Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
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From: Canada
Car: 87 Iroc-Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: T5
Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
I couldn't start my car the other day, so i charged the battery. It started right up but the next morning it wouldn't start. I noticed an acid stain on the driveway so i pulled the battery and it had acid dripping down the side. I jumped it to get it going and checked the voltage while it was running and it was 14.5 volts.
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Drilling For Oil With Acid
14.5 is not unusual after starting when the alternator is cold.
The question is what was the voltage on the charger.
If 15 or more observed then overcharging is occurring.
You might have damaged it by overcharging.
Trickle charging is better for the battery than emergency - gotta race now - charging.
Check your car for undue off time drain.
Sometimes the under-hood or hatch light does not go out so check those easy ones first.
Then connect an ammeter in series with the battery.
If there is more than 50 milliamps there is excessive draw.
(You can use a small bulb such as a side marker bulb if you don’t have an ammeter.)
Disconnect the alternator wires to see if IT’S the problem.
With everything turned off and doors closed observe the current flow.
Pull the fuses one at a time, including the pump fuse near the battery, till you see the current drop.
That’s the circuit with the problem.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
I’ll Bump You Once To Move You Over, Next Time I’ll Spin You
The question is what was the voltage on the charger.
If 15 or more observed then overcharging is occurring.
You might have damaged it by overcharging.
Trickle charging is better for the battery than emergency - gotta race now - charging.
Check your car for undue off time drain.
Sometimes the under-hood or hatch light does not go out so check those easy ones first.
Then connect an ammeter in series with the battery.
If there is more than 50 milliamps there is excessive draw.
(You can use a small bulb such as a side marker bulb if you don’t have an ammeter.)
Disconnect the alternator wires to see if IT’S the problem.
With everything turned off and doors closed observe the current flow.
Pull the fuses one at a time, including the pump fuse near the battery, till you see the current drop.
That’s the circuit with the problem.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
I’ll Bump You Once To Move You Over, Next Time I’ll Spin You
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 89
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From: Canada
Car: 87 Iroc-Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: T5
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
I sort of believe (and hope) the charger is the problem. I will try out your troubleshooting.
Thanks, Nina.
Thanks, Nina.
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Joined: May 2005
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Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
The charger could be the issue with the acid spewing out, but there is still the point of your initial no-start situation that occurred prior to any battery charging.
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
Sounds like your battery is damaged or bad. I would pull it and do a detailed inspection, but spewing is a sign that it is boiling which usually means no electrolyte and just water.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Canada
Car: 87 Iroc-Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: T5
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
Thanks Guys, I was hoping that the intial no start was due to an overcharge in the spring (same battery charger) and a slow degradation of the battery. I can't be quite sure if there was an acid stain from back then. ( I don't drive it alot.)
Would a battery that had boiled, give me accessory problems (volt drop from headlights, blower,windows.), before quitting on me.
Also, could this happen, just from a bad, new battery. Just wondering before I take it back.
Would a battery that had boiled, give me accessory problems (volt drop from headlights, blower,windows.), before quitting on me.
Also, could this happen, just from a bad, new battery. Just wondering before I take it back.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
Yes, a boiled battery absolutely could give problems with capacity because if the battery is low on electrolyte or the plates are damaged it won't work like it should.
Most likely that would not happen from a "bad" new battery. If your stuff screwed it up, which is the most likely case, man up and pay the bill. Don't be a scammer.
If I misunderstood the insinuation of that point about a "bad, new battery ... before I take it back" I apologize.
Most likely that would not happen from a "bad" new battery. If your stuff screwed it up, which is the most likely case, man up and pay the bill. Don't be a scammer.
If I misunderstood the insinuation of that point about a "bad, new battery ... before I take it back
" I apologize. Last edited by whoaru99; Aug 23, 2013 at 12:46 PM.
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Thread Starter
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From: Canada
Car: 87 Iroc-Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: T5
Re: Battery Leak? Bad battery or charging system?
Whoaru99, I have been charging batteries the exact same way for quite a few years, and have never had this happen. My alternator/regulator seems fine, therefore I was curious if this could have been a flawed battery, out of the box. This was its first spring, as I got it last year. It was a lesser expensive battery. If there is a chance there might be a warranty replacement, I would try. To scam "No" To save my money "Yes".
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