smoking battery cable

[BunkyScott]

I had tried to start my 240 after a few weeks in below freezing temperatures. When cranking it over, (it took some time to start) I noticed that there was a little bit of smoke coming from the battery area. It stopped quickly and the car started. I did a quick visual check and didn't see any problem.

The car idled for a while and I then took it out for a quick drive around the area. When I got back, parked in the garage and turned it off. I looked again at the battery and noticed that the top of the battery had water on it. Not a lot, but a few sprinkles. As I inspected closer, I heard a sizzling sound and the side of the battery had expanded on the negative terminal side.

I pulled off the positive cable, then the negative (which was fairly hot) and put the battery on the ground.

Any thoughts?

As always, thanks for the help.

Bill

[MikeW]

As I inspected closer, I heard a sizzling sound and the side of the battery had expanded on the negative terminal side.

I pulled off the positive cable, then the negative (which was fairly hot) and put the battery on the ground.

Any thoughts?

It's possible that a bad voltage regulator is causing the battery to be overcharged (too high a voltage). You could put a meter across the battery while the car is running to measure the voltage. It could be that the battery itself is bad - or has already been damaged - so I don't know that I'd even want to try it with the current battery. You might consider just taking it somewhere that sells batteries. They can diagnose the one you've got as well as the whole charging system.

[Mr Camouflage]

wow, lucky. I've heard of batteries exploding. Sounds like the batteries toast. Is it the type of battery that you can check water levels in? have you ever checked the levels in the battery?

Maybe it froze and damaged the cells causing an internal short.

Take it to a battery place and get it tested.

[e_racer1999]

.....Maybe it froze and damaged the cells causing an internal short.

Take it to a battery place and get it tested.

that's what i'm thinking...

[BunkyScott]

I bought the battery about a month and a half ago, so I never checked the water levels.

Never heard of battery water freezing.

I'm going to bring it back to R&S Strauss and have them check the charging system and the battery.

Thanks for the replies