No Error Codes: How to change or disconnect the 12V Battery w/o throwing errors

[fxstein]

Turns out there is a safe and seemingly reliable way to disconnect and or change the main 12V battery on 2023+ Gen 1 Single Battery R1Ts (and most likely R1Ss) - at least as of firmware 2024.51.02 (not tried or tested earlier).

Here are the simple steps that allow you to prep the car for battery disconnect - perform maintenance - and then reconnect without the dreaded error codes being displayed on the main displays:

Disconnect procedure

1. Make sure you are in a save dry space to perform any electrical work on the vehicle
2. Set the vehicle to it's lowest possible ride hight in all purpose mode and wait for the car to settle at that level
   
   
   
   
3. Turn on Shipping Mode (this might not be necessary - but its a good step to shut down unnecessary functions and further reduce power draw)
4. Turn on Service Mode. No secret PIN needed, just simple service mode will do. (Be aware that you wont be able to control the vehicle from the App)
   
   
   
   
5. Remove the covers around the frunk tub and optionally the tub itself. I prefer removing it, it only takes an extra 5 min, 6 bolts and 2 electrical connections. With it removed there is ample space to work on anything including the batteries. This is a one-man job there are various threads and videos on youtube that show you how to make that happen.
6. Disconnect the High Voltage (HV) battery by unlocking its connector and pulling the red loop. Put it aside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Disconnect the negative - ground wire from the main battery. Make sure to not touch anything with the disconnected wire, there are various silicone battery covers availabe that you can slip over the exposed ground wire to make sure it is secured.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Check that the vehicle is off and no screens or lights are on. Best to use a voltage meter to verify.

Now perform any work like swapping the main battery, installing accessories, or replacing defective or broken parts.

Reconnect procedure

1. Check your work and make sure all tools are removed
2. Reconnect the High Voltage (HV) battery by reinserting the red loop back into its plug and secure it by pressing the red pin to secure the connection.
   
   
   
   
3. Reconnect the negative - ground wire at the main battery. Avoid touching the negative terminal multiple times. A single quick move to slide the connector over the screw terminal and keep applying pressure until the nut has been installed and hand tightened. When tightening avoid excessive torque as you don't want to twist the battery terminal and damage the battery.
   
   
   
   
4. If you did remove the frunk tub, reinsert it now (no need to tighten it down or install the covers just yet) and connect the two electrical connectors.

At this point the electrical system is back up and running. You can verify by getting into the car and checking the main screens. There should not be any error codes visible, but the cold start of the systems can lead to phone connections being re-established. Don't change any settings until you have finished all work on the vehicle.

Finishing up

1. Finish the tub reinstall by bolting down the 6 tub bolts
2. Install the 4 covers that surround the frunk tub.
3. Disable Service Mode
4. Disable Shipping Mode
5. Return ride hight to your preferred setting
6. Done. Go on a test drive. No error codes should be present.

Hope this helps!

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[Riviot]

Why mess with HV? Service manual makes no mention of it, just to access battery service in RiDE menu.

See correction below.

Edit to add: there's a special jumper when messing with 2 battery vehicles, otherwise you just need to reattach at the same time and hold for 30 seconds.

Also, there's a "RiDE Quest" for this service. It's Rivian using "quests" like an MMORPG for techs to complete work?! I want to see this.

 

[Rivianero]

Why mess with HV? Service manual makes no mention of it, just to access battery service in RiDE menu.

Edit to add: there's a special jumper when messing with 2 battery vehicles, outside you just need to reattach at the same time and hold for 30 seconds.

Also, there's a "RiDE Quest" for this service. It's Rivian using "quests" like an MMORPG for techs to complete work?! I want to see this.

Disconnecting the HV prevents the vehicle from attempting to recharge a missing 12v battery when it detects voltage has dropped. You don't want an unpredictable live 12v source in your work area. Inability for the HV to replenish the 12v is also the source of an error that may require a SC visit to reset.

 

[Riviot]

Disconnecting the HV prevents the vehicle from attempting to recharge a missing 12v battery when it detects voltage has dropped. You don't want an unpredictable live 12v source in your work area. Inability for the HV to replenish the 12v is also the source of an error that may require a SC visit to reset.

Just realized that's what this was. I'm correcting previous criticism.

 

[fxstein]

Correct. This is a simple procedure that seems to always work. As an electrical engineer by trade, the ground rule is to always remove all sources of power. It simply works. There might be other procedures and one can always ignore this and do it differently.

 

[NY_Rob]

Note... when working on electrical systems, best to remove any/all metal finger rings.

I did notice the hand is photoshoped in, but just wanted to mention it.

 

[fxstein]

Note... when working on electrical systems, best to remove any/all metal finger rings.

I did notice the hand is photoshoped in, but just wanted to mention it.

Ha! You got me. Did not take off my rings as I was told in school many years ago.

Funny thing: not photoshopped…

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Just realized that's what this was. I'm correcting previous criticism.

I want access to the service manual so bad!!!!!

 

[fxstein]

I want access to the service manual so bad!!!!!

Me 3!!!

 

[NY_Rob]

Ha! You got me. Did not take off my rings as I was told in school many years ago.

Funny thing: not photoshopped…

Nowadays I see YT videos where guys work on vehicles with rings on, wearing gold chains, even expensive smart watches. All no-no's for personal safety.

Thanks for the write-up BTW, nice job!

 

[Riviot]

I want access to the service manual so bad!!!!!

Me 3!!!

Standby!

 

[Harvey Mushman]

Standby!

I purchased a copy of the factory repair manual for my GS1250 from somewhere in Eastern Europe. I felt something like this when I got the thumb drive.

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