89 348 battery change question?

hi guys my 89 348 needs a new battery with the retractable antenna is there any other way besides going through the rear fender well or am I just in denial? any thoughts would be a big help>

 

Hello, local 348 owner!

Your 1989 348 must have the battery in back, in the left rear corner of the engine compartment. Are you saying that your retractable antenna is mounted in the same area, on the fender above the battery? I guess that gives you two choices. You can remove the antenna, which shouldn't be difficult, to give you enough room to replace the battery from above (it's a tight fit, but I've done it before). Or, just go ahead and remove the LR wheel (5 bolts) and the LR fender liner (5 screws, I think) and the battery comes right out.

Just in case you're new to the 348, you should be careful where you place your jack, make sure it's in the braced area of the subframe, and NOT under the engine/trans/clutch, and NOT (!!!!) under the radiator. Jack stand should be in place for safety while the wheel is off.

I've had a regular Costco battery in my '90 348 for many years with no problems at all, it starts every time!

Edit: Just checked your profile, I see you've had it for a while.

 

Hey I remember you from the Italian Concour last year. I have the red/tan ts. I thought it might fit if I removed the brake light dust cover and the antenna. I will give it a try, I still dont understand why a 2 1/2 year old battery is dead considering I drive or warm it up every weekend. Thanks for the advise

 

The 2 ECU's are always ON, that's old technology, they drain current constantly. If I don't drive mine every week, I have to charge the battery ( my is now 2 1/2 years old as well ) with the tender, I think pretty much is what it is.

 

okay that makes sense what if I got one of those battery disconnect knobs and installed that? I have the battery tender but when I plug it in it shows a full charge so I think it is old and broken or both. Thanks for the info about the ECU's I learn something new every day

 

I purchased my 348 in January 2000, and put a new Costco battery into it less than a year later, as a precaution (the old one wasn't totally dead). The same battery is still in the car, and the only time it has ever gone dead was one time when I left the key in the ignition switch for a week while the car was in the garage. Otherwise, it ALWAYS starts, and I don't use a battery tender. I haven't driven it in 8 weeks or more, but it started instantly a couple of days ago.

 

What year is yours ? if it has the 2.7 Motronic ECU's they are an upgrade and don't drain current like the 2.5 of an 89/90 348 like mine ....

 

Mine is a 1990, built in December 1990, with Motronic 2.7 ECU's.

 

Yep, that explains ! It's a late 90 and already have the updated ECU's. Mine is august 90.