Smoking battery, help! 1994 850 NA

jh_on_the_cape · Post by **jh_on_the_cape** » 07 Dec 2009, 08:28

Please help. I am at work and have the kids carseats for carpool!

Symptoms: Very cold morning (-2 C), coldest so far this year. Stereo was sort of popping initially, then worked fine after a mile or so. Windshield wipers were moving VERY fast (indicates high battery voltage?) when clearing the ice and later.
In case it matters, I ran the heater on '3' the whole way to school (15 minutes of 40 mph)
Then I had to drive about 30 minutes to work (60 mph highway). When I arrived I noticed some smoke from the hood, I looked at it was steam coming from the battery! The battery was very hot, with the stickers sort of melting.
I am super busy at work today, but I called my mechanic and he recommended against driving it because the battery could catch fire if it is overcharging or there is a short.
I do not have AAA. I have sorted out a backup to pick up the kids.

ABS light just came on before this all happened.

Do you think it's safe to drive 15 miles to a random mechanic near my home? 30 miles to my usual mechanic?

Would it help or hurt to use the lights, etc?

Anything I can do to help me limp home????

THANKS!! I use this site quite a bit (done my brakes and a few other things like service light) but this is my first post...

Car has 135k on it, it's a manual wagon.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Dec 2009, 08:40

Hmm...It sounds to me like the voltage regulator on your alternator has gone kaput and is seriously overcharging. Theoretically, fuses should blow before any damage is caused, but I wouldn't count on it. I wouldn't drive it, or you risk damaging the entire electrical system in the car. You'll want to test the voltage before you really drive anymore. The battery MIGHT be ok still, but I would not do any long trips. 15 minutes might be ok, but it's probably safer to have it towed before any real damage happens.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 07 Dec 2009, 09:01

Yea, be careful with that. Exploding battery = not a good day for you.

You should have it towed to a shop to take care of that.

jh_on_the_cape · Post by **jh_on_the_cape** » 08 Dec 2009, 06:41

ecbsykes wrote:Yea, be careful with that. Exploding battery = not a good day for you.

You should have it towed to a shop to take care of that.

Had it towed, wondering if it has to do with the ABS light coming on...

jh_on_the_cape · Post by **jh_on_the_cape** » 08 Dec 2009, 12:31

garage called, they say replace alternator, and need to replace battery.

550 to 600 parts and labor...

do you think replacing the alternator will actually fix the problem?

i looked up doing it myself, but the car is at the garage and i need it back quickly and do not have time now...

what do you think?

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Dec 2009, 12:38

550 to 600 parts and labor

I'd shoot myself in the foot.

I guess that's reasonable though, a new alternator is about $250 (they'll add on more), figure about $200 labor to put it in, and a good battery's about $50.

If they're telling you its the problem and they don't fix it, then they need to track down and correct the real problem for free.

It sounds like a bad voltage regulator (which is built into the alternator) to me though.

jh_on_the_cape · Post by **jh_on_the_cape** » 08 Dec 2009, 12:50

jablackburn wrote:
550 to 600 parts and labor
I'd shoot myself in the foot.

because you missed your nuts...

i was just about to splurge on an ipod touch too.... oh well, alternators are fun too

Post by **SilverS70** » 08 Dec 2009, 15:15

Maybe you can save a few dollars by buying the battery yourself?

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 09 Dec 2009, 10:37

Using my iTouch to look up repair costs using the RepairPal app it looks like that is about right for cost. To replace an alternator on your car in the Boston area will cost between $495 - $656. That's $277-$377 for parts and the rest labor. Add in the battery and your mechanic is in the low end of the range.

Sorry, couldn't resist the iTouch reference.

jh_on_the_cape · Post by **jh_on_the_cape** » 09 Dec 2009, 11:13

instarx wrote:Using my iTouch to look up repair costs using the RepairPal app it looks like that is about right for cost. To replace an alternator on your car in the Boston area will cost between $495 - $656. That's $277-$377 for parts and the rest labor. Add in the battery and your mechanic is in the low end of the range.

Sorry, couldn't resist the iTouch reference.

Do you think the iTouch is worth it?
I have an old ipod nano and use it alot for running, and in the car. podcasts, audiobooks and music.
I would like to listen to pandora and make skype calls and check email with wifi...
i would really like an iphone, but cannot justify the monthly cost.