Hi there, I need a little advice with my 92 Bonneville. The car itself has been absolutly great and is the best car I've ever owned. I've been driving it for 3 years with no major problems other than breaks, but hey, you have to deal with those sometime or another but yesterday I had a major problem driving home from work. I stopped at a red light and when I went to go accelerate the car jerked and sputtered a bit and the rpms went up but the car wouldn't go. After I had gotten to 5 mph'* the car picked up and continued to run fine. But every stop light after that I experienced the same problem. Then on my last turn before I get to my house I gently pressed the gas and as I was turning I heard a realllllly loud POP. I got home and looked under the hood and there was battery acid sprayed all over the body aginst the battery and leaking on to the gound (it ate though the plate) Do you think its just a battey thing, or am I looking at an alternator problem or tranny issues as well? Not really sure what to do at this point and now the car wont start because the battery is dead. =(

Thanks for any help you can give me!!!

Its sounds like maybe the Alternator went bad and over charged the Bat.... :?

What part of the battery was leaking?

I think it may have had a leak for a while on the bottom of the battery toward the nose of the car because the acual plate it sits on has a hole the size of a half dollar from prolonged dripping and corrosion I guess (I dont really get under the hood too much!) but when the battery blew theres a spray of battery acid aginst the body and front passanger side wheel of the car I had to clean up.

Well then the battery leaking probably caused it to explode. I'd just put in a new one & then have the alternator checked.

Thanks, I actually bought a battery for it last night, my uncle was trying to put it in but had alot of trouble trying to get the bolt that secures it to the plate off. Its pretty corroded and sort of "welded" to the plate and washer. Do you think once I change it I'll know right away if theres a problem with the alternator? What are some signs? (sorry this probably sounds dumb, I hardly know anything about cars)

Do you have a Advanced Auto Parts by you, cuz if so i do know they will test it for free

I would take the alternator off and drive another car to get it tested at an auto store. I wouldn't want to risk the alt being bad and putting in the battery and driving to the auto store and have the battery blow up again. But I am not sure if the auto store tests it while it is on or off the car, since I have never had to get one tested.

I have an AutoZone right down the street from me, any clue if they'll test it for me? How long do you think I could drive on a new battery without causing any damage if there is something wrong with my alternator?

They should be able to test it.
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/free_testing.htm