Disconnect and Reconnect the Battery

Last updated: June 9, 2026

Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your DS 4 (2011–2018) — for a new battery, winter storage, or work near the airbags — needs one extra step most cars don’t: a wait for the body computer (BSI) to go to sleep before you pull the terminal.

Find the Battery First

The 12 V battery is in the engine compartment. Note your radio security code and presets before you start.

Disconnecting Safely (BSI Sleep)

1. Turn the engine off and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Close the windows, then lock the car with the mechanical key and close all the doors.
3. Wait 6 minutes so the BSI (body control computer) powers down fully.
4. Disconnect the negative (−) terminal first, then the positive.
5. Working near airbags or pretensioners? Wait a few minutes after disconnecting before such work.

Reconnecting and Re-initialising

Reconnect positive first, then negative. The DS 4 then relearns a few items:

• Power windows — one-touch needs re-initialising (see our DS 4 window-reset guide).
• Remote control may need a quick re-sync (ignition off, on, press lock once, off).
• Re-enter the clock and radio presets.

If Something Isn’t Right Afterwards

• Warning lights often clear after a short drive.
• The gear lever won’t leave ‘P’ after a flat battery? Use the console emergency release — see our DS 4 shift-lock release guide.
• A persistent light stores a code — look it up on autodtcs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the battery on a DS 4?

In the engine compartment.

Why wait 6 minutes before disconnecting?

So the BSI body computer goes to sleep — pulling the terminal while it’s awake can corrupt stored settings.

Which terminal first?

Negative (−) off first, reconnect it last.

What needs resetting afterwards?

The windows need a one-touch relearn, the remote may need a re-sync, and you’ll re-enter the clock and presets.

If a warning light stays on after reconnecting, look up the code on autodtcs.com.