strange battery issue

[timelessconstructionllc]

last night i drove about 30 miles round trip. upon getting home it looked like like engine was steaming out from under the passenger side of the hood. when i popped the hood i found the vent cover blown off the passenger side battery and acid steam going everywhere. i bought two new batteries about a year ago at interstate. about 6 months ago i replaced the drivers side battery bc it had gone bad and gassed my tipm to the point i had to replace half the wiring in it. now the passenger side battery is doing this. does anybody have any idea what could be causing this and or what i can do about it.

 

[AH64ID]

I would guess that the crossover cable is loose or bad.

The ECM supplies amps thru a temp sensor in the driver side, but power goes from the alt to the pass side then to the drivers side. A failing crossover cable can do what your describing.

 

[LNaugle]

AH64ID is exactly right... .

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

Replaced just now with 2/0 welding lead. Thanks guys.

So what as try the odds that it ruined my battery. And while we are on the subject . What would be the best way to go about hooking up a deep cycle marine battery in the bed? In series off the drivers side battery?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Sorry but I can't visualize how the crossover cable could cause that. My guess would be you got two batteries that were not very dependable from the start and they both at different times shorted internally. bg

 

[LNaugle]

The cable will corrode and increase resistence and the sensor bases specific gravity of battery on what sensor says... alternator is regulated through the ecm. seems to cook batteries. had happen on 06 dodge of customers... he went through 3 batteries before he came to my shop. maybe was coincidence? As far as running a marine battery in the bed you need to look at battery isolator systems because marine batteries do not like to charge at same rate as conventional batteries.

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

bg, they're right, i've heard of this before. it's because the sensor is reading that the battery isn't getting a charge (becuase of the bad crossover cable) therefore the alt keeps pumping juice to the first battery wide open which causes it to overheat.

 

[Road Dog]

The battery is overcharging because the vehicle voltage is too high. The charging voltage is determined by measuring the battery temperature. When the battery is fully charged the excess energy is converted to heat and the battery gets warmer. The ECM then decreases the voltage to a tickle charge level.

 

[TCDiesel]

last night i drove about 30 miles round trip. upon getting home it looked like like engine was steaming out from under the passenger side of the hood. when i popped the hood i found the vent cover blown off the passenger side battery and acid steam going everywhere. i bought two new batteries about a year ago at interstate. about 6 months ago i replaced the drivers side battery bc it had gone bad and gassed my tipm to the point i had to replace half the wiring in it. now the passenger side battery is doing this. does anybody have any idea what could be causing this and or what i can do about it.

I mention this would happen a few threads back (You Posted) If you continue with the social Network info you may burn down your Truck... . "its an easy fix", add cables or batteries will just trigger a 2509 and You DON'T want this. . You know my #s Call for the fix.

 

[Bob4x4]

I mention this would happen a few threads back (You Posted) If you continue with the social Network info you may burn down your Truck... . "its an easy fix", add cables or batteries will just trigger a 2509 and You DON'T want this. . You know my #s Call for the fix.

Not sure I understand your reply??clean cables and new batteries will not trip 2509 and or burn down truck... ... .....

 

[B.G. Smith]

I mention this would happen a few threads back (You Posted) If you continue with the social Network info you may burn down your Truck... . "its an easy fix", add cables or batteries will just trigger a 2509 and You DON'T want this. . You know my #s Call for the fix.

The alternator charge wire goes directly to the PDC, both batteries are tied into the PDC, the voltage sensing wire to hte PCM comes from the PDC. The PCM controls the alternator out put to the batteries via the PDC, not to individual batteries. The truck/alternator should run and perform fine with either battery removed other than the fact that there is a temp. sensor under the drivers side battery and I'm not sure exactly what it does but it's main function is not to control battery voltage. The PCM/alternator has no inkling of waht the specific gravity of the batteries is, it controls max. voltage, somewhere around 14. 8 to 15. 3 volts depending on the temperature of the batteries. I realize that you are in business to make a living and I respect that very much. Any explanation would be appreciated. bg

 

[AH64ID]

The temp sensor is largely involved in battery voltage regulation. On a hot day the system is in the low 14 volt range, on a cold day it's in the high 14's. The higher the voltage the more charge is being put into the batteries.

This is generally a good way to regulate charge; however, I would like to see the voltage drop after a period of time, like 90 minutes, to a float voltage of 13. 4 or so. My 07 Tacoma did this and I really liked it.

From the 2006 Service Manual.

SENSOR-BATTERY TEMPERATURE
DESCRIPTION
The Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) is attached to the battery tray located under the battery.
OPERATION
The BTS is used to determine the battery temperature and control battery charging rate. This temperature data,
along with data from monitored line voltage, is used by the PCM (ECM Diesel) to vary the battery charging rate.
System voltage will be higher at colder temperatures and is gradually reduced at warmer temperatures.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR
DESCRIPTION
The Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR) is not a separate component. It is actually a voltage regulating circuit
located within the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) (within the ECM for diesel engines). The EVR is not serviced
separately. If replacement is necessary, the PCM must be replaced.
OPERATION
The amount of direct current produced by the generator is controlled by EVR circuitry contained within the PCM.
This circuitry is connected in series with the generators second rotor field terminal and its ground.
Voltage is regulated by cycling the ground path to control the strength of the rotor magnetic field. The EVR circuitry
monitors system line voltage (B+) and battery temperature (refer to Battery Temperature Sensor for more information).
It then determines a target charging voltage. If sensed battery voltage is 0. 5 volts or lower than the target
voltage, the PCM grounds the field winding until sensed battery voltage is 0. 5 volts above target voltage. A circuit in
the PCM cycles the ground side of the generator field up to 100 times per second (100Hz), but has the capability
to ground the field control wire 100% of the time (full field) to achieve the target voltage. If the charging rate cannot
be monitored (limp-in), a duty cycle of 25% is used by the PCM in order to have some generator output. Also refer
to Charging System Operation for additional information.

 

[TCDiesel]

The alternator charge wire goes directly to the PDC, both batteries are tied into the PDC, the voltage sensing wire to hte PCM comes from the PDC. The PCM controls the alternator out put to the batteries via the PDC, not to individual batteries. The truck/alternator should run and perform fine with either battery removed other than the fact that there is a temp. sensor under the drivers side battery and I'm not sure exactly what it does but it's main function is not to control battery voltage. The PCM/alternator has no inkling of waht the specific gravity of the batteries is, it controls max. voltage, somewhere around 14. 8 to 15. 3 volts depending on the temperature of the batteries. I realize that you are in business to make a living and I respect that very much. Any explanation would be appreciated. bg

like most electronic on new vehicles they are complex and delicate. most systems today have backups , PCI or BUS and J1850 just to mention a few,once someone changes the balance its gets dangerous real fast. The PCI has NO idea whats going on when the system demands more charging due to Battery temp or draw when adding additional electronic just 1 or 2 poor connections can cause over charging,I am No expert on electronics. . I know just enough to be dangerous:-laf

 

[Bob4x4]

Pci is just another bus it is a line for comm only it has no control over anything



The Batt temp sensor is a minor input for charging control,disconnect it and the batt's will still be charged it is for fine tuning the system.

 

[AH64ID]

The Batt temp sensor is a minor input for charging control,disconnect it and the batt's will still be charged it is for fine tuning the system.

Based on what I watch with a voltmeter (other than the OEM dash which is not a true representation) it makes a decent difference, almost 1 full volt, which is more than fine tuning on a 12V system.

Not that it really matters, the important part is that it's hooked up and working. I am sure the ECM will go to a default voltage if disconnected, but it's there for a reason.

 

[Bob4x4]

PER Chrysler