Loud BANG
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 54
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From: Marietta GA
Loud BANG
So I was driving my 69 the other day and heard a really loud bang. I could not tell if it was a backfire or what. The car continued to run without a problem so I continued to my destination. When I went back out to the car to go home it was dead as a door nail. I could also smell a "vinegar like odor" in the **** pit. At this point I realized my battery had exploded. Sure enough I opened the compartment and the top of the battery was blown out and there was battery acid sloshed everywhere. I was able to get it out and cleaned up the compartment and a friend took me to a part store and I got a new battery. Started right up. Noticed that the battery gauge was pegged way over to the right on 40. Obviously the voltage reg in the alternator is bad and overcharging killed the previous battery (generating hydrogen). Got the alternator out and realized it is not the original (72 vintage maybe) so I am on the lookout for the correct alternator (1100833) and build date. Not going to be cheap. Anyway, moral of the story is pay attention to your gauges! I am very lucky this did not end in a devastating car fire!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Is it possible that the battery in the interior wasn't originally perceived as a danger because the batteries were vented?
Is an exploding battery only possible with a 'sealed' battery?
Regards,
Alan
Is it possible that the battery in the interior wasn't originally perceived as a danger because the batteries were vented?
Is an exploding battery only possible with a 'sealed' battery?
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
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From: Hermosa
So I was driving my 69 the other day and heard a really loud bang. I could not tell if it was a backfire or what. The car continued to run without a problem so I continued to my destination. When I went back out to the car to go home it was dead as a door nail. I could also smell a "vinegar like odor" in the **** pit. At this point I realized my battery had exploded. Sure enough I opened the compartment and the top of the battery was blown out and there was battery acid sloshed everywhere. I was able to get it out and cleaned up the compartment and a friend took me to a part store and I got a new battery. Started right up. Noticed that the battery gauge was pegged way over to the right on 40. Obviously the voltage reg in the alternator is bad and overcharging killed the previous battery (generating hydrogen). Got the alternator out and realized it is not the original (72 vintage maybe) so I am on the lookout for the correct alternator (1100833) and build date. Not going to be cheap. Anyway, moral of the story is pay attention to your gauges! I am very lucky this did not end in a devastating car fire!!!
If so then where the two wires are ganged together one of them is a smaller gauge wire. That smaller gauge wire is responsible for telling the voltage regulator in your car how much power is needed from the alternator.
If that wire is not hooked up or broken your alternator will produce maximum power to the battery and your ammeter will reflect that.
So check that wire and it's connection.
Check the alternator with a voltmeter at the positive connection. should see something just over 14 volts. No need to replace an alternator that may be working as it should.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: Marietta GA
I'm guessing you have a three wire alternator?
If so then where the two wires are ganged together one of them is a smaller gauge wire. That smaller gauge wire is responsible for telling the voltage regulator in your car how much power is needed from the alternator.
If that wire is not hooked up or broken your alternator will produce maximum power to the battery and your ammeter will reflect that.
So check that wire and it's connection.
Check the alternator with a voltmeter at the positive connection. should see something just over 14 volts. No need to replace an alternator that may be working as it should.
If so then where the two wires are ganged together one of them is a smaller gauge wire. That smaller gauge wire is responsible for telling the voltage regulator in your car how much power is needed from the alternator.
If that wire is not hooked up or broken your alternator will produce maximum power to the battery and your ammeter will reflect that.
So check that wire and it's connection.
Check the alternator with a voltmeter at the positive connection. should see something just over 14 volts. No need to replace an alternator that may be working as it should.
I am having the unit tested and the shop I am working with can rebuild it easily enough but I really want to get the correct 1969 part number...
