What did I do?

[MarkEkberg]

2003 on the operating table here.

Had to buy new batteries cause a friend who borrowed truck left ignition on, killed batteries and then they froze.

Finally got them. Got installed correctly. I know it is a question someone will ask. Started and let run for a half hour or so. I go out, hop in truck and smell something burning. I see the volt meter low. I shut it down, hop out and see smoke rolling out of the pass side battery. You could hear it boiling inside the battery.

Got it undone quickly. It was so hot the posts were making the plastic fail when I was wiggling them off.

What happened? Battery labeled wrong? No sparking when I did one side to the other.

Just to make sure. The small wires on the pass side go to which terminal? I put them on the positive side.

 

[MarkEkberg]

Well, I figured out what I did. Now the question is what other damage did I do?

I forgot to reattach the cross over wire to the drivers side battery. I had folded it back on itself and it was on the aluminum valve cover.

So, problem 1, I assume the computer was telling the alt to charge cause the computer was not seeing the voltage. That should be corrected when I reattach the cross over wire.

Problem 2, I cooked this new battery to the point of failure I am sure, so off to the parts house for another tomorrow.

What are the odds I toasted the alternator? It was not hot when I removed the battery.

 

[AH64ID]

The alternator is likely fine. I’d replace that battery and you should be good.

 

[petersonj]

Started and let run for a half hour or so. I go out, hop in truck and smell something burning. I see the volt meter low.

This is hindsight, I know. Anytime I do something fairly major like replacing batteries which calls for a lot of disconnected wires, I will have a voltmeter on hand and I will check battery voltage at each battery after starting the engine. I will probable do this two or three times over the next few minutes to be sure battery voltage is where it should be. In your case, the excessively high voltage would have shown up immediately.

And, of course, the only reason I perform this extra step is because I have been in similar situations as yours over the years and I have learned from those experiences.

Glad you got it figured out.

- John

 

[MarkEkberg]

Agreed on the volt meter. Normally do this, but I knew these trucks take a while to activate the alt. It was cold and I was rushing so I went inside for a bit.

Got a new battery yesterday. but it didn't get above 10 degrees so it can wait another few days until it warms up a bit. I am chocking this up to a bonehead mistake.

 

[mwilson]

One of the biggest game changers for me were smart phones that take pictures...once I got my head wrapped around it I now take plenty of "Before" pictures....has saved me several times especially if I am working on something unfamiliar and get interrupted several times during the process...

 

[petersonj]

I am chocking this up to a bonehead mistake.

Sometimes I have "above average" experience in this area.

Let us know if everything is working all right when you get done.

- John

 

[MarkEkberg]

Warmed up a bit and got everything together with a new battery. All seems good.

 

[seafish]

One of the biggest game changers for me were smart phones that take pictures...once I got my head wrapped around it I now take plenty of "Before" pictures....has saved me several times especially if I am working on something unfamiliar and get interrupted several times during the process...

Plus if you forgot your reading glasses at the house you can use your phone to take a picture (of the instructions or label or whatever else you need to read to finish the repair job) and then supersize the pic so you don’t have to run back and get your glasses….if you can even remember where you left them last!!!!