Serious battery Issues

racer_x_one · 07-11-2010, 05:42 PM

So, I woke up the other day to a dead battery and checked the usual, no lights on etc and the battery isnt that old (less than 3 years). I figured I had a parasitic drain and read up on the site for ideas and narrowed it down to the 40 amp fuse under the hood labeled fuse panel. Havent got much futher than that other than pullin each fuse individually under the dash with no result. After being out all day today driving (high 80's) I popped the hood to poke around and could hear the battery hissing out the service vents. I popped them off and the battery was bubbling very vigorously and was extremly hot to the touch. What could be going on here? The battery voltage engine off is 12.85 and engine running is 14. something I dont remember. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks

Iron Weasel · 07-11-2010, 07:26 PM

Was the acid actually coming out of the vents or was the bubbling contained within the battery?

Typically, anything above 14.4v while charging (i.e. the engine running) can (there's a possibility, but it's not 100%) cause a battery to start gassing which is what it sounds like you experienced. It can cause the acid in the battery to vent and the battery itself to increase in temperature - also something you experienced.

At any rate, check the "water" level, assuming it's not one of those maintenance free types, it could be low. If so, fill it up using distilled water until the water in each cell is just below the bottom of the hole. Then take it to some place like Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. and have the battery checked. If your alternator is a 95 amp model, it shouldn't be putting out more than 15.0v, for the 110 & 130 amp alternators, it shouldn't put out more than 14.7 volts. If it is, chances are you have a faulty voltage regulator.

jakprince · 07-11-2010, 08:57 PM

It could be a short in the battery.I had one in a 99 olds cutlass do that and after replacing the battery it was fine.

racer_x_one · 07-11-2010, 09:09 PM

When I woke to the dead battery I toke it inside topped off the cells (they were a little low but no lead exposed) and charged it for an hour. Im not sure of the acid concentration I dont have a hydrometer, but I will get one and check. Also the dead cell makes sence and might be the problem. So do you think this is the cause of the parasitic drain or I still have that to deal with? Thanks for the help!

jakprince · 07-11-2010, 09:22 PM

there should still be some warranty on the battery so thats where i would start

Equnoxe · 07-11-2010, 09:37 PM

i would get your alternator and battery checked. i would jsut replace the battery.

racer_x_one · 07-12-2010, 02:08 PM

Well I woke to another dead battery this morning. I brought it in to charge it and it would not hold a charge, the voltage was 10.45. It ended up that it did have a dead cell draging it down. I bought a new battery, installed it and everything seams fine. Engine running voltage at idle is 14.82 and 14.79 at 2000 rpm. I still have the 54 ma drain but now I'm wondering if that was there all a along it's just that my battery crapped out on me. Thanks for the help guys.

07-11-2010, 05:42 PM	#1
racer_x_one Wannabe Elite Explorer PA '94 XLT Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Serious battery Issues So, I woke up the other day to a dead battery and checked the usual, no lights on etc and the battery isnt that old (less than 3 years). I figured I had a parasitic drain and read up on the site for ideas and narrowed it down to the 40 amp fuse under the hood labeled fuse panel. Havent got much futher than that other than pullin each fuse individually under the dash with no result. After being out all day today driving (high 80's) I popped the hood to poke around and could hear the battery hissing out the service vents. I popped them off and the battery was bubbling very vigorously and was extremly hot to the touch. What could be going on here? The battery voltage engine off is 12.85 and engine running is 14. something I dont remember. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks

07-11-2010, 09:37 PM	#6
Equnoxe Wannabe Elite Explorer Ontario 97' Exploder EB Edition Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 465 Vehicle Specs	i would get your alternator and battery checked. i would jsut replace the battery. __________________ (146.0 DB) 6 10's, AmericanBass XD2000, Custom Box, 0 Gauge, 3Batts2Caps, Alpine SPR-13S, Boss NX3000.4, 5% Tint, Vent Visors, 35's, 400W light-rack, roof basket, Lucas Oil, Sound Proofing, 1354, Hidden Winch, , A/C Delete, aux tranny cooler + filter.

07-11-2010, 07:26 PM	#2
Iron Weasel Wannabe Elite Explorer Belen, New Mexico 1994 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 589 Vehicle Specs	Was the acid actually coming out of the vents or was the bubbling contained within the battery? Typically, anything above 14.4v while charging (i.e. the engine running) can (there's a possibility, but it's not 100%) cause a battery to start gassing which is what it sounds like you experienced. It can cause the acid in the battery to vent and the battery itself to increase in temperature - also something you experienced. At any rate, check the "water" level, assuming it's not one of those maintenance free types, it could be low. If so, fill it up using distilled water until the water in each cell is just below the bottom of the hole. Then take it to some place like Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. and have the battery checked. If your alternator is a 95 amp model, it shouldn't be putting out more than 15.0v, for the 110 & 130 amp alternators, it shouldn't put out more than 14.7 volts. If it is, chances are you have a faulty voltage regulator.

07-11-2010, 08:57 PM	#3
jakprince Wannabe Elite Explorer virginia 99 explorer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 Vehicle Specs	It could be a short in the battery.I had one in a 99 olds cutlass do that and after replacing the battery it was fine.

07-11-2010, 09:09 PM	#4
racer_x_one Wannabe Elite Explorer PA '94 XLT Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	When I woke to the dead battery I toke it inside topped off the cells (they were a little low but no lead exposed) and charged it for an hour. Im not sure of the acid concentration I dont have a hydrometer, but I will get one and check. Also the dead cell makes sence and might be the problem. So do you think this is the cause of the parasitic drain or I still have that to deal with? Thanks for the help!

07-11-2010, 09:22 PM	#5
jakprince Wannabe Elite Explorer virginia 99 explorer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30 Vehicle Specs	there should still be some warranty on the battery so thats where i would start

07-12-2010, 02:08 PM	#7
racer_x_one Wannabe Elite Explorer PA '94 XLT Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well I woke to another dead battery this morning. I brought it in to charge it and it would not hold a charge, the voltage was 10.45. It ended up that it did have a dead cell draging it down. I bought a new battery, installed it and everything seams fine. Engine running voltage at idle is 14.82 and 14.79 at 2000 rpm. I still have the 54 ma drain but now I'm wondering if that was there all a along it's just that my battery crapped out on me. Thanks for the help guys.