Boiling car battery ???

[ultravox]

Here's one that's got me stumped...maybe the mechanics here can solve this.
I tried to start my Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3l yesterday and the battery was dead. I got a boost and it started so I drove to the garage and had them check the battery and alternator. Both looked good...the alternator was charging and the battery, although 4 1/2 yrs old was holding the charge. There was battery acid spashed around the top of the battery and the mechanic said it looked like the alternator was over charging the battery but it seemed to be alright now. Today, it started no problems...i put about 300k on it and it always started. When I got home, I noticed a spot of liquid under the van and when I looked under the hood, the baterry was sort of boiling and spewing liquid from under the check caps. Now it appears by the really dim inside lights that the battery is losing it's charge and I know what to expect tommorrow morning.
When cars ran generators, you knew that the control box was on the fritz, but with these alternators, there is no control box. So is my battery gone south or is there a problem elsewhere?

 

[Evadman]

Overcharged. Bad alternator regulator. You will also need a new battery.

 

[Anubis]

boiling car battery

i thought you were talkin about boiling the battery acid to get pure sulfuric acid. woops
that does work tho

 

[ultravox]

Bad alternator regulator?

Is that part of the alternator or elsewhere? I know nothing of these new fangled machines?? Bring points and dwell and generators I'm at home!

Does this mean I have to change alternator AND battery !

 

[me4get]

If it's the regulator, It's not a cheap repair. The regulator on dodges are built into the engine management computer. If it's putting out more than 14.5 volts, something's wrong, also could be a wiring problem in the alternator circuit.