Toyota
Corolla 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a weak or dead 12 volt car
battery in a 12th generation 2020, 2021 and 2022 Toyota Corolla.
2020 Corolla 1.8L I4 |
Right Side - 12V Battery |
Loosen Negative Terminal |
This automotive maintenance
tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the twelfth generation
2019 (hatchback), 2020, 2021, 2022 (and probably also the 2023, 2024 & 2025)
Toyota Corolla sedan equipped with the 2ZR-FAE 1.8L I4 engine in changing a
weak or dead 12 volt car battery. Owners of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles such as the Camry, C-HR, Venza, Avalon, 86, Sienna, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, IS 350, RX 350, UX 200, GS 350, IS 300 and ES 350 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) 12V automotive battery "Group Size" is H4 (also known as "BCI 140R", "140R / H4", "140R H4" or "LN1" in Europe). The original part number is Toyota 345LN1-MF (D6 20HR 45Ah CCA 307A EN). A few aftermarket H4 / 140R group size batteries that might be compatible include the Champion H4-480CHP, Duralast H4-DLG, Super Start 140RPRM and DieHard H4. (Note - I've read that if absolutely necessary, you may be able to use a group size 26 or 26R battery which may be easier to find in retail auto parts stores compared to the H4 batteries. If you do use a 26 or 26R battery, make sure that the positive and negative battery posts are in the correct position and that the hold down clamp is securely in place.) The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket, a 12mm socket, a long extension bar and a 1/4" or 3/8" drive ratchet. If you've had a problem with corrosion (white, blue or green powder) building up on the terminals or cables, consider installing some felt anti-corrosion washers over the posts on the new battery. Attention: Please proceed with caution and at your own risk! The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay. The 12V battery is situated in front of the black plastic cowl near the windshield, behind the engine air filter box and to the left of the primary electrical fuse / relay box. Avoid touching both the positive and negative terminals, posts or cables at the same time to prevent from being electrocuted. |
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Pull Off "-" Terminal |
"-" Terminal Removed |
Cover & Tuck Away |
First, loosen the
"-" negative terminal by turning the nut a few turns in the counterclockwise
direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Carefully pull the negative terminal off the "-" battery post. Wrap the terminal in a small towel and tuck it away next to the engine air filter box to help prevent accidental electrical contact. |
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Push In Release Tab |
Pull Off Plastic Cover |
Positive Terminal Exposed |
Push in the small
release tab on the right side of the black plastic cover on the top of the
power distribution board attached to the positive battery post. Pull off the plastic cover and set it aside in a safe place. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Metal Retaining Latch |
Flip Up & Back Metal Bar |
Loosen the nut on
the positive terminal by rotating it a few turns in the counterclockwise
direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Locate the silver metal retaining latch on the right rear edge of the power distribution board. Swing open the metal bar towards the rear of the vehicle to release the latch. |
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Metal Latch Released |
Power Distribution Board |
Both Terminals Removed |
Carefully pull the
power distribution board and positive terminal off the top of the old
battery. Tuck the board and terminal back behind the battery next to the brake fluid reservoir. |
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Hold Down Clamp |
Socket & Extension Bar |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Move to the front
right corner of the battery and locate the black metal hold down clamp held
in place by a single silver bolt. Attach the 12mm socket to a long extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet. Loosen the bolt by turning it in the counterclockwise direction. |
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Hold Down Bar Removed |
Lift Out Old Battery |
Old Battery Removed |
Continue loosening
the bolt until the hold down bar can be removed from the battery tray. Set the hold down clamp aside in a safe place. Warning - Avoid touching both the positive and negative terminals, posts or cables at the same time to prevent from being electrocuted! Carefully lift the old battery out of the engine bay. Gently rest the battery on the ground. Avoid dropping or tipping over the old battery to prevent from having acid leak out. |
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Distilled Water Level |
Clean Off Plastic Tray |
Lower In New Battery |
If you suspect that
the old battery is just low on distilled water, check the level by looking
at the the translucent plastic side of the case. There are lines indicating
the "lower level" and "upper level". Clean off any sand or debris on the plastic tray so that the new battery will rest evenly on it. Carefully lower the new H4 battery down into the engine bay with the positive and negative battery posts in the correct orientation. The original part number is Toyota 345LN1-MF (D6 20HR 45Ah CCA 307A EN). |
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Metal Hold Down Bar |
Spin In 12mm Bolt |
Tighten Bolt Clockwise |
Slide the new
battery to the left and rear of the battery tray so that it is secured by
the plastic lips on the tray. Lower the hold down clamp down into place. Spin in the bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to help prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the hold down clamp's bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction with the 12mm socket, an extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratchet until it is snug. Try to move the new battery. If the new battery can be moved, slid around or rocked on the tray, tighten the bolt an extra turn or two. |
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Push On Positive Terminal |
Secure Metal Latch |
Tighten "+" Clockwise |
If seen evidence of
corrosion (white, blue or green powder) building up on the battery
terminals, cables or posts, I recommend installing some
felt anti-corrosion washers. You can also use some CRC Battery Terminal Protector spray on the terminals and cables. First, push the positive terminal and power distribution board over to the "+" battery post. Secure the metal latch by flipping up the bar and snapping it into place over the top of the power distribution board. Tighten the nut on the positive terminal by turning it in the clockwise direction until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from damaging the battery post which could result in an acid leak. |
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Line Up Plastic Cover |
Push To Secure Clips |
Push On Negative Terminal |
Lower the plastic
cover over the top of the power distribution board. Push on the cover to secure the retaining clips. You should hear or feel the retaining clips "click" securely into place. Next, push the negative terminal over the "-" battery post. |
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Tighten Terminal Nut |
New Battery Installed |
Test New 12V Battery |
Tighten the
negative terminal nut by turning it in the clockwise direction with the 10mm
socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug. Double check that the terminals are secure. Make sure that the hold down clamp is also properly tightening. To test the new battery, start the engine and turn on the headlights. Please remember to adjust the time on the clock and re-program your favorite radio stations before you start driving. Don't forget to write down the battery change in your car's service records. Please check out all of my
2020 Toyota Corolla DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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