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Buick LaCrosse 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12V car battery in the engine bay of a 2nd generation 2010 to 2016 Buick LaCrosse sedan.

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2016 LaCrosse 12V Battery
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Retaining Clip - Right Rear
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Retaining Clip - Left Rear
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GM Buick LaCrosse sedan in changing a dead 12V automotive battery in the engine bay.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Malibu, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Volt, SS, Camaro, Caprice, Corvette, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Buick Verano, Regal, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, Cadillac CT6, ATS-V, ATS, ELR, CTS, XTS, XT5, SRX, Escalade and Holden Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible "Group Size" H6, L3 or 48 replacement 12 volt batteries with their part numbers include the following: Bosch S6585B and the EverStart MAXX-H6 (Walmart).

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench, a 13mm socket, an extension bar, a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench and a flathead screwdriver.



 
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Press In Tab To Release
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Press In Other Tab
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Swing Open Plastic Cover
The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right side of the engine bay.

The black plastic 12V battery box is located behind the driver side headlight and next to the fuse box.

Press in the two release tabs on the back side of the battery box before swinging it open.

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Remove Plastic Cover
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12V Battery Exposed
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Loosen Counterclockwise
Set the battery cover aside in a safe place.

Loosen the nut on the "-" negative terminal by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

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Pull Off Negative Terminal
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Cover & Tuck Away
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Flip Open Plastic Cover
Pull the negative terminal off the battery post.

Cover the terminal with a small towel and tuck it away to help prevent accidental electrical contact.

Flip open the plastic cover on the positive terminal.

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Loosen "+" Terminal
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Power Distribution Cover
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Positive Terminal Strap
Loosen the positive terminal nut by turning it counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and the 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Lift open the plastic cover on the power distribution board.

There is a nylon strap with a metal loop at the end attached to the positive battery post to help secure the battery in place.

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Lift Off Metal Plate
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Pry Out Plastic Clip
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Pry Out Left Side Clip
Lift the metal piece off the positive terminal.

Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the plastic retaining clips on the left and right side of the battery that secure the power distribution plate in place.

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Lift Off Plastic Bracket
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Right Side Clip Released
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Left Side Clip Released
Lift the power distribution board off the old battery.
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Hold Down Clamp - Front
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13mm Socket & Extension
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Loosen Counterclockwise
The front edge of the battery is held in place by a grey plastic hold down clamp secured with a single bolt.

Attach the 13mm socket to the 6" extension bar and loosen the battery hold down clamp bolt by turning it counterclockwise.

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Lift Out Battery Clamp
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Loosen 13mm Nut
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Second 13mm Nut
Remove the battery clamp and set it aside in a safe place.

I later realized that to remove the old 12V battery, I had to remove two 13mm nuts on the power distribution board.

Remove the 13mm nut that secures the black cable on the right by turning it counterclockwise.

Then remove the 13mm nut on the 250A (250 amp) relay on the rear edge of the board.

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2nd Nut Removed
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Two 13mm Nuts
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Lift Off Distribution Board
Set the two 13mm nuts aside in a safe place.

Now you can lift the positive terminal and electrical distribution panel away from the old battery.



 

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Access Old Battery
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Remove Old 12V Battery
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Clean Off Battery Tray
Carefully lift the old out of the engine bay and gently rest it on the ground.

Try to avoid dropping or tipping over the old battery to prevent from having acid leak out.

Be sure to bring the old battery with you to Walmart or the auto parts store to avoid having to pay a "core" or "recycling" charge. The retailer will make sure that the old battery is properly recycled.

Clean off any debris from the plastic tray so that the new battery will rest evenly on it.

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ACDelco Model # 48PS
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Lower In New 12V Battery
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Replace Distribution Board
The OEM 12 volt battery in this 2016 LaCrosse was an ACDelco catalog number 0819 and model number 48PS.

Gently lower the new battery in to the engine bay with the positive battery post closer to the windshield and the negative post situated closer to the headlight.

Lower the positive terminal and power distribution panel over the rear of the battery.

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Push Terminal In Place
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Replace Metal Loop & Strap
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Replace Black Cable
Firmly push down on the bracket to secure the two plastic retaining clips.

Lower the metal plate with the hole in the middle over the positive battery post.

Replace the black cable on to the front left corner of the power distribution panel.

Replace the cable on to the 250A relay at the right rear corner of the power distribution panel.

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Spin On 13mm Nut
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Replace 2nd 13mm Nut
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Push On Positive Terminal
Spin on the two 13mm nuts in the clockwise direction.

Tighten them with the 13mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench in the clockwise direction until they are snug.

If you often see corrosion build up on your battery posts, consider installing some anti-corrosion felt washers.

Push the positive terminal over the positive battery post.

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Tighten 13mm Clockwise
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Tighten 2nd 13mm Nut
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Tighten 10mm Terminal
Tighten the 10mm positive terminal nut by turning it clockwise until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from damaging the battery post.

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Close Plastic Cover
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Push On Negative Terminal
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Tighten 10mm Clockwise
Flip the plastic cover closed over the power distribution panel.

Push the negative terminal back in to place over the "-" battery post.

Tighten the 10mm negative terminal in the clockwise direction.

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Lower In Hold Down Clamp
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Tighten 13mm Clockwise
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New Battery Installed
Lower the grey plastic hold down bar in front of the new battery and spin in the bolt a few turns by hand.

Tighten the 13mm bolt in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Double check that the new battery is securely in place. If the battery can be moved, rocked or slid around, tighten the hold down clamp an extra turn or two.

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Lower Battery Box
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Push Down To Secure Clips
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12V Battery Replaced
Lower the plastic cover over the new battery and push on it to secure the retaining clips.

Test the new battery by starting the engine and flashing the high beam headlights.

Please be sure to adjust the time on the clock and program your favorite radio station presets before driving.

For more, check out my other 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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