Paul's Travel Pictures

Chevrolet Colorado 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a weak or dead 12 volt car battery in a 2015 to 2022 GM Chevy Colorado with the 3.6L V6 engine.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-001
2019 Colorado 3.6L V6
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-002
12V Car Battery Location
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-003
Loosen Counterclockwise
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) GM Chevrolet Colorado truck in changing a weak or dead 12 volt car battery for the LFX or LGZ 3.6L V6 engine. The procedure should the be the same or very similar for models with the Ecotec 2.5L I4 engine or the Duramax turbodiesel 2.8L I4 engine.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick and Holden such as the Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Sonic, Cruze, Trailblazer, Spark, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Bolt, Corvette, Camaro, Silverado, Express, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT5, CTS, XTS, CT6, ATS, Astra and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The most common symptoms of a weak or failing 12V battery include slow cranking, sluggish starting and possibly also a warning light on the gauge cluster.

The OEM 12 volt battery's "Group Size" is 48 (also known as "H6") and the part number ACDelco 48PS.

A few compatible replacement batteries with their part numbers include the following: DieHard 50748, Delphi BU9048 and Exide Battery L348X.

An upgrade to the OEM battery is the ACDelco 48AGM (absorbed glass mat = maintenance-free, spill proof, leak proof and longer service life).

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet and a 13mm wrench or an adjustable crescent wrench.

The first two steps are to open the hood and move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

The 12 volt car battery is situated to the right of the electrical fuse box and in front of the brake fluid reservoir by the windshield.

Loosen the nut on the "-" negative terminal by turning it a few turns in the counterclockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.



 

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-004
Pull Off Negative Terminal
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-005
Loosen Positive Terminal
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-006
Open Plastic Cover
Pull the negative terminal off the "-" battery post.

Wrap the terminal in a small towel and tuck it away on the left side of the battery to help prevent accidental electrical contact.

Open the black plastic cover over the positive terminal.

Then loosen the "+" positive terminal by turning the nut in the counterclockwise direction a few turns with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-007
Pry Off Retaining Clip
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-008
Pry Off Right Side Clip
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-009
Black Cable - Right Side
Gently pry out the black plastic retaining clips on the left and right side of the power distribution board to release them.

Open the black plastic cover on the right side of the power distribution board.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-011
Attach Socket To Ratchet
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-010
Loosen Counterclockwise
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-012
Spin Off Nut
Loosen the nut on the black cable attached to the power distribution board by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

Set the nut aside in safe place such as on top of the black plastic cowl below the windshield.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-013
Pull Off Black Cable
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-014
Power Distribution Board
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-015
Loosen Counterclockwise
Pull the ring terminal at the end of the black cable off the power distribution board.

Carefully pull the power distribution board off the top of the old battery and the "+" positive post.

To remove the battery hold down bar, first remove the black metal nut at the top of the silver bar on the left side of the hold down bar.

Loosen the nut by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-016
Spin Off Black Nut
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-017
Set Aside Nut
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-018
Raise Left Side of Bar
Set the black nut aside in a safe place.

Raise the left side of the hold down clamp off the threaded end on the top of the silver bar.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-019
Battery Hold Down Clamp
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-020
Rotate Counterclockwise
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-021
Spin Out Silver Bar
Continue raising the left side of the black metal bar until the hook on the right side can be removed from the body panel on the far right side of the engine bay.

Set the hold down clamp bar aside in a safe place.

Loosen the round silver metal bar on the left side of the old battery by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a 13mm wrench.

Spin out the silver metal bar.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-022
Silver Bar Removed
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-023
Hold Down Plastic Block
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-024
Slide Battery Forward
Set the silver bar aside in a safe place.

Reach down to the left side of the battery tray and pull off the black plastic hold down block.

Set the plastic hold down block aside in a safe place.

The OEM battery is still held in place to the tray by five plastic hooks.

There are four hooks on the right (driver) side of the battery tray and one on the rear edge (closest to the windshield).

To release the old battery from the hooks, slide the battery forward and then to the left (towards the passenger side).

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-025
Slide Battery To Left
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-026
Plastic Brackets - On Right
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-027
Plastic Battery Tray
Carefully lift the old battery out of the off the tray and out of the engine bay.

Gently set the old battery 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 the auto parts store or Walmart to prevent from having to pay a "core", recycling disposal or "environmental" fee.

If you can wait a few days for delivery, I recommend buying the upgraded version of the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) ACDelco 48PS which is the ACDelco 48AGM absorbed glass mat 12V battery.

There are many advantages to AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries including a longer service life of up to twice as long, being spill-proof and leak proof, faster charging due to lower resistance, resistance to vibration, being maintenance free, the ability to be deep cycled, having a lower weight and offering higher performance in cold weather.



 

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-028
View of 5 Plastic "Hooks"
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-029
Remove Old OEM Battery
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-030
ACDelco 0819  (48PS)
Clean off any debris from the black plastic tray in the engine bay so that the new battery will rest evenly on it.
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-031
Lower In New Battery
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-032
Slide To Right - Hooks
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-033
Plastic Hold Down Block
Carefully lower the new battery into the engine bay with the "+" positive post situated closer to the front of the truck and the "-" negative post closer to the rear of the engine bay by the firewall and windshield.

Slide the new battery towards the right and the rear of the engine bay to secure the bottom plastic lip to the hooks on the tray.

Lower the black plastic hold down block on to the left side of the battery tray.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-034
Lower Down On Left Side
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-035
Spin In Silver Bar
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-036
Tighten Bar Clockwise
Spin in the silver bar into the hold down block to secure it to the battery tray.

Tighten the bar by rotating the fixed nut in the center in the clockwise direction with a 13mm wrench until it is snug.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-037
Lower "+" Board
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-038
Replace Black Cable
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-039
Tighten Nut Clockwise
Carefully lower the power distribution board over the front of the battery and the "+" positive terminal (located closer to the front of the truck).

Replace the ring terminal at the end of the black cable over its post on the power distribution board.

Replace the silver metal nut over the cable and tighten it in the clockwise direction with a 13mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

If you've had a problem with corrosion (blue or white powder) building up on the terminals, I highly recommend installing some felt anti-corrosion washers over the battery posts.

They are cheap insurance against having to replace your terminals or battery cables due to damage from corrosion.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-040
Replace Positive Terminal
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-041
Close Plastic Cover
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-042
Re-Insert Right Side Clamp
Push the positive terminal (red cable) over the "+" battery post.

Tighten the 10mm nut on the positive terminal in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Line up the black metal hold down bar over the new battery.

Re-insert the curved (hook) end on the right into the opening in the side panel of the engine bay.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-043
Lower Hold Down Bar
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-044
Spin On Black Nut
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-045
Positive Terminal Secured
Lower the hold down bar over the top of the new battery and pass the threaded silver metal bar through the opening in the left side.

Spin the black nut a few turns in the clockwise direction on the top of the silver bar to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the nut with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-046 Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-047 Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-048
Push On Negative Terminal
Close the plastic cover over the power distribution board and the positive terminal.

Push the negative terminal on to the "-" battery post.

Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-049
Tighten "-" Terminal Nut
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-050
12V Battery Replaced
Chevrolet-Colorado-12V-Automotive-Battery-Replacement-Guide-051
Start Engine - Test Battery
Tighten the nut on the negative terminal in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from cracking the battery post which could lead to an acid leak.

To test the new 12V battery, start the engine and flash the high beam headlights.

To make sure the alternator is working properly, test the voltage while the engine is running with a digital multimeter. The alternator should be charging the battery at over 13 volts to as high as just over 14 volts.

If you often leave your truck unused for two weeks or longer, I highly recommend using a 12V battery trickle charger to keep it fully charged such as the Battery Tender Junior.

Lead acid batteries have the longest service life when they are kept fully charged while also avoiding deep discharges.

Be sure to write down the battery change in your truck's service records.

Please check out all of my 2015-2019 GM Chevrolet Colorado DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)



 

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info