current emergency - battery exploded

[KenJ]

I tried finding the e-cable (removed all the right side covers), but don't see it. Have been unwilling to do jumper battery technique to open hood because of fear of further damage. Now, I'm ready to try it regardless.

Any electrical techs here?... will I cause even more damage if I try to hook up alternate battery. I'm sure there's battery acid eating away the front trunk as I speak.

thanks,

kj

[grover]

At this point, there's nothing you can do but jump the trunk open, and deal with the damage after that. Stand by with a fire extinguisher and baking soda. If it really did explode, then there's nothing left in the battery to carry current, and it will be unaffected.

Edited September 2, 2008 by grover

[juniinc]

try to locate the front latch cable in your left fender.

[KenJ]

tried left fender - no joy. tried tow hook area - nada. About ready to do the alternate battery proceedure.

thanks,

kj

[juniinc]

left fender cable is easy to locate? it is not that thik.

scew driver trick at the pulling lever,,,

[grover]

What year is this car? 01-04 doesn't have a manual bowden cable, just the electric release.

[Loren]

On US cars ALL have an emergency release under the right front wheel well.

This has been covered here many many times.

[KenJ]

Used separate battery to open hood. Found that the battery's plastic lid was cracked all over, but seems to have contained the damage to the area below. The battery was shattered. Pieces everywhere. I carefully pulled the battery out and started dumping baking soda on the areas that had collected the most acid - several pockets. The battery tray had contained a great deal and it foamed up with the soda for over 5 minutes.

I can't tell if any damage to all the wiring in there. I ended up sprinkling the area with soda and found many areas that had droplets attached.

Now - why? I have had a Porsche cigarette lighter maintainer for several years. I use it all the time. The battery was original and almost 6 years old. I tried getting a new one recently at Costco, but they didn't have any group 10s, so I thought I'd wait until they did.

Just wondering if my maintainer isn't working properly and 'overcharged' the battery? Can that happen? - overcharge = explosion?

thanks,

kj

[juniinc]

Yes, your maintainer isn't working properly and 'overcharged' the battery,,,

Any lead-acid battery system when overcharged will produce hydrogen gas. If the rate of overcharge is small, the vents of each cell allow the dissipation of the gas. However, on severe overcharge or if ventilation is inadequate or the battery is faulty, a flammable concentration of hydrogen may remain in the cell or in the battery enclosure. Any spark can cause a hydrogen and oxygen explosion.

Used separate battery to open hood. Found that the battery's plastic lid was cracked all over, but seems to have contained the damage to the area below. The battery was shattered. Pieces everywhere. I carefully pulled the battery out and started dumping baking soda on the areas that had collected the most acid - several pockets. The battery tray had contained a great deal and it foamed up with the soda for over 5 minutes.

I can't tell if any damage to all the wiring in there. I ended up sprinkling the area with soda and found many areas that had droplets attached.

Now - why? I have had a Porsche cigarette lighter maintainer for several years. I use it all the time. The battery was original and almost 6 years old. I tried getting a new one recently at Costco, but they didn't have any group 10s, so I thought I'd wait until they did.

Just wondering if my maintainer isn't working properly and 'overcharged' the battery? Can that happen? - overcharge = explosion?

thanks,

kj

[KenJ]

I know it's not the same, but I feel a little like.... "Houston, we have a problem"

thanks,

kj

[JP Rodkey]

I know it's not the same, but I feel a little like.... "Houston, we have a problem"

thanks,

kj

Suggest taking a spray bottle and mixing water with baking soda......spray all the metal parts in the area, on the hood - everywhere. The gases from the battery will cause corrosion over time. The mixture won't hurt anything and you can then wash down with a hose sprayer. You won't regret it.