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derf
07-24-2010, 07:04 PM
My truck was had to start today, and the battery had been in it for almost 4 years so I drove it to the store, and bought a new battery. The old one had expanded and the sides were buldging at least 1/2 inch on each side.

What would cause that? Other than age?
Rangerscott
07-24-2010, 07:07 PM
Over charging. Thats dangeroos.
Captain Morgan
07-24-2010, 07:14 PM
Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

Beat me to it. Have your alternator tested. Parts stores like Autozone will test it for free, you just need to take it off the truck and take it into the store.
Rangerscott
07-24-2010, 07:17 PM
Also need to see if the voltage regulator is in the alt or seperate.
derf
07-24-2010, 07:31 PM
Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

No I thought of that, its charging between 13.5 and 14.5 while driving
tallywacker
07-24-2010, 08:42 PM
No I thought of that, its charging between 13.5 and 14.5 while driving

Trusting the factory gauge = fail. Your battery was slowly melting so its most likely the problem. Unless your using an aftermarket gauge in there while driving the only proper reading your going to get is by using a multimeter and revving the engine.
derf
07-24-2010, 09:37 PM
Trusting the factory gauge = fail. Your battery was slowly melting so its most likely the problem. Unless your using an aftermarket gauge in there while driving the only proper reading your going to get is by using a multimeter and revving the engine.

multimeter
tallywacker
07-24-2010, 10:07 PM
multimeter

Good deal
derf
07-24-2010, 10:15 PM
could todays temperatures (105) been the culprit?
101lifts2
07-25-2010, 12:22 AM
Normally that is sign that the a battery was frozen, but I think I've seen an overcharging condition cause this as well.

When did this occur? Is it possible that this was like this during the winter and you just noticed it now?
thirdgenlxi
07-25-2010, 01:17 AM
When batteries short internally they'll expand like that too. Often times they'll blow up not too long after. Had that happen in a truck a few months ago.... it went kaboom soon as the truck started up and it started charging (I told the guy he needed a battery and he declined.... oh well!)
derf
07-25-2010, 01:17 AM
Normally that is sign that the a battery was frozen, but I think I've seen an overcharging condition cause this as well.

When did this occur? Is it possible that this was like this during the winter and you just noticed it now?

Totally possible. The battery is under a cover, and in the 4 years Ive had my truck I never looked at the battery, it always worked fine so I left it. The battery felt weak when I tried to start it which is what prompted me to get a new one.