Bubbling Battery

clix22 · 17th March 2010, 15:21

Hi all,
I need some help and advice.
The problem : I have a Jan 2006, Indica turbo. 36000 km done. The problem is that the air-con blower goes into 'turbo' blow mode in random spurts, the bulbs fuse in 30 to 45 days, and there are bubbles around the battery, also corrosion marks around the battery area caused due to spraying electrolyte from the battery.
I though it was the alternator playing up, But both Lucas and tata service have ruled it out and said the alternator is fine. Full load charging is 14 approx, but rock steady. The electrolyte level was checked and reduced to half, (not that it was over filled) yet the battery bubbles.
Where could the problem be? and what could it be? The battery is OEM exide, I have 90/100 philips bulbs with minda relays and cutouts. Also I hear a high pitched whine once I switch off the engine, which dies down in a couple of seconds.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks and regards
Shiv

Jaggu · 17th March 2010, 15:32

Looks to me a case of battery getting overcharged, get the regulator function of alternator doubly checked for both voltage and current.

sgiitk · 17th March 2010, 15:52

Whatever the fellows may say, but the problem is definitely overcharging as has been rightly pointed out. Check out the wiring as well, esp. for a bad ground.

Sutripta · 17th March 2010, 21:58

Hi,
Strange. I just replied in another thread on a similar issue.

You have an intermittent overcharging issue. Check all connections, esp alternator/ voltage regulator grounds. If all OK, replace the voltage regulator.

I thought this problem had been sorted out.

Regards
Sutripta

gomzi · 18th March 2010, 17:47

Strange, I had a similar problem in my Indigo Tdi a few days ago. It was coupled with problems like yours, ac and lights behaving intermittently and battery fluid spilling out.

Took it to a local mechanic and he diagnosed it to be a problem with the alternator cutoff. That was replaced and the car has been working fine for the last couple of days.

drpullockaran · 18th March 2010, 22:28

I faced a similar problem in my Junkindica due to the use of 130/90 Philips rallye bulbs. The soldering pertaining to the voltage regulator came loose or rather dried out resulting in intermittent high voltage and consequent high amperage. Disassemble the alternator and ask the electronics guy to check for dry solder joints. Look up the net for dry solder joints and you will get my point.

17th March 2010, 15:21	#1
clix22 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: bombay Posts: 95 Thanked: 224 Times	Bubbling Battery Hi all, I need some help and advice. The problem : I have a Jan 2006, Indica turbo. 36000 km done. The problem is that the air-con blower goes into 'turbo' blow mode in random spurts, the bulbs fuse in 30 to 45 days, and there are bubbles around the battery, also corrosion marks around the battery area caused due to spraying electrolyte from the battery. I though it was the alternator playing up, But both Lucas and tata service have ruled it out and said the alternator is fine. Full load charging is 14 approx, but rock steady. The electrolyte level was checked and reduced to half, (not that it was over filled) yet the battery bubbles. Where could the problem be? and what could it be? The battery is OEM exide, I have 90/100 philips bulbs with minda relays and cutouts. Also I hear a high pitched whine once I switch off the engine, which dies down in a couple of seconds. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks and regards Shiv
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 15:32	#2
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Looks to me a case of battery getting overcharged, get the regulator function of alternator doubly checked for both voltage and current.
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 15:52	#3
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Whatever the fellows may say, but the problem is definitely overcharging as has been rightly pointed out. Check out the wiring as well, esp. for a bad ground.
	() Thanks

17th March 2010, 21:58	#4
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,668 Thanked: 6,217 Times	Hi, Strange. I just replied in another thread on a similar issue. You have an intermittent overcharging issue. Check all connections, esp alternator/ voltage regulator grounds. If all OK, replace the voltage regulator. I thought this problem had been sorted out. Regards Sutripta
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 17:47	#5
gomzi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 798 Thanked: 236 Times	Strange, I had a similar problem in my Indigo Tdi a few days ago. It was coupled with problems like yours, ac and lights behaving intermittently and battery fluid spilling out. Took it to a local mechanic and he diagnosed it to be a problem with the alternator cutoff. That was replaced and the car has been working fine for the last couple of days.
	() Thanks

18th March 2010, 22:28	#6
drpullockaran BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ERNAKULAM Posts: 962 Thanked: 385 Times	Check the soldering. I faced a similar problem in my Junkindica due to the use of 130/90 Philips rallye bulbs. The soldering pertaining to the voltage regulator came loose or rather dried out resulting in intermittent high voltage and consequent high amperage. Disassemble the alternator and ask the electronics guy to check for dry solder joints. Look up the net for dry solder joints and you will get my point.
	() Thanks