2013 Dodge Caravan Battery Blew Apart

[ed1948]

Asking for my brother in law. His 2013 van has 250K miles on it, battery was replaced 20K ago. Today during a warm restart the battery blew apart during start cycle - didn't even crank - turn the key - kabloom. What's the chance of the battery shorting out? How about the alternator going bad sending the wrong voltage - either reverse polarity or AC? He's waiting for the tow truck.

 

[Texas82GP]

Normally when a battery blows, the electrolyte level has gotten down below the plates, and there is a pocket of hydrogen gas in the void. When you hit the key, you get a spark across the plates and boom.

 

[pontiacgp]

Asking for my brother in law. His 2013 van has 250K miles on it, battery was replaced 20K ago. Today during a warm restart the battery blew apart during start cycle - didn't even crank - turn the key - kabloom. What's the chance of the battery shorting out? How about the alternator going bad sending the wrong voltage - either reverse polarity or AC? He's waiting for the tow truck.

is your brother-in-law and his wife getting along?....

 

[TURNA]

Simple answer................................Mopar

 

[ed1948]

is your brother-in-law and his wife getting along?....

He is Italian but not married anymore. A possible car bomb hit crossed his mind that instant.

 

[fleming442]

If the alternator regulator went all screwy/haywire, it could overcharge enough to boil the juice out. A byproduct of the boiling is Hydrogen gas, which can go kablooey. It doesn't happen often, but that's why there are 'No Smoking' stickers on car batteries.

 

[gmtofd]

Probably what was already mentioned about a low electrolyte level. Suppose it would not hurt to check out the alternator output for a overcharge condition.

Happened to my '87 GP during the drive to work. Started smelling battery acid, opened the hood, the top of the battery had blow off.

 

[Turbolq4]

Tried the ultimate hybrid. Battery powered/hydrogen fuel cell. In typical mopar fashion they tripped over the curb while shooting for the moon.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Simple answer................................Mopar

More like a cheap Chinese bomb. As said the alternator is probably overcharging or a defective, poorly made battery. Plus, if you own a Caravan you either have children or have given up on living a life worth living. Almost as bad as owning a Camaro....😏

 

[84dragcutlass]

But... but... i own a Camaro....