Positive Thoughts.....

My main objective today was to change the battery on my aging Ford Focus.

I always thought it was the simplest of jobs...Changing a battery. No problem.

Oh my, four hours later I breathed out and swore never to do it again. About that I am sure.

Positive in fact.

The battery is located at the back of the engine bay. Half concealed by the scuttle and plastic housing.

The retaining bracket had to be removed before I could move the battery. The whole front of the battery housing had to be removed. I had to expose the fuse box and unhook the wiring loom. I had to remove the whole air filter box and put all the bolts and screws and bits and pieces safely to one side. 

I had to disconnect the positive terminal on the old battery, slide it forward carefully, and then disconnect the negative  terminal. 

Once the old battery was out (it is a very heavy lump!) I had a tea break. I was rattled and tired from the effort. Needed to gather my thoughts. 

Once. rested I lifted the new battery into place, risking a second and third hernia.

Reconnected the terminals, replaced the retaining bracket, reconnected the wiring loom and rebuilt the air filter box. Fiddly, faffy and frustrating.

I took advice halfway through this saga to ensure I did it right ..I am no mechanic and I am hopeless with electrics.

Not keen on frying myself or setting the car on fire.

But, bit by  bit I got it done. When it was all finished I put the keys in and the car started first time. The dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and a CD started playing that hadn't played for two years. I forgot it was in the player.

This experience has served to make me thankful I was never a mechanical engineer. 

A bad workman always blames his tools.

Or is that just me being negative...