Strange electrical issues

[LowFourteen95]

My car is having some strange electrical issues. My best guess is that it has something to do with the alternator. First, two of my dash lights came on, the one that reads, BRAKE, and also the one with the battery symbol. Now usually that brake light only comes on when the emergency brake is engaged. Then my headlights got really bright, then simultaneously burnt out. There was flickering of the instrument lights inside the car also, and I had to slow up because the engine was misfiring horribly while this electrical nonsense was going on. Plus it was around 10pm and I had just lost both headlights (low beams). I pulled off to the side of the interstate with the engine still running, and turned the key off. Saw a white vapor coming from under the hood. Diagnosed by the smell and location that it was sulfuric acid steaming from the top seam on my optima yellow top. Waited a few minutes and tried to restart the car.....not enough juice to turn the engine over. Had car towed and replaced battery with another optima yellow top and the car started just fine. Replaced low beams and they work. The SRS light is on all the time now. Also, I don't think the electrical problem that caused this is taken care of since the BRAKE and battery symbol lights are coming back on again. I've only driven the car around the block since this occurred, so as not to get stranded again, and so as not to cook another battery.

Things I have tested are the battery voltage currently with the engine running and not running. The results: 11.7 volts across the battery terminals with the engine running, and 12.09 volts across the leads with the engine off.

Thoughts?

 

[BigAirSkier1580]

If you've only got 11.7 volts WITH the motor running, then your altenator isn't charging properly. You should be at 13.7 or so with the car running.

Check there.

 

[LowFourteen95]

That's my hunch also. Just thought it strange that it produced so much voltage while driving as to blow out my headlights. Bad voltage reg, I'm guessing.

 

[BigAirSkier1580]

Yeah, no clue about that far. But if you're only getting 11.7 volts while running, then your charging system isn't fuctioning right.

 

[44pirate]

Miite have something to do with the jump starting miss hap.

 

[jfdid]

Any news on this yet? Get a new alternator, as stated, my guess, your voltage regulator went(causing a spike, burning your lights out, etc.), then the alternator went(hence the low voltage/charge).

 

[sc2_ct]

That definately sounds like it is your alternator (voltage regulator most likely). When the regulator goes you can get big voltage spikes which could account for the fried components.