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Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

posted by  yona on  Thu Mar 16 12:07 CST 2006
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last visit: Mon Oct 8 20:50 CST 2012
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Hi all:

Last weekend, after a 40 mile drive on the highway and at the first stoplight, I smelled sulfur coming out of the vents. I stopped the car, opened the hood and saw the battery venting steam like a kettle on the stove. I believe the battery must have been overcharged with the likely culprit being the voltage regulator. Is this the end of the battery or can it be revived with the addition of electrolyte? Is it possible/difficult to change the voltage regulator for a level 4 DIYer like me?

yt855
1994 855 non-turbo 5spd @ 110k








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    Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

    posted by  yona on  Thu Mar 16 12:13 CST 2006
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    last visit: Mon Oct 8 20:50 CST 2012
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    OOPS! I just found searching the AWD site that Yuri has done this before. http://brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=877699

    Still, if you have more info, that is welcome.

    yt855







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      Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

      posted by  KlausC on  Thu Mar 16 14:54 CST 2006
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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      You WILL need to get a new battery. And a voltage regulator.

      Klaus
      --
      (V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)








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        Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

        posted by  yona on  Sun Mar 19 08:59 CST 2006
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        last visit: Mon Oct 8 20:50 CST 2012
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        Thanks KlausC for the prompt response.

        So I started my car the other day and measured 19.8Volts across the battery even after a minute of operation!! Which is pretty high. Hope it hasn't cooked other electronics, is my prayer now. Anyways, I just bought a new interstate m47 battery and am awaiting the bosch voltage regulator, p/n 1 197 311 234. I got it for $67 plus s/h from an online volvo parts store. Volvo dealer quoted me 160.00 for the same regulator and it wasn't even in stock!!

        Quick question: while trying to extract the defective regulator, I saw that the wire/connector from the temp sensor at the base of the thermostat was dangling freely over the alternator. Can anyone tell me where it is secured at to the chasis? It has a metal clip with a hole for bolting to the chasis somwhere. Thanks.

        yt855
        1994 v855 5spd, na, 110k








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          Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

          posted by  KlausC on  Sun Mar 19 14:23 CST 2006
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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          The temp sensor wires have a connector on the side of the power steering fluid reservior. The wires then follow the red wire from the altenator to the starter area. If your 850 is like mine (the V70 is better) tape the two wires together, making a cover, from the PS reservior down to the alt wire. This will keep the temp sensor wires from being exposed to the elements and hopefully last longer.

          Klaus
          --
          (V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)








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            Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

            posted by  yona on  Fri Mar 24 00:23 CST 2006
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            last visit: Mon Oct 8 20:50 CST 2012
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            Last question on this issue:

            So I swapped out the voltage regulator and the battery with new replacements and started the car. I was monitoring the battery voltage for about 5 minutes. Engine off the voltage was 12.8V. At 2000rpm and above, the voltmeter was reading a constant 16.7V, the same even with all electrical loads switched on. Is this still high? Could the problem be with the alternator? I checked the voltage on my other car (merc 300 turbodiesel with similar alternator) and it was 16.03V at 2000 rpm.

            yt855
            1994 855 5 spd na at 110k








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              Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

              posted by  Erik A on  Fri Mar 24 03:00 CST 2006
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              last visit: Mon Aug 31 10:16 CST 2009
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              It might be your voltmeter that is somewhat overoptimistic or just confused by the ripple voltage. Normal charging voltage should be quite close to 14.4V on a healthy car, engine off just below 12.0V







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                Battery electrolyte boiled out... 850

                posted by  yona on  Thu Mar 30 07:15 CST 2006
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                last visit: Mon Oct 8 20:50 CST 2012
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                Thanks Erik A:

                You guessed right! The 9V battery inside my digital voltmeter was itself 4.4V so that the equipment was having errors, off by 20-25%. Anyways, now my car's battery voltage is 14.4V and constant even when I vary engine rpm. The voltage regulator is performing its job.

                And thanks all for your support and inputs.

                yt855
                1994 V855 na 5spd @ ~196kmiles







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