Battery blew up??

[jedi]

My Vette has been sitting in the garage for two months. I've had it on a trickle charger. Today I went to start it and heard a weird fast clicking noise from inside the cockpit over near the fuse box. I checked all the fuses and all were still good. Then I went to check under the hood and found my battery positive post looks like it exploded. Anyone have any idea what might have happened? What might that clicking noise have been?

 

[John Robinson]

Another bad battery

In the last few years I have seen several batteries that have done this. For some reason the post are not staying in the battery. Nothing you did could have caused this to happen. As for the clicking sound that was the starter trying to engage but because of the post problem it did not have enough voltage to engage. When you replace the battery the starter should engage just fine. In case you do not know in order to change the battery you have to remove the side fender panel. So if you change the battery yourself just remove the bolt that holds the ECM in place and slide it forward and then lay it over the top of the engine out of the way. Next remove the three screws (they are torx heads)that hold the inner shield for the fender to the outer body piece on the side of the car. If you turn the wheel all the way to the left before you start to replace the battery you will have room to remove these screws. Next remove the 10MM bolt on the top of the body panel towards the door. On the bottom of that body panel is a a bolt that has to be loosened to be able to slip the panel off the bolt. I have found that a 10MM ratcheting box wrench will slide up in to the cavity where the bolt is and you can loosen it without any trouble. Now you can carefully remove the panel and disconnect the battery cables. I also have found that a long extension with a universal swivel and a 13MM socket can be fed from the top onto the bolt that holds down the battery. Remove it and lift the battery out. Let us know how this turns out for you.

 

[jedi]

Thanks John. One question though. I heard the clicking noise even before I put the key in the ignition so I am not sure the noise was coming from the starter.

 

[Rabbit]

Thanks John. One question though. I heard the clicking noise even before I put the key in the ignition so I am not sure the noise was coming from the starter.

It seems when batteries get low it causes relays to do funny things.

That's not exactly a great technical explanation, but mine did that when the battery was on it's last legs.

 

[John Robinson]

Don't Worry

As Rabbit said low voltage makes electrical switches do strange things. When you replace the battery the clicking should be gone never to be heard from again as long as you have a charged battery

 

[jedi]

Thanks guys, I will pick up a new battery once the ice clears and let you know. Hoping for warmer weather this weekend.

 

[jedi]

Ok so the high made it to 70 today and I was lucky enough to be working from home. I pulled everything apart and went to install the battery. Low and behold I can't remove the remains of the old post from the positive battery connector. It is fused to the red post connecter. There is some wierd orange powder on the back and it is flush with the connection. I can't turn the screw to save my life. Anyone got a suggestion? I would have to have to replace the whole positive connector. It goes in three different directions to places I am not sure I can reach.

 

[John Robinson]

Mix up some baking soda and water and pour it over the connection to neutralize the acid build up. Then get a pair of vise grips and get a hold of the back side of the terminal and try to remove the bolt from it. You might also try to soak the threads in a penetrating oil for a while after you clean off the dried up acid on the connection. If worse comes to worse you can replace just the cable connector check with your local parts store they can be a big help sometimes in solving problems like yours.

 

[LT4man]

Mix up some baking soda and water and pour it over the connection to neutralize the acid build up.

Or if a can of Coke is handy, that will do the same thing! No lie! But it has to be Coke, NOT Pepsi!

After watching Coke do its thing, you might not ever drink one again.

SAVE THE GOSH DARN !

 

[CorvetteArchives]

THAT is really weird!
That positive cable is a REAL PIA to replace since it weaves around transmission. I'd try what everyone suggested and if that failed I'd drill out the lead post or cut it off....Its VERY soft metal. You could use a dremel on the side near the battery where the now fused threads would have been connecting to battery.

The post itself is meant to be a replaceable item and can be removed from the red insulator/connector quite easily under normal circumstances. Good luck...once again that really is weird!