ABS, SUB TANK, AIRBAGS & ALTERNATOR lights flickering - BATTERY explosion - ZD30DI

[Deon Kruger]

Hi guys / girls,

Yesterday I had ABS, SUB TANK, AIRBAGS & ALTERNATOR lights flickering followed by my main BATTERY exploding. Acid all over the place.

Any ideas, except for "why did you not immediately stop and investigate...."

I have been battling with overheating. All the normal stuff has been checked and replaced. Now the head is to be removed tomorrow. Could the overheating have affected the alternator?

Why else could the battery have exploded?

[Bigrig]

Where are you based mate?? I'd be guessing this is not one for the "DIY" list and needs someone specialist to look it over!!

[Deon Kruger]

Hi Bigrig,

I am based in the Northern Province, South Africa.

Luckily i have a trained diesel mech that looks after my vehicle when my knowledge fails me. I like to double check though and he doesn't mind me giving my input. Like to get my own hands dirty though. This motor is a bit tricky though...

This exploding battery is just the cherry on the cake though.

[YNOT]

My guess is the exploding battery probably had something to do with a massively over charging alternator and a battery that had low electrolyte. When the electrolyte (acid) level gets below the top of the plates you can get sparking between the plates, mix those sparks with the hydrogen given off by a battery being charged and you have all the ingredients for a very messy explosion.

I doubt the overheating had anything to do with it going on the information in the first post.

Tony

[Deon Kruger]

Does an alternator overcharge due to a faulty regulator sticking or can there by other reasons?

[YNOT]

Does an alternator overcharge due to a faulty regulator sticking or can there by other reasons?

I'm not an auto electrician but I think a regulator would be the most likely cause.

Tony

[Yendor]

You sure have been having a bad run with your rig of late.

I would say you have a problem with your alternator regulator.

While the head is off I would also remove the alternator and have it tested.

On the vehicle I would also check the battery sense wire at the alternator, this is the yellow with a red trace wire. (I have seen the wires break at the connector before).

It should have a battery feed, this is how the alternator knows what charge the battery is at.

If it doesn't have a battery feed, check the fuse in the fusebox under the bonnet.

Also make sure the earth wire is connected at the bottom of the alternator.

Cheers Rodney

[Deon Kruger]

Yendor,

Can I make a list of the bad luck.

1.) Had to replace the intercooler and the crank sensor
2.) Injector pump seized
3.) Had to split the gearbox and motor in order to get to the sump in order to get to the cover at the front of the motor. Guys that redid the motor never aligned three sprockets - long story
4.) Bosch that replaced the injector pump never connected the vacuum hoses so the turbo did not kick in, took three visit to Bosch and two to Nissan and one to an auto electrician to sort out.
5.) Constant overheating. Went back three times to sort out overheating, now apparently it is the head gasket.

All in three months.

Anyway, it is MY Patrol. It does not have a mother our father, only me - and I am the owner. I will fix her and Patrol on.

Cheers, thanks again for the assistance!

Deon

[Yendor]

Wow thats some list.

I hope it gets sorted for you.

[Bigrig]

Have you ever lived in Australia mate?? I know a Deon Kruger (from south Africa) in Australia!!!! I'm sure it's a common name ... Hope you get it sorted!!