Just recently ( two weeks) when I start my 1998 2ltr petrol vw transporter in the morning, only the first start, the clock and electrics cut out for a second... then start working again! and the engine is runing with a little blip of a cut out every now and then!
now, just today, on a long drive, I could smell battery fumes in the cabin while driving, had a look and the battery is steaming!!! and is now dead!!!!!
The battery is a calcium/calcium sealed type, with no water top ups able!!!!
Could this be an overcharging alternator? or perhaps the coil is stuffed?

colin, April 2010

I wouldn't put a new battery on without checking for a short with a multimeter, then check alternator output voltage.

jim, April 2010

may be just a duff battery.if you could start the engine with a new battery and measure the voltage across the battery terminals it should be around 12v,rev engine and hold at 2000 revs,it should be no more than 14v.if it is higher the voltage regulator will be faulty.this is on the alternator.some times they can be replaced without a new alternator.

xs11, April 2010