If it happens with the motor running it could be overcharging but if it does it all by itself with motor off and no other drain it will be internal short in the battery. Both should be covered by warranty?...unless you've been over really rough roads or battery has come loose and damaged plates both which will void your warranty.
Good Luck.
Check the voltage output of the alternator, if that is within required voltage (13.5 to 14.5) then it's likely that the battery has a dead cell and is unable to take the charging current as set by the regulator.
The only other alternative I can think off is battery fluid levels too low or that the battery had run down quite a bit and was being charged at the full capacity and got hot as a result, but that is unlikely with normal car maintenance and regular trips.
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I had a thought but it got run over as it crossed my mind.
We just finished a 3 week trip to Queensland earlier this week and last week while in Sapphire our battery was boiling away when we pulled up. Drove into Emerald the next morning and the Holden dealer said the alternator is over charging. Had one the week before as well. So replaced alternator and battery under warranty and had extra 2 nights in Sapphire while this was done. No reason for it to happen, just happens!
Pete
If the same thing has happened to other Colorado owners it does seem like the batteries fitted are unable to handle the charge current as set by the regulator.
Too high an battery impedance?
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I had a thought but it got run over as it crossed my mind.
Don't know much about the new collie but apparently the ford ranger has a "smart " alternator fitted which somehow monitors the engine load and will stop charging if the engine is working hard and this has caused some problems with insufficient charge to the barttries on short trips, I am told this feature can be turned off by the dealer if requested maybe these are fitted to the collie also and is playing up in the other direction ie over charging. On another note a bloke I know has a ranger only 12 months old and last week blew up ( wife's description ) made heaps of funny loud noises and stopped and wouldn't start again seems this has happened with others but is being kept quiet as yet don't know exactly what has happened but wife is home and hubby is still in SA with ute. Now I'm not picking on the ford just informing others I am sure that they are all capable of giving trouble at some point.
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Don't know much about the new collie but apparently the ford ranger has a "smart " alternator fitted which somehow monitors the engine load and will stop charging if the engine is working hard and this has caused some problems with insufficient charge to the barttries on short trips, I am told this feature can be turned off by the dealer if requested maybe these are fitted to the collie also and is playing up in the other direction ie over charging. On another note a bloke I know has a ranger only 12 months old and last week blew up ( wife's description ) made heaps of funny loud noises and stopped and wouldn't start again seems this has happened with others but is being kept quiet as yet don't know exactly what has happened but wife is home and hubby is still in SA with ute. Now I'm not picking on the ford just informing others I am sure that they are all capable of giving trouble at some point.
It seems to me that we, the poor suckers who spend our hard earnt on these items (applies to all brands) are the quality control. The manufacturers think if it goes wrong, recall it. If it stuffs up we can fix it later.
Quality in motor cars is a hit and miss thing now days, we are lucky and have a very nice Ranger, however reading material even about my ute convinces me that we are the bunnies at the end of the manufacturing loop.
Good luck with the battery issue, I'm sure holden will have a fix for the problem, but it's the inconvenience of being off the road while they dither about fixing the thing.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Walwal I have a Colli too but no battery issues (yet)... I found out the other day I can check the battery/alternator state by pushing a button on the blinker stick... (I was bored, it was dark and Raining etc..) low and behold 15.8Volts... it dropped a little after I got moving... is that too high a charge for a basic battery? My Unit has done 100,000 now, I added the last 20k, 10k with the van....
do our resident experts have any further advice, or did a dealer give you a satisfactory explanation
Well I am retired now so may not be up with the latest stuff, but if I saw 15.8 volts on my electrical system I would be worried and check it out.
It may be the reading given may not be on an accurate gauge. Where do you see the voltage reading ? What does it read when the engine is turned off ? Check it out with an accurate multimeter.
Jaahn, the reading is on page two if you will of the dash display.... the reading dropped a little as I got going, I had the high beams and heater fan on from the get go, but as I covered the first five k's it eased off a little, have not checked again, good excuse to play around tomorrow.
I am sitting in Brisbane Holden due to the fact that my battery had a melt down and when I stopped it was boiling. I had to fit a new battery and the auto elec told me that the battery was being over charged due to the alternator putting 15.2 volts. I had been driving all day and could smell something but didn't know what is was until I stopped for fuel and opened the bonnet. This appears to be a common problem looking at all the forums, would like to know how you got on regarding warranty as I have only done 62000 kilometres and out of warranty by two months.
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BETTER TO HAVE SEEN SOMETHING ONCE, THAN HEAR ABOUT IT A THOUSAND TIMES
