Changing the battery in a Saturn Sky - Pontiac Solstice

[@johnmarsh8421]

Great video. I used all 1/4 inch drive and an air ratchet. After removing the fender I lifted the positive end of the battery until it rested on the flange on the battery tray. I then tilted the battery forward by lifting the negative end until the positive terminal was low enough to slide through the opening in the fender brace. Once clear of the brace slide the battery out until you need to reverse the tilt to clear the negative terminal. Reverse the process to install the new battery. Yea this is personal experience. This was the original OEM battery on my 09 Redline which I bought new. Total time was about 20 minutes.

[@scottmayer5641]

So you didn’t need to remove the fender brace at all huh? I think I am going to try this 1st Thanks man

[@jameshicks914]

I have been dreading the time when I have to replace the battery in my 2008 SKY. Thank you for the well done vid. I am confident I can do it myself after seeing your demo. THANK YOU MIKE !!!!

[@donnahively450]

Thanks! Our 2007 has been sitting in the garage for almost a year! Needs a battery. This gave us confidence we can do it ourselves! Thanks for sharing and saving up money for a shop visit.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

Did not expect that music when you started undoing bolts, not saying I don't like it but was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the video gonna have to do my battery this week so hopefully it goes well and I didn't kill my alternator driving on a bad cell.

[@geneklosinski348]

When that music blared out, my wife screamed at me, TURN THAT DOWN!!

[@ClareBearForever]

OMG! I'm completely dreading the day my battery dies. I'll definitely be able to replace it on my own & save some money thanks to your video👍

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

Once you know how to do it, it's not that bad. There is another way as well. You can take the passenger wheel off, remove the wheel well, then slide the battery out that way. I've never done it that way, but that's what I've heard.

[@ClareBearForever]

U know I was gonna ask that

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

LOL. I'm psychic.

[@jimblackburn6661]

Holy Crap! My original equipment battery lasted 11 years and 74,000 miles. Without this video I would not have had a clue.

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

Glad I could help :)

[@nojalexander864]

I got 13 years 24K miles. Think it was my dashcam that killed it by leaving on a few times.

[@michaelgeorge5745]

Gonna be replacing my O.E. battery it's 12 yrs old just started giving me trouble this video helps

[@TheSweetLifewX]

Thank you for the video. We followed your instructions step by step and were able to do this.

[@larrystrawn9534]

Mike, I have been a fan of the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice since they came out. Last month I purchased my first Sky, a 08 Base Auto but with everything I wanted on it, British racing green. the only color I wanted. I know I'm only 1 month in but I love driving this car. I don't need 260 hp to have fun. I live near the NC mountains and will enjoy driving this beautiful car around the hairpin turns. I know, I really would rather have a stick but at my age and with two knee replacements I chose the auto. Thanks for all the videos, I have watched several and will continue to be a subscriber and a fan. Come to NC and we'll go racing up Grandfather mountain. Thanks again!!

[@jr42a1]

Whats a knee replacement ? 😂😂😂

[@Masterchief68]

Fun aren’t they! Like driving a go kart !

[@cliffco823]

Thanks Mike. Needed to do this on my 2007. Got it done with minimal headaches.

[@kenp8991]

Great video. Nice tip about adding the sharpie marks on the bolts to get the alignment right. I just bought a salvaged 2007 redline from CoPart and was delivered a couple of days ago. Ran when it came off the car carrier and drove nice down the street to the garage. Went to turn it on yesterday and was dead. Figured it was the battery and now know have a better idea to get it changed up. My question though is would it be possible to move the fuse box to get the battery out?

[@hochgonzalo8923]

Sweet God. We should all find the designer and make him change our batteries. That'll show him. You know, with such a long wide front end why couldn't they make this an easier process.

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

Oh I know. My brother in law who used to be a mechanic said that they designs cars for assembly....not repair. I certainly believe him.

[@scottmayer5641]

Need to talk to Bob Lutz on this one 😂

[@mr.bundagesr.599]

Thanks Mike your upload saved me some 💰. Plus DIY gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Now it's time to 🔥 burn up some roads

[@ronaldmouton7801]

Thanks Mike for All that you do 👍

[@RLopez-qr9td]

Thanks for your helpful video. Although the vehicle doesn't belong to me, it sat in my driveway for a period of timee and needed a battery replacement. Your video clearly explained how to treat a dinosaur Pontiac.

[@neildalby3301]

Note, you don’t have to remove the framing elements. Once the panel is off you are good to go. Just rotate the battery clockwise and tip the negative terminal through first.

[@macsloan58]

LEASE READ THIS BEFORE DOING THIS PROJECT......This is an excellent video. However, after reading several forums regarding Solstice battery replacement, I came to find that it isn’t necessary at all to remove any body panels to replace the battery. I just replaced mine this morning. It took me far longer to run to the battery warehouse for a new battery than it did to replace the battery itself. REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. REMOVE THE PUSH CLIPS THAT HOLD THE PLASTIC FENDER LINER IN PLACE. REMOVE THE BRACKET IN FRONT OF THE BATTERY. UNHOOK THE BATTERY AND SLIDE IT OUT. TOTAL TIME FOR THIS PROJECT WAS 20 MINUTES

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

I've heard of people doing it this way as well. However, you didn't mention the time it takes to loosen the lug nuts, jack up the car, slide in a jack stand, finish taking off the lug nuts, then removing the wheel. And my fender liner is held in place with 10mm screws....not push pins. But once you do get all that done, then you'll have to put the wheel back on again. So I would say at a minimum, it's a wash as far as the time it takes.

[@macsloan58]

@@MikesHouseOfMods 20 minutes - start to finish. That included the wheel removal and replacement. It doesn’t take long to loosen 4 bolts once the wheel is off. This is not an exaggeration. I am a 63 year old guy and my wife was amazed when I walked into the kitchen and announced “Done.” Apologies if you don’t believe this. But, I do know how to tell time. That is one skill that has not diminished with age. 😏

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

@@macsloan58 I'm not doubting you that you did it in 20 minutes. I'm just trying to figure out how. What 4 bolts did you loosen once the wheel is off? Do you mean the screws holding on the wheel liner? Also do you have the original GM wheel liner? I would be afraid to crack it if I didn't remove the whole thing. I have an aftermarket one so it bends and flexes pretty easily, but the OEM one I have on the other side is pretty stiff.

[@macsloan58]

@@MikesHouseOfMods everything is original. It’s a 2006 Solstice with 35,000 miles. There is a very lightweight bracket in front of the battery. It is actually held on by just 3 bolts and one small screw at the bottom. It takes just a couple minutes to remove that bracket. Remove the battery cables and the clamp that holds the battery to the pan and slide the battery out. It’s amazing how easy the process is. I have read in some online forums about people doing it the same way so this isn’t something that I discovered. It doesn’t seem logical that Pontiac meant for that side body panel to come off in order to change the battery although some might like to say it was intentional. And poor engineering to go along with that. That seems even more likely given that it can be very difficult to put that side panel beck on and get it to line up correctly. I guess that’s all that I have....

[@blainebarker]

When I first got mine I installed a tender. Because of this, I am still using my original battery on my 2006.

[@joesalzburg6920]

Yes, my 2007 Sky Redline is STILL using it's original battery as well. I too, use a Battery tender... Well worth the small investment of about $25 years ago.

[@leeswanson9732]

Thanks for the info. Ask if you're videos have been very helpful. Mine will probably need to be changed at some point soon.

[@jasoncampbell7765]

My gosh. Great video but please please adjust music volume in editing.

[@lisarandolph380]

Hi Mike i have a problem with my weatherstripping on driver door corner by front window knob on weatherstrip not holding it in place when window goes up or down any suggestions on how to repair?

[@VistaAiken]

Thanks for that video. I've got to do the same thing to my '09 Sky this weekend. It's an ACDelco battery so I suspect it might be the factory battery.

[@Chrysbleu]

Explains why it cost so much to replace my battery.

[@prestonkeeling7229]

Thank you Soo incredible much Buddy I'm good with vehicles but this one is different for me because this is my car of my own and it truly helped me 👼🙏😇 thank you very much and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

[@TheVenji333]

Thanks for uploading I would have probably spent an hour or two trying to figure this out without the video LOL thanks man

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

You're welcome. It's not convenient but it's also not too bad either.

[@privacyhandle]

Are you using a battery tender with SAE quick connector?

[@pm6613]

I did this today EXCEPT I did not have to fully remove the fender. Leave the aft part of the fender intact at the door. Loosen the forward part of the brace behind it and have a friend gently pull it away enough to slide the battery out horizontally.

[@mickmarcoux8403]

merci beaucoup tres bon video comme tout les autres sa m,aide beaucoup

[@TheVenji333]

Have you experienced any engine issues with your Sky? Also if you change your own oil can you please do a video on how to change the oil filter?

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

No engine issues at all with 85,000 miles (fingers crossed). Don't jinx me. I just recently changed the oil but didn't do a video. It was the first oil change I did and wanted to make sure I didn't run into any problems first. I'll video the next one when it's due....so please subscribe.

[@djwak59]

I've got an 07 Redline edition and changed oil at least twice, we don't drive it much. First off, buy Rhino ramps cus ya can't jack it up, at least i don't. Draining the oil is no big deal. Changing filter helps if you've got small hands, it's in a pretty crowded spot in front of the firewall. I can't remember the exact size socket, but I had to go out and buy one, it's rather large . The filter sits in a "cup" like housing. You'll NEED a swivel adapter and an extension for socket wrench, you can't get to it from straight on. Get ready with a rag cus you're gonna spill some taking the filter out of the housing. That's it, repeat steps to put it back. It's a TIGHT fit. Hope this points you in the right direction.

[@steverichdrummr]

The battery you pulled was not the original. the original was a maintanance free without fill caps, like the one you put in. Also, the negative plastic sap was possibly not put on correctly from the last install. Also, I would simply pull the negative cable first, and then put a cap over the - post to take off the + cable. Then cap that also, much safer to pull the battery in /out with both post protected from shorting against anything.

[@BigislandEJ]

God bless you and your videos, thanks man!

[@chessie8675]

Mike , do you have time this week to do a quick video on how to jump the battery?

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

I wish I could, but I'm still working on my turbo build and can't even start it up yet. However, it's pretty easy. There's a post on the side of the fuse box with a red cover on it. That's the positive side of the battery. You can attach the positive jumper cable on that. Then find a metal part somewhere near the engine for the ground jumper cable. There should be instructions in your Sky or Solstice user manual.

[@chessie8675]

Mike's House Of Mods thank you! That should point me in the right direction.

[@SofaKingTouge]

Also the cigarette lighter is always live. I have a battery tender and I just run it thru the window of the solstice into the cigarette lighter.

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

OutlawUniverse Good idea.

[@privacyhandle]

Video on this method would be awesome 😊

[@oreodog]

Didn’t have to take extra frame piece off, maybe depends on the size of your battery.

[@johnwilliams-nz3um]

I hear that the SKY was designed in Germany and developed by Lotus. That may be the reason for the battery placement. btw, what's that opel knob next to the ignition switch?

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

From what I've heard, the Sky and Solstice is on the Kappa platform which includes the Opel, if that means anything. I really don't know the history of the Sky or Solstice to speak intelligently about them. As for the knob next to the ignition switch, that's one of those magnet things to hold my cell phone. I have a USB cable under the dash that comes up and I connect it to the phone for Android Auto on the head unit.

[@mos6507]

Designed by Franz von Holzhausen of Tesla fame.

[@LiqdPT]

You're thinking of the Opel Speedster, the predecessor to the Opel GT (which is the Saturn Sky Redline). These cars were designed and built in the US. No German or Lotus involvement. The reason for the battery placement is that there's really no place else to put it that's low down, protected from impact, and won't take up valuable cargo space.

[@jandrews172]

@@LiqdPT You said "cargo space" and used it in a sentence about Saturn Skys........LOL

[@LiqdPT]

@@jandrews172 well sure, but would you like LESS?

[@rudolph22navy2013]

What size are the cover snaps on the 2007 Sky?

[@chriscat85]

Take the wheel off. Unbolt the plastic inner wheel well liner. Unbolt front fender bracket. Slide battery out front. Much faster and you don’t have to take fender off

[@michaelgeorge5745]

I noticed he didn't need to take wheel off Cool!

[@SofaKingTouge]

Want to make your life easier? Switch to a smaller oddessey or Braille battery. You have to drill in a mount on the battery tray but after that you can change the battery very easy. Just enough room to slide it out thru the top.

[@chrisalexmaragakis2129]

Question (My Sky is currently dead in my garage lol) I hardly drive my Sky, it's got a new battery in it. Left it for 2 months without starting it, and it's dead, brand new battery driven twice. How long do you go between driving your Sky, any battery issues leaving yours for a long period of time??

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

Well that sucks that your Sky is currently dead. I usually try to drive mine at least once every 2 weeks (weather permitting). I live in Tennessee so we don't have long winters here. However, if I did live somewhere that made me store my car for 2 or more months, I would definitely put it on a battery tender. This will keep your battery in good shape while your car is sitting for a long time. Here's an article about them. www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a22871/how-to-keep-your-car-battery-alive-through-a-long-cold-winter/ If you don't want to go that route, start your car at least once per week and let it run until it warms up and then a little past that. This should get the alternator to charge the battery back to full power. Hope that helps.

[@chrisalexmaragakis2129]

Mike Martin cool, I live in LA, weather is always great. I'll look into the battery tender

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

Whatever you do, do not touch this mans red stapler.

[@deanobryan1692]

Hey everyone, this is just a shot in the dark to see if anyone has any advice for me. I love @mikeshouseofmods channel and I own a 2007 Saturn Sky myself and have benefitted from many of Mike's DIY videos. I'm having a little problem with my battery loosing power. I replaced the battery (O'Reilly's) and it still will not hold for more than a day or two. This is very frustrating and I would welcome any help or direction. Thank you!

[@JCMayPE]

Fix that inner bracket with a hacksaw?

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I wouldn't do that, that bracket is probably structural and the reason they didn't make a cutout for the battery is they couldn't do so without weakening the bracket there. Seeing as how the the fender is using that bracket to attach and the fender plays an important role in crumple protection, I wouldn't mess with it. I honestly think he could have gotten the battery out without unbolting that piece if he had just jostled the battery a bit more. Not sure though.

[@tman9808]

My battery died in my 2008 Saturn Sky and my key was locked in the ignition. How do I remove the key?

[@MikesHouseOfMods]

First and easiest thing to try is to make sure the steering wheel isn't in it's locked position. If that doesn't work, can you turn the key at all like you're gonna start the car? And have you changed the battery yet?

[@tman9808]

@@MikesHouseOfMods I'm changing the battery this weekend, when I have time. Hopefully that will take care of it. Thanks!

[@sreed16]

That is absurd.. take the tire off then the wheel well, then reach back to get the battery.. unhook it and pull it right out. The hardest part is the tire..

[@robertseader8368]

I agree- absurd. Before I do it, how did your method work out?

[@macsloan58]

YES, YES, YES!!! I changed mine this morning. There is a bracket in front of the battery that needs to come out, but it was EASY, EASY, EASY!!! It’s absurd to remove that body panel. That isn’t what GM intended as the way to get to the battery. My complete project was about 20 minutes and that included removal and reinstallation of the wheel/tire.

[@Masterchief68]

You know if the engineers who built the solstice and sky would have put that fender on with a piano hinge we wouldn’t have these problems!!!!

[@nojalexander864]

Great video, but blaring filler music sucks. Want to hear what you say but not deafening music I have to run to mute.

[@jr42a1]

So Sam's club told you no dice too !!! Its not really that bad of a job but yeah, THEY sure as hell won't touch it !! they're all too busy playin on their cell phones in the tire and auto shop and telling everyone they are booked 3 weeks out when there are no cars whatsoever sitting in their service bays !

[@Not2480]

Your moving to fast...for the camera

[@germancrespo2724]

It sucks....why so much trouble...it should be easy .. not hard...

[@TheRideShareNetwork]

this take too many long,

[@sreed16]

That is absurd.. take the tire off then the wheel well, then reach back to get the battery.. unhook it and pull it right out. The hardest part is the tire..

[@2wrdr]

Does that actually work? Is that from first hand experience?

[@sreed16]

@@2wrdr Yes.. My battery was drained out but I was able to drive it a mile up the road to get a new battery. I read some information on it, and going through the tire was imho the easiest way. Loosen all the lug nuts, put it on the jack stand, take off the tire, unscrew / unbolt the wheel well liner and pop it out. Take off a V shaped bracket. Reach in and loosen the battery holder, take out the battery, then take off the cables from the posts. I should make a video of it when it's not below freezing. This, except its easier to take off the tire itself. (And a few things are different) www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2007_Pontiac_Solstice_2.4L_4_Cyl./battery/replace_battery

[@2wrdr]

@@sreed16 Thanks for the info. :)