Listees,

On the way home from work on friday, I heard a explosion in my van that seem to come from the front of the car.  I immeadiately turned it off and did a walk around with no evidence of what had happened.  Convinced it was not fuel related I stated the van and about 15 minutes later a similar explosion noise was heard.  I then discovered that a large amount of gas had built up in the battery and had blown the caps right off the battery.  Being about five miles from home I deduced that the alternator was over charging the system, a visual check verified that, acid in battery was boiling. It appears to my Flaps to be a shorted Diode pack.  Battery has tested good!

What could have caused this condition?

I have a Life Time warrenty on the alternator but it will be three days before it comes in.

Any body with a good used one I think I want a spare?

Cheers,

Joe Hunt, & Oscar (81 A/C