Ok so yesterday I'm driving home and I smell this strong sulfur smell about 2 miles from my house. I figure it's not far so I keep driving. I get home and pop the hood and my battery is steaming/smoking. So I take my other car and go get a new battery from Advance Auto. I get home and hook up the battery and it starts fine. I go drive around for about 15-20 minutes and everything seems fine. I get in the car this morning to go to work and nothing.

Where should I start?

 

A multi meter test the battery voltage. Clean both battery post and clamps with a terminal cleaner even if the look ok. make sure your connections are tight

 

Well I know these are a few issues with the car I've been thinking about that could contribute to this problem. The stereo wires in the trunk are open...if the positive and the ground somehow touched would this cause a battery drain? And the radio will cut in and out sometimes. I've only had the car on the road for about a week...bought it blown and swapped in a D16Y8. Car is a 1998 Honda Civic EX 5spd.

Could either of these be related to my problem?

 

might not be this, buts it worth a try. try checking the alternator. GL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VTecLude1994 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I know these are a few issues with the car I've been thinking about that could contribute to this problem. The stereo wires in the trunk are open...if the positive and the ground somehow touched would this cause a battery drain? And the radio will cut in and out sometimes. I've only had the car on the road for about a week...bought it blown and swapped in a D16Y8. Car is a 1998 Honda Civic EX 5spd.

Could either of these be related to my problem?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well here is a quick fix. disconnect all the radio equipment and check the battery voltage. If this fixes the problem then have the radio reinstalled buy someone that knows what they are doing.

 

Aight guys thanks for the help. I'll try all these things mentioned.

 

BATTERY VOLTAGE SHOULD BE AROUND 15V WHILE RUNNING- IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH VOLTAGE THE IT IS YOUR ALTERNATOR-
IF THATS OK CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR BATTERY IS STILL GOOD
HAVE SOMEONE CRANK THE ENGINE WITH THE VOLT METER HOOKED UP- IF IT DROPS BELOW 9 VOLTS YOUR BATTERY IS TOAST
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK FOR A DRAW- I CANT REMEMBER HOW TO DO THAT EXACTLY- ILL CHECK AND GET BACK 2 U

 

check for battery drain.... take an voltmeter turn it to read amps and pull out the + side of battery put it in series with battery and wires... see what your drain is.

 

EXACTLY START PULLING FUSES ONE BY ONE TO SEE WHICH SYSTEM IS THE DRAW

 

If those battery cables in the trunk touch...THAT IS A DEAD SHORT! and would definately fry your battery.
I would remove those first or at the very least tape up those ends!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by instructor74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well here is a quick fix. disconnect all the radio equipment and check the battery voltage. If this fixes the problem then have the radio reinstalled buy someone that knows what they are doing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cardr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If those battery cables in the trunk touch...THAT IS A DEAD SHORT! and would definately fry your battery.
I would remove those first or at the very least tape up those ends!


</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cardr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If those battery cables in the trunk touch...THAT IS A DEAD SHORT! and would definately fry your battery.
I would remove those first or at the very least tape up those ends!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not only each other, but if your positive lead touches bare chassis as well.

But you shouldn't get drain from that - isn't that power lead fused?!? Once it touches ground, it should blow, and you can look for your problem elsewhere...

PM

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PianoMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not only each other, but if your positive lead touches bare chassis as well.

But you shouldn't get drain from that - isn't that power lead fused?!? Once it touches ground, it should blow, and you can look for your problem elsewhere...

PM</TD></TR></TABLE>

Based on the description of the car when bought i would assume the asshat that wired the car most likely did not fuse it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16b-EJ8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Based on the description of the car when bought i would assume the asshat that wired the car most likely did not fuse it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL
my thoughts exactly

 

you may also want to check the alternator to make sure its not over charging that would cause battery smoking and smells also if the battery gets fried from overcharging it usually wont hold a charge even if it is brand new