[bcwang]

Hmm, I didn't know later Sienna's of the 2nd generation switched to group 35 batteries. Can you still fit the 24F in them?

My 2004 came with a 24F, and I replaced it with a Duralast Gold 24F last year. The 24F has more CCA and reserve time while being cheaper than the 35. I think given the choice there is no reason to go with the 35 when you can use the 24F.

 

[brian_bp]

Hmm, I didn't know later Sienna's of the 2nd generation switched to group 35 batteries.

I don't think the switch was ever made, except in the listings of battery suppliers who want to carry fewer models of product.

The 24F has more CCA and reserve time while being cheaper than the 35. I think given the choice there is no reason to go with the 35 when you can use the 24F.

I agree!

 

[snub17]

Well i got the wal-mart energizer max 108-35n for my 2004 sienna, since that was the only recommendation in the battery selector group. But my question is the terminals are reversed, so how do i get around that plus what is the right way to remove the bar holding the OEM battery in place.

Thanks

 

[tbalon]

Well i got theWilmar energizer max 108-35n for my 2004 sienna, since that was the only recommendation in the battery selector group. But my question is the terminals are reversed, so how do i get around that plus what is the right way to remove the bar holding the OEM battery in place.

Thanks

I just replaced my Toyota battery today (tested bad with a bad cell). Sad thing is it was only 2 yrs old according to the date sticker on top. It came with the van when I bought it used and when I talked to the dealership they said I had to have the receipt for any warranty claims since it was not the original battery. I went to Walmart instead and the Walmart guide recommended the Energizer Maxx 24FS for me on my 07 Sienna. It was an easy swap and perfect fit. I am not sure why it did not recommend the 24f(s)(s is for south, I live in Florida) for you. If they have a group 24F size battery available, I would return the 35n and exchange it for the 24F as this would be a better battery and you would not have to deal with the reversed terminals. I have attached some pics of the replacement for anyone interested. General steps are:

safety first,
You should always wear acid-resistant gloves, goggles, and an apron. Also, no smoking or sparks around a car battery. Batteries give off Hydrogen gas which can explode if ignited by a spark

1: Disconnect the cable terminals from the old battery's terminals (negative/black first and then positive/red). All nuts and bolts are 10mm so you only need one wrench.

2. Remove the frame or bracket holding the battery in place,
The rear most nut on the bracket is threaded to a rod which has a hook on the end of it. The hook fits into a slot near the bottom of the battery tray. You do not deed to remove the nut but just loosen it enough to allow the hook to slip out of the anchor point.
Then remove the forward most bolt on the bracket. Remove the bracket.

3. Lift the old battery out.

4. Clean the cable terminals with a wire brush and baking soda and water if they're corroded or dirty. Also there is a plastic battery tray at the bottom that just lifts out and should be cleaned and returned to position.

5. Lower the new battery into position, with the positive and negative poles in the same relative positions as before.

6. Reattach the hold down bracket by reinserting the hook of the hold down rod back into the anchor point and snugging up the nut finger tight. This will allow you to move the battery to line up the second bolt in the hold down bracket. Tighten the bolts securely (do not overtighten).

7. Connect the cables to the new battery securely - positive to positive and then negative to negative. The cable ends should not be able to move; any looseness can prevent your car from starting.

8. reattach the positive cable cover and you are done!!

Remember to reset you clock, radio station presets and the automatic window functions.

 

[snub17]

Thank you very much tbalon, that pictorial was very helpfull with the installation. Actually the Energizer battery fit easily and it was smaller then my 24F battery. Also the terminals werent reversed the wal mart site has the wrong picture. So all in all it works well and it has 800CA and 640CCA, which is better then the OEM 580CCA. Im not quite sure what you meant with the reset but i did change the time on my dash.

Thanks Again

 

[topspy]

~snip!~
Im not quite sure what you meant with the reset but i did change the time on my dash.

Thanks Again

You may (or may not) need to re-initialize/reset any or all "power" functions........power windows, power doors, power rear hatch, power moonroof, clock, radio stations & settings, NAV system location & settings, etc if your Sienna is equipped with those features. Generally, for the doors/windows you just need to do a complete cycle (open-close) manually before the system is properly re-initialized/reset to function properly. There are more detailed instructions in your Owner's Manual which will say pretty much the same thing.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

 

[irlandes]

2002 Sienna, 168,000 miles. Replaced the original somewhat over 5 years, just as preventive maintenance, probably well over 100,000 miles.

Got an expensive Delco Pro, I think it was. Bad mistake. Didn't last long, and leaked constantly.

Less than 3 years old, it died here in Mexico. No way to get warranty service LTH, which one poster says is Johnson controls in Mexico, makes a 24R, their name for 24F. Tire place downtown in this small rural village had one, put it in, paid, and drove off. Surprised me, I thought I'd have to get someone to drive me several hour round trip to the nearest city to get one.

 

[steelcity]

Surprised to hear this about an delco battery,I have always had great experience with these batteries in fact I consider them top notch.In fact I think they even went to the moon in the lunar rover.

 

[brian_bp]

Surprised to hear this about an delco battery,I have always had great experience with these batteries in fact I consider them top notch.In fact I think they even went to the moon in the lunar rover.

Well, something completely unlike a car battery with a paid ad for Delco might have gone there...

I assume that Delco does not make batteries themselves. I would guess as the house brand for GM they have been premium-priced and likely are a premium product from one of the battery manufacturers... and maybe a different manufacturer every year.

 

[brian_bp]

With the revival of this topic I now realize that I may not have posted my own decision: I did eventually put in a DieHard 624FMF, labeled as "6000 Series", and designated as (group) 24F and 650 CCA, purchased at Kal Tire.

 

[topspy]

This topic is actually very popular. It often appears on the list of what is being viewed by members/guests.....sometimes multiple times within a given time range by different IP addresses/logins.

 

[wag]

I assume that Delco does not make batteries themselves.

You would be wrong Brian. They are one of the "Big Four" North American lead-acid battery manufacturers. Regardless of the name on the case, virtually all of the automotive batteries manufactured and sold in North America come from one of these manufacturers. Delco is the only one manufacturing sealed maintenance-free conventional wet cell batteries, so when you see a sealed battery you know it came from them. Some of the best (and most expensive) batteries on the market come from them.

 

[steelcity]

Who makes the "diehard battery" ? Interstate ?

 

[brian_bp]

I assume that Delco does not make batteries themselves.

You would be wrong Brian. They are one of the "Big Four" North American lead-acid battery manufacturers. Regardless of the name on the case, virtually all of the automotive batteries manufactured and sold in North America come from one of these manufacturers.

Hey, that's why it's an explicit assumption, rather than a statement of fact. That would mean Delco completes the list of four, consisting of

• Johnson Controls
• East Penn
• Exide
• Delco

It seems that Delco is the only one which doesn't make batteries for other brands, as none of the batteries we have come across in this discussion seem to come from Delco.

By the way, the "AC Delco" brand name has an interesting and convoluted history. Currently, it appears to be tied to the GM division responsible for parts; while I assume from wag's comments that GM actually makes these batteries, other parts are likely just "ACDelco" branded, just as Ford applies the Motorcraft brand and Chrysler applies the Mopar brand. The ACDelco website certainly supports this interpretation, babbling about the history of the brand and the distribution model, rather than actually saying what the company is or what they make.

Delco is the only one manufacturing sealed maintenance-free conventional wet cell batteries, so when you see a sealed battery you know it came from them. Some of the best (and most expensive) batteries on the market come from them.

To me, the whole idea of a sealed wet cell battery is nonsensical, as it is nothing but a wet-cell battery with no access for examination or maintenance. I do see the logic: just as with an automatic transmission with fluid needing maintenance and no dipstick, it is deliberately hard for the incompetent owner or service staff to mess up. The sealed wet-cell batteries have extra electrolyte, and hope to go their entire life without needing more fluid. I note that commercial-grade wet-cell batteries from other well-regarded manufacturers which are used for seriously long periods under severe conditions are not sealed, but then they are perhaps less likely to be maintained by well-meaning but incompetent owners.

As for Sienna batteries...
the ACDelco Online Catalog lists three batteries for the 2004 Sienna:

24R6YR [Professional - 6 Yr-Battery]; Top post-Battery CCA rating 600 ; 24F BCI ; 0585 CCA
24R7YR [Professional - 7 Yr-Battery]; Top post-Battery CCA rating 700 ; 24F BCI ; 0585 CCA
ACD24F60 [60 Series Battery]; Top post-Battery CCA rating 600 ; 24F BCI ; 0585 CCA

I note a couple of interesting bits of information those specs:

• While a CCA rating of 585 is shown for each, that is probably the Sienna's original spec; the ACDelco batteries are rated at 600 or 700 CCA, like most brands.
• The model names of the first two include "24R", which is the common BCI group size offered for the Sienna, but the details list the larger 24F; I assume that the actual battery is a smaller 24R offered as close enough to replace the original 24F (a common practice, not just with ACDelco). The "60 Series" product is part of a "lower" line, and according to the warranty list (the only full list of sizes I could find), the 60 Series only comes in 24F, not 24R.
• They note "top post" for each model, because they are a GM division and GM insisted on those side terminals so the normal top-post configuration must be identified

 

[brian_bp]

Who makes the "diehard battery" ? Interstate ?

As shown in the table way back in this topic, the "DieHard" branded batteries we have found are from either Johnson Controls (as sold at Sears in the U.S.) or East Penn (as sold at Kal Tire in Canada). I wouldn't be entirely surprised if there are Exide batteries branded as DieHard sold somewhere.

Interstate is a major distributor of batteries made by Johnson Controls (JCI).

 

[wag]

It seems that Delco is the only one which doesn't make batteries for other brands, as none of the batteries we have come across in this discussion seem to come from Delco.

Delco DOES manufacture batteries for other brands. They make some models of the Walmart Everstart MAXXs, some of the newer DieHards, some of the O'Reilly Super Starts, and some of the NAPA Legend batteries to name a few. They also supplied batteries to Western Auto, I purchased several of them there before they went under. In addition to maintainence-free batteries, they also manufacture conventional batteries.

To me, the whole idea of a sealed wet cell battery is nonsensical, as it is nothing but a wet-cell battery with no access for examination or maintenance. I do see the logic: just as with an automatic transmission with fluid needing maintenance and no dipstick, it is deliberately hard for the incompetent owner or service staff to mess up. The sealed wet-cell batteries have extra electrolyte, and hope to go their entire life without needing more fluid. I note that commercial-grade wet-cell batteries which are used for seriously long periods under severe conditions are not sealed, but then they are perhaps less likely to be maintained by well-meaning but incompetent owners.

A couple of advantages are that they do not leak acid and they do not vent hydrogen gas unless seriously overcharged. As a result they are safer and have a decided advantage in uses where regular "serviceable" batteries would not be desireable, such as in the trunk. They are also advantageous where checking/adding water would be difficult or impossible. Under normal conditions (when it is not overcharged) water vapor is recycled inside the battery and is not exhausted from the battery with the hydrogen, like conventional batteries. Also, because of this they do not corrode the terminals like conventional batteries.
A piece of history, maintenance-free side terminal batteries were developed by Delco for the Chevy Vega because of the way that GM planned to ship them. The Vegas were shipped in a vertical position in rail cars designed specifically for this purpose. GM could ship many more of them per rail car this way. They needed a battery that would not leak in this position and would not short out if they came loose in transit.

I personally like Delco batteries. I have had excellent luck with them over the years. They also tend to consistantly rank at or near the top of Consumer Reports ratings.

 

[brian_bp]

It seems that Delco is the only one which doesn't make batteries for other brands, as none of the batteries we have come across in this discussion seem to come from Delco.

Delco DOES manufacture batteries for other brands. They make some models of the Walmart Everstart MAXXs, some of the newer DieHards, some of the O'Reilly Super Starts, and some of the NAPA Legend batteries to name a few. They also supplied batteries to Western Auto, I purchased several of them there before they went under. In addition to maintainence-free batteries, they also manufacture conventional batteries.

If you've got details, supply them and I'll try to update that table near the beginning of this thread. One problem with identifying these things is that a brand name is not nearly enough, since (as this emphasizes) there can be many sources of the same-branded battery.

To me, the whole idea of a sealed wet cell battery is nonsensical, as it is nothing but a wet-cell battery with no access for examination or maintenance.

A couple of advantages are that they do not leak acid and they do not vent hydrogen gas unless seriously overcharged. As a result they are safer and have a decided advantage in uses where regular "serviceable" batteries would not be desireable, such as in the trunk. They are also advantageous where checking/adding water would be difficult or impossible. Under normal conditions (when it is not overcharged) water vapor is recycled inside the battery and is not exhausted from the battery with the hydrogen, like conventional batteries. Also, because of this they do not corrode the terminals like conventional batteries.

This means that these are valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, dependent on recombinant chemistry, like gel and AGM batteries. I'm surprised by that, but I agree that the advantages would apply if this is true. My question: why are they not found in the many applications for sealed batteries where only gel and AGM are found today (other than the fact that they can only be transported tilted, but must be used upright).

A piece of history, maintenance-free side terminal batteries were developed by Delco for the Chevy Vega because of the way that GM planned to ship them. The Vegas were shipped in a vertical position in rail cars designed specifically for this purpose. GM could ship many more of them per rail car this way. They needed a battery that would not leak in this position and would not short out if they came loose in transit.

That's an interesting bit of trivia - thanks! Ah, the days when GM was willing to try original ideas... the 1974 Vega (and the related Monza) was even due to get a Wankel-type rotary engine before that project died.

For those interested in this particular sidetrack, see the Wikipedia Vega page for the Vert-A-Pac section, complete with a photo. That section, by the way, says the batteries were conventional, but with "filler caps located high up on the rear edge of the case to prevent acid spilling" in the nose-down shipping position.

The side terminals, on the other hand, seem like a completely unrelated feature. My guess is that they are just cheaper, because the cable's terminal is a simple lug rather than a clamp. The idea of threading lead is just so bad that I see even GM gave up on it, at least for the trucks I've looked at. Now we get dual-terminal batteries (often with "DT" in the model name) to accommodate vehicles having either top posts or side sockets with the same product.

I personally like Delco batteries. I have had excellent luck with them over the years. They also tend to consistantly rank at or near the top of Consumer Reports ratings.

I'm not questioning anyone's personal experience, but the Consumer Reports ratings mean almost nothing to me. Other than Consumer Reports' demonstrated technical incompetence, my problem with them for this type of product is that I have no idea if what I can buy will be what they tested, due to regional variations and the almost random application of brand names. DieHard batteries, for instance, currently come from any of at least three of the four manufacturers, according to what we have found in this discussion.

 

[wag]

If you've got details, supply them and I'll try to update that table near the beginning of this thread. One problem with identifying these things is that a brand name is not nearly enough, since (as this emphasizes) there can be many sources of the same-branded battery.

When you see a maintainence-free battery it came from Delco. I know of no other manufacturer that makes them.

This means that these are valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, dependent on recombinant chemistry, like gel and AGM batteries. I'm surprised by that, but I agree that the advantages would apply if this is true. My question: why are they not found in the many applications for sealed batteries where only gel and AGM are found today (other than the fact that they can only be transported tilted, but must be used upright).

Inside the top of the maintainence-free batteries they have a water separator and some kind of a catalyst. There is also a pressure release valve to vent hydrogen to the atmosphere in the event that internal pressures get too high due to overcharging. These batteries MUST be used in the upright position.

For those interested in this particular sidetrack, see the Wikipedia Vega page for the Vert-A-Pac section, complete with a photo. That section, by the way, says the batteries were conventional, but with "filler caps located high up on the rear edge of the case to prevent acid spilling" in the nose-down shipping position.
The side terminals, on the other hand, seem like a completely unrelated feature. My guess is that they are just cheaper, because the cable's terminal is a simple lug rather than a clamp. The idea of threading lead is just so bad that I see even GM gave up on it, at least for the trucks I've looked at. Now we get dual-terminal batteries (often with "DT" in the model name) to accommodate vehicles having either top posts or side sockets with the same product.

I read about the new maintainence-free batteries and their relationship to the Vega in a Popular Science or Popular Mechanics article back in 1969 or 70 (I subscribed to both back then). The Wikipedia article is wrong. My best Friend's dad bought one of the very first Vegas in the fall of 1970 and it did in-fact have a maintainence-free battery with side terminals. It was the first battery of it's type that any of us ever saw. I was intensly interested in the car having just received my driver's license, so this particular feature was burned into my memory.

DieHard batteries, for instance, currently come from any of at least three of the four manufacturers, according to what we have found in this discussion.

They just recently started using Delco as one of their suppliers. WalMart also carries batteries from at least 3 of the 4 major suppliers.

 

[brian_bp]

One problem with identifying these things is that a brand name is not nearly enough, since (as this emphasizes) there can be many sources of the same-branded battery.

When you see a maintainence-free battery it came from Delco. I know of no other manufacturer that makes them.

That would be none of the ones I've seen, but again there's that regional problem. Anyone else seen the Delco design in a battery for the Sienna?

For those interested in this particular sidetrack, see the Wikipedia Vega page for the Vert-A-Pac section, complete with a photo. That section, by the way, says the batteries were conventional, but with "filler caps located high up on the rear edge of the case to prevent acid spilling" in the nose-down shipping position.

I read about the new maintainence-free batteries and their relationship to the Vega in a Popular Science or Popular Mechanics article back in 1969 or 70 (I subscribed to both back then). The Wikipedia article is wrong. My best Friend's dad bought one of the very first Vegas in the fall of 1970 and it did in-fact have a maintainence-free battery...

It certainly wouldn't be the first incorrect information in Wikipedia, but the point of a wiki is that users can fix it: go for it!

(I did notice that the same Wikipedia page shows the Delco Freedom battery as a new-for-1976 feature, but I'm not the one with first-hand knowledge).

 

[wag]

That would be none of the ones I've seen, but again there's that regional problem.

There is an article about car batteries in the just released Nov. 2010 Consumer reports. In the article they picture several batteries that are obviously maintenance-free and they also recommend them.