Took my son's 1969 Coupe out of storage and took it for a ride when the weather was nice outside. He's in college and his car doesn't get driven much so I thought I'd stretch her legs. 350 ci / 350 horse, factory air, PS, PB. Battery is going on 3-years old. It is not plugged in as there is no outlet in the storage unit. I could, maybe I should, pull the battery out and bring it home and put in on a Battery Tender to keep it fully charged.

Did not go very far. Was out about 40 minutes, stopped to top off the tank, then put it back in the storage unit. While driving did not notice anything unusual. AMP gauge read 0 or just below 0 the entire time out. Started up fine cold. Let it warm up good before going for the drive. Ran fine when it warmed up.

When I went into the battery compartment behind the driver seat to throw the battery disconnect, the battery was really hot to the touch. Hot enough that it was uncomfortable to leave your hand on the side of the battery. And, I got a whiff of that "hot, plastic, wiring" smell while I was driving but couldn't figure out what it was. Dismissed the smell as car has been sitting a lot.

Concerned - could use some help. I'm sure I've a problem. Seems pretty dangerous to drive with a battery this hot. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

Kevin

 

I had a similar problem with my 63 vette rod, After sitting in my barn for a week or so, I tried to crank the car and it was dead. Battery gauge showed 7volts, other gauges worked ok. I put a charger on the battery (Gel Cell red top Optima) and sparks flew everywhere, needless to say the negative wire got hot quick. Removed the battery and brought it to Advanced to have it tested. Bad batttery, poles were reversed. Battery was 1 1/2 years old.

I think if I were you I would have the battery tested be a professional. You had a good idea with bringing the battery home with you and putting it on a battery tender, if it is not going to be driven for a long period of time. JMO

Wonder why my battery reversed polority sitting for a week or so. Optima batteries do weird things, ever since I bought the battery i have had problems. I was advisied that if you use Gel Cell batteries the car should be driven regularity, or you are subject to problems.

Keep us posted on what you find.
Regards,
George

 

Could be a bad battery, internally shorted or alt overcharging. Does it have a mechanical regulator? Points stuck maybe?

 

Had what sounds like the same problem with my Dad's '71 after we started it for the first time in a couple of years.

Turned out to be a bad regulator in the alternator, however we never noticed the Amp gauge to see if it was showing an overcharge.

 

I agree...sounds like it's getting a hot charge via bad regulator.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions, all valid: bad battery, bad regulator, points.

I pulled the battery out today and brought it home. Put it on one of my Battery Tender Juniors.

Popped the cell covers and all of the cells were very, very low on distilled water so I went ahead and top off all 6 cells. That certainly would not help the overheating issue. Seems to be charging fine. It is already 80% of fully charged and it has only been on the Battery Tender Junior for about 20 minutes.

Also good idea to have the battery tested, which I will do now that the battery out of the car. Thanks for all the help guys.

Kevin