12V Auxiliary Battery

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the 12V auxiliary battery in a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 commercial delivery van, which powers accessory systems and vehicle control modules.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• 12V auxiliary battery × 1 — Use OEM specification - Group 48 AGM battery
• Battery hold-down hardware (if corroded) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Battery terminal protectant × 1 — Dielectric grease or terminal spray

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Turn off all electrical accessories and remove key fob from vehicle interior
3. Allow vehicle to sit for at least 5 minutes after last drive to ensure all systems have powered down
4. Open front cargo area or hood (depending on battery location in your EDV variant)
5. Photograph or document any electrical connections for reference during reassembly
6. If using a battery memory saver, connect it according to manufacturer instructions before disconnecting battery
7. Ensure you have the vehicle service documentation available to check for any variant-specific procedures

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the 12V auxiliary battery compartment
   Remove the battery access cover or panel. For most EDV 500 variants, this requires removing Torx T20 fasteners securing the battery compartment cover in the front cargo area. Remove all fasteners and carefully lift the cover away, noting any clips or retention tabs. Some variants may have the battery under the hood requiring removal of plastic engine covers.
2. 2

   Document battery orientation and connections
   Before disconnecting anything, use your phone to take clear photos of all battery connections, wire routing, and the orientation of positive and negative terminals. Note the position of any vent tubes or monitoring cables. Identify the negative (black) and positive (red) terminals clearly.
3. 3

   Test battery voltage
   Using a multimeter, measure and record the voltage across the battery terminals. A healthy 12V battery should read between 12.4-12.8V when the vehicle has been off for at least 5 minutes. This provides a baseline for comparison with the new battery. Note any battery monitoring system connectors that may also need disconnection.
4. 4

   Disconnect the negative terminal
   Using a 10mm socket, loosen the negative (black) battery terminal clamp bolt. Once loose, carefully wiggle the terminal clamp off the battery post. Position the negative cable away from the battery terminal, ensuring it cannot accidentally make contact. Secure it with tape or tie it back if necessary.
5. 5

   Disconnect the positive terminal
   Using a 10mm socket, loosen the positive (red) battery terminal clamp bolt. Remove the terminal clamp from the positive post. Be extremely careful not to allow the positive terminal or any attached cables to contact any metal parts of the vehicle. Cover the positive terminal with a non-conductive material or position it safely away from any ground points.
6. 6

   Disconnect battery monitoring system
   Locate the Battery Management System (BMS) connector or monitoring cable attached to the battery. This is typically a small multi-pin connector on the battery side or top. Press the release tab and carefully disconnect the connector. Some Rivian vehicles may have a vent tube attached to the battery that should also be disconnected.
7. 7

   Remove battery hold-down hardware
   Locate the battery hold-down bracket or clamp system. Using a 13mm socket, remove the bolt(s) securing the hold-down bracket. The EDV 500 typically uses a J-style hold-down at the base of the battery. Remove the hold-down hardware completely and set aside. Inspect hardware for corrosion and replace if necessary.
8. 8

   Remove the old battery
   Carefully lift the battery straight up and out of the battery tray. The battery weighs approximately 40-50 pounds, so use proper lifting technique. Be careful not to tip the battery excessively as it may contain acid. Inspect the battery tray for any corrosion, debris, or damage. Clean the tray thoroughly with a wire brush and baking soda solution if corrosion is present, then dry completely.
9. 9

   Prepare and install new battery
   Verify the new battery specifications match the original (Group 48 AGM type for EDV 500). Check that the positive and negative terminals are on the correct sides to match your cable routing. Clean the battery terminals on the new battery with a terminal cleaner if needed. Carefully lower the new battery into the battery tray, ensuring it seats fully and is oriented correctly with terminals matching the cable positions.
10. 10

    Reinstall hold-down hardware
    Reinstall the battery hold-down bracket and secure with the 13mm bolt(s). Tighten firmly to prevent battery movement, but do not overtighten as this can damage the battery case. The battery should not be able to move more than 1/4 inch in any direction when properly secured.
11. 11

    Reconnect battery monitoring system
    Reconnect the Battery Management System connector to the new battery, ensuring it clicks firmly into place. If applicable, reconnect any vent tubes, making sure they are properly routed and not kinked. Verify all monitoring connections are secure.
12. 12

    Reconnect the positive terminal
    Clean the positive battery terminal and cable clamp with a wire brush or terminal cleaner. Place the positive (red) cable clamp onto the positive battery post. Using a 10mm socket, tighten the terminal clamp bolt securely. The connection should be tight enough that the cable cannot be rotated by hand. Apply a thin coating of dielectric grease or terminal protectant to prevent corrosion.
13. 13

    Reconnect the negative terminal
    Clean the negative battery terminal and cable clamp with a wire brush or terminal cleaner. Place the negative (black) cable clamp onto the negative battery post. Using a 10mm socket, tighten the terminal clamp bolt securely. The connection should be tight enough that the cable cannot be rotated by hand. Apply a thin coating of dielectric grease or terminal protectant. You may notice a small spark when making final connection - this is normal as systems initialize.
14. 14

    Verify electrical system operation
    Using a multimeter, measure the voltage across the battery terminals. It should read 12.6-12.8V for a fully charged new battery. Enter the vehicle and verify that the instrument cluster powers on. Check that interior lights, windows, and basic electrical functions operate normally. Do not attempt to drive yet.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the battery compartment cover or access panel with all Torx fasteners
2. Ensure all trim clips are properly seated and panels are secure
3. Verify no tools or parts have been left in the battery compartment
4. Close the cargo area or hood fully

Verification

• Turn the vehicle to ON mode and verify all warning lights illuminate then extinguish properly (except those that may require driving to reset)
• Check that all electrical accessories function correctly: windows, locks, HVAC, infotainment system
• Verify the instrument cluster shows normal battery voltage (typically 13.5-14.5V when systems are active)
• Test that the vehicle is ready to drive with no critical warning messages
• Reset the clock and any other settings that may have been cleared
• Some systems may require a brief drive cycle (10-15 minutes) to fully recalibrate; driver assist features may need reinitialization
• Monitor for any electrical system warnings over the next few drive cycles
• If the vehicle was equipped with a battery registration or coding system, follow manufacturer procedures to register the new battery with the vehicle's computer (consult Rivian service documentation)

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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