After taking my jeep for a quick drive I smelt something weird. I opened my hood and noticed my battery had a bit of smoke coming out of the side and it was really hot. Could it just be a faulty battery? What would cause this to happen? Ive had the battery for just over 5 months now.

 

improper grounds not allowing the charge to travel through the battery like it is suppose to

 

And where would this ground be located?

 

on the battery / all over the engine bay. they main one is off the negative post on the battery...

 

Check your voltage at the battery with the engine running. If the voltage regulator isn't limiting input voltage to 15v or less, you need to replace it.

 

Could it be the alternator is charging my battery to much?

 

Yes that is what he was saying about the voltage regulator not limiting how much charge is going to the battery. Most voltage regulators are within the alternator itself BUT a lot of chrysler products like dodge dakotas are controlled by the PCM. If that is the case then you will need a new computer, or will have to take the computer out of the circuit and create your own regulator.

 

Ok then I'll go buy a volt meter and test it out. Thanks.

 

This happened to me, but not with my XJ. Same issues, though, batt burned up and boiled out the liquids.

 

So what fixed the problem? New alternator? Or battery?

 

New voltage regulator. But since the regulator is in tbe ECU you cant just replace it.

 

I just got home to check the battery and it reads 11.8. I'm to scared to try it in the jeep because one of the sides of the battery is bulging out. Doesn't seem over charged though.

 

The battery will read that when not running.. its when its running you have to check the voltage. Is the case cracked, or is a terminal broke? Where is it leaking from. (pics would help).

 

If the case looks bad don't put it in - a battery exploding in your face = frankenstein.