Exploding Battery

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May 27, 2003 | 10:07 AM

ManhaTTan Beach TT

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Exploding Battery

After driving up to the Bay Area from LA on Friday afternoon and then driving all day Saturday with no problems my 2000 TT would not start on Sunday morning. It sounded like the battery was to blame, although I had not left any lights, radio, phone charger or anything that would serve as a drain on the battery. I managed to get my buddies to push the car and I popped the clutch to get it started. I then drove it about 100 miles with no problems. When I got to my destination and turned the car off I noticed that it sounded strange (just sort of died as opposed to the sounds when I normally turn it off). I waited about 5 seconds to see if it would start again, turned the key and heard and felt a loud explosion. Smoke came out of the hood and eventually I was able to get to the battery and it was completely exploded. Fluid leaking from the bottom and all over the engine. I am having it towed today but wondered if anyone knew how this could happen. Why it happened? And if it has happened to anyone else?

May 27, 2003 | 10:40 AM

msauve

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Re: Exploding Battery

"The two types of battery explosions are external and internal. Recharging a wet lead-acid battery produces hydrogen and oxygen gasses. While spark retarding vent caps help prevent external battery explosions, sparks occur when jumping, connecting or disconnecting charger, or battery cables and ignite the gas. Internal explosions usually occur while starting the engine and normally blow the filler caps or cover off and splatter electrolyte all over the engine compartment. The most probable cause is from a combination of low electrolyte levels in the battery and a low resistance bridge formed between or across the top of the plates called "treeing" between a positive and negative plate. When heavy current flows in the battery such as starting an engine, a spark occurs and ignites the residual gas in one or more of the cells. A second possible cause is a defect in the weld of one of the plate connecting straps."

-<ul><li><a href="http://uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq14.htm">Car battery FAQ</a></li></ul>

May 27, 2003 | 10:44 AM

JustJeff

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Happened to the wife's A4 last year, other TT's have reported this also.

Vent tube was blocked.

<img src="http://uh.clem.home.attbi.com/images/battery1.jpg">

<img src="http://uh.clem.home.attbi.com/images/battery2.jpg">

Make sure they clean it up with a netralizing agent, like baking soda, or you are gonna have real problems.

May 27, 2003 | 10:55 AM

JustJeff

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If you still have the car, get a few boxes of baking soda, and cover the area with it, wash it down.

May 27, 2003 | 11:20 AM

SXSMITH

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It's all those electrical mods you do!

May 27, 2003 | 11:54 AM

ZesTTee

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I had one explode in my face. No damage to the face (thank gawd). <bloooommm>

May 27, 2003 | 02:06 PM

ManhaTTan Beach TT

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Re: Happened to the wife's A4 last year, other TT's have reported this also.

Thanks for the responses. The pictures submitted by Jeff Bipes look exactly like my battery and no I have not done any electrical mods. I had to leave my car up there and did try to flush it out a bit with some water, but did not do the baking soda. Going to the dealer in San Jose tomorrow so I hope I am not risking any major damage from corrosion, etc. I am not under warranty, but given other reports of similar problems..any chance Audi pays for this???