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Battery Replacement and Venting
Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:02 pm
by mike5631
Hello I am new here, I've searched the forum some to see if I can get my question
Answered. Didn't realize how big it is!
I have a 2005 Bonneville GXP with a dead
Battery, current battery is a red top Optima
AGM battery. After charging for 24hrs I am at 12.45V . Think it needs more plus charger hasn't automatically stopped.This battery was bought 7/19 so hope to have some warranty left on it.
There is a black square item the has a
Wire or tubing going into the grommet behind the battery just up out of the battery well. Is that what vents gases out from under the seat? If this has been asked before can you give me the link? Thanks much.
Re: Battery Replacement and Venting
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:35 pm
by harofreak00
Yes it is the vent. If your Optima is a gel battery then don't worry about the vent tubes. OE battery is a 79 series battery.
Re: Battery Replacement and Venting
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:25 pm
by mike5631
Ok thanks I did do some research and found its purpose. What threw me was it was unhooked. And the battery dead
Re: Battery Replacement and Venting
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:36 pm
by mike5631
Update: now so you know I am NOT a mechanic i have learned from family members who are either mechanics, or very knowledgeable on cars. Plus my over 40 years of maintaining my cars.
I appreciate forums like the Pontiac Bonneville Club for the knowledge base.
So I did a full fluid check (not the trans though) and made sure the tires were aired up. Put in my red optima battery. And cleared the previous trouble codes. To where there is no check engine light on.
I decided to take a short drive, and purchase some fuel too. Everything is going well, until I decide to extend the drive home. I started smelling that rotten eggs smell, so I am a bit worried. I then get this burning smell. I think could it be the car infront of me? No such luck. I make it home and I see smoke in the rear passenger area. Rear seat removed for test drive. I jump out and look in the battery well and the freaking battery is smoking! OMG!! I pulled my wrench out and quickly disconnected the battery. And carefully pulled it out and on to the front yard.still smoking!
As you recall the car (which actually belongs to my brother, Mark.hes a member here too.) Sat for 8-10months and the battery was left connected the whole time. I charged it for 2+days (not using my microprocessor charger...big mistake! So the alternator was putting out alot of juice recharging the battery and it became over heated. I'd say its toast and wouldn't even dream of putting it in the car. So its off to be recycled!
I know I probably sound stupid but want others to learn from my lack of insight.
The car did run pretty good a noticed a slight miss as I was about to make it home.
Just glad it turned out the way it did.
Sorry so long a post