Thread: Battery issue? (B13)

sounds like the voltage regulator in the alternator is acting up.

That's exactly what I thought....

but then I drove it again today for about 30 minutes.. and when I got home, I heard a funny sound. I thought it was the fuel pump at first, but it was coming from the engine area. I put on gloves and safety goggles and cautiously popped the hood to find the battery making a "fizzing" sound, is the best way I can describe it. So I touched the side with my gloved hand, and it was very very warm. There was also a foul odor. I freaked. Unbolted it as quick as I could and basically chucked it out the front door thinking it was going to explode. It made that weird sound for like 20 minutes. The battery is quite old, but the alternator is only 18 months old and it was brand new.. going to get a new battery and see if that was the problem. Perhaps the blower resistor blew as well when it was hit with a surge of power from a messed up battery. Fuses are good inside.

Where did you get your alternator for? I had to replace mine in my p11 3 times in just a few months before i got a decent one and now it makes a weird noise lol... MAKE SURE that you are getting proper voltage with your car on... Drive it around with a voltmeter to the battery if you can and watch it..

Overcharging

The alternator overcharging the battery?

That's exactly what's happening....your internal regulator crapped out and now the alternator has no way to regulate the charge going to the battery and that foul odor is the battery acid boiling inside the battery.....replace both the alternator and battery.

yep man speaks the truth

Thanks guys, that makes sense. Do you think that also took out the blower resistor motor (since the heater isn't working?) I know its only like $12 @ Autozone, I suppose Ill find out when I put in the new alt and battery.

EDIT: here's something I jut remembered, though I'm not sure if it's related -about a week ago I noticed the belt tensioner bolt was loose, sticking up like an inch; I of course tightened it down and it hasn't moved. no idea

Sounds unrelated...it's not uncommon over time for some bolts to loosen if they are subject to constant vibration, especially the tensioner given that sucker is bouncing up and down all the time, it's what it's designed to do, would recommend throwing some LOCTITE on those threads so it doesn't happen again.