How Do You Troubleshoot An Overheating Car Battery?
An overheating battery can present an extremely hazardous situation for anyone near the vehicle, as well as the vehicle itself. If an alternator’s voltage regulator is beginning to fail, or has failed, the alternator can begin to send too much voltage back to the battery, which in turn causes the battery to overheat. Once the battery overheats the electrolyte solution inside boils and ultimately the battery can explode sending battery acid in all directions. If you smell rotten eggs, notice your battery is swelling, or see steam coming out of it, your battery might be overheating. Step 1 Turn the engine off immediately if you suspect the battery is overheating. Step 2 Wait for the vehicle to cool down. Letting it sit overnight is best to ensure everything has cooled off completely. Step 3 Put on your glasses and gloves, then open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable with the battery cable wrench. Step 4 Skip to Step 6 if your battery is maintenance-free. If it is, you may
