show where the second fastener is (the one that attaches the clamp together with a thick red wire to the post)? I have already figured out how to remove the first fastener that attaches the wire to the clamp.

Pheonix · 12-05-2011, 11:55 AM

I took an easy way out and installed a quick disconnect cable directly to the battery. That way I could just connect it to the Battery Tender whenever the car sits for more than a week.

psygnosis · 12-05-2011, 01:06 PM

I'm just curious, why remove the battery from the car? Why not just disconnect it, or plug in a tender?

z4mcanada · 12-05-2011, 02:22 PM

no electrical plug available nearby. Need to take the battery out to charge periodically during winter. Would appreciate if someone could provide pictures and step by step solution on how to remove that battery

wdupdog · 12-05-2011, 05:44 PM

FWIW...Last winter, I stored my Z with a battery tender on it. After four months, all worked great. The two cars on either side, an 02 Boxter and a 5 series just unhooked negative cable. After five n a half months I watched while they both fired up just as strong as mine. I was told the cold even retards the discharge rate on a battery. This year I just unhooked the negative cable. Should wake up just fine next spring. We'll see.

12-05-2011, 10:27 AM	#1
z4mcanada New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	How to remove battery in Z4 M for winter storage Hi Everyone, I would like to remove battery from my M roadster for winter storage. I was able to remove trunk carpeted battery cover that conceals the battery by undoing 3 clips on the side and 3 screws on the top. Once the battery was exposed, I was able to remove front post holding the battery and disconnect negative terminal and vent tube. Now the issue is with positive terminal which consists of a large red cable with red and black plastic connectors attached to the battery. I found 1 red cover that I was able to open to find a screw holding the clamp for the positive terminal. I removed the screw and disconnect the positive cable, however the thick red cable is still somehow attached to the battery preventing the battery from sliding forward. Can someone help explaining how exactly that red thick cable can be disconnected from the battery and hopefully attach some pictures for the entire battery removal procedure for M roadsters and coupes. Best Regards.
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12-05-2011, 11:18 AM	#2
Neegra Private 3 Rep 51 Posts Drives: TiAg/Imola MC Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	IIRC, when I removed mine the positive terminal connection felt pretty tight on the post even though I had loosened the fastener on the clamp. Make sure you loosened the fastener that closes the clamp on the battery post. I think there were two fasteners on mine, one that attached the wire to the clamp, and one that attached the clamp to the post. You can also rotate it (wiggle it back and forth) to make sure it is loose on the post. Then you might need to wiggle it back and forth while pulling up to get it to slide off the post. Hope this kinda helps. Good luck!
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12-05-2011, 11:29 AM	#3
z4mcanada New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the reply. Would you be able to provde pictures to show where the second fastener is (the one that attaches the clamp together with a thick red wire to the post)? I have already figured out how to remove the first fastener that attaches the wire to the clamp.
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12-05-2011, 11:55 AM	#4
Pheonix Major 376 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe 2012 e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW/Z4MC [0.00]	I took an easy way out and installed a quick disconnect cable directly to the battery. That way I could just connect it to the Battery Tender whenever the car sits for more than a week.
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12-05-2011, 01:06 PM	#5
psygnosis Major 23 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I'm just curious, why remove the battery from the car? Why not just disconnect it, or plug in a tender? __________________ Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.
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12-05-2011, 02:22 PM	#6
z4mcanada New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	no electrical plug available nearby. Need to take the battery out to charge periodically during winter. Would appreciate if someone could provide pictures and step by step solution on how to remove that battery
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-05-2011, 05:44 PM	#7
wdupdog Private 0 Rep 86 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ND iTrader: (0)	FWIW...Last winter, I stored my Z with a battery tender on it. After four months, all worked great. The two cars on either side, an 02 Boxter and a 5 series just unhooked negative cable. After five n a half months I watched while they both fired up just as strong as mine. I was told the cold even retards the discharge rate on a battery. This year I just unhooked the negative cable. Should wake up just fine next spring. We'll see.
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