I installed a new battery in my 2010 Dodge Caravan. One month later, the van does not start. Turns out there is a huge amount of corrosion built up. I get the battery checked out and the battery passes. I clean up the corrosion and the van starts - no problem. What would cause the huge amount of corrosion build up in a short amount of time and what can I do to prevent the build up?
It is possible the voltage regulator in your alternator is bad and constantly over charging the battery. Have your alternator output checked with a meter.
Good point, Doc. I once had a voltage regulator problem on a car where it had the alternator putting out over 17 volts.
Thanks, does/can over charging cause excessive corrosion build up?
Yes, the electrolyte in the battery will heat up and even boil, increasing hydrogen and acid emitted by the battery. In the old days you could easily see this by removing caps over the cells but in most modern batteries you can't do that.
You can easily check this with a voltmeter connected across the battery terminals. With the engine running the voltage should be in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
Coating the battery connections with wheel bearing grease or something similar will help prevent corrosion.
Please see this article -
https://no.co/blog/ultimate-guide-to-clean-and-remove-car-battery-corrosion
Great article and thx for the help.
Normally, it's hydrogen gas released from battery acid.
Where did you go for your battery replacement and what brand did you buy?
Duralast from AutoZone.
Return the battery back to AutoZone and get a different one. Whatever battery you bought, they must rebuilt it incorrectly because it should not have corrosion at this point. You should be covered under the warranty since you bought it not that long ago.
I did take it back. They checked it out and said the battery was good. What would make them take it back if it checked out?
Replace the battery and make sure the battery connections are tight and the connections are clean when you install them.
Battery corrosion like you described is imo just a sign of a bad quality battery. Its terminals have not been sealed properly at the factory, and some acid or acid fumes / vapors escape from the battery causing chemical corrosion.
