Bad Altenator?

Rockslyde · #1 06-09-2011, 08:25 PM

Okay so here's the scoop. Driving on my way to work the other day, the battery level which usually sits around half way, dipped down to a quarter. I got to work thinking maybe i snapped the belt or something, but everything seemed to be running fine. On my way home (1am, i am a bartender after all) I live about 25 miles from where i work, truck Seemed fine for a while, then about 13 miles from home the truck just dims slowly and loses all power to drive.

I knew instantly it was an electrical issue, shelled out way too much for towing, get her home, find out my voltometer is MIA. I check the altenator the only way i know how get the truck started, pull the positive terminal, she runs, but poorly i turn on the lights she dies. Do it again, this time just hitting the brakes dies.

Before i pull the alt, any one else have any ideas? (brand new battery, none of the fuses seem out of place, nothing that i can visiblely trace loose or missing to cause a short or drain)

TenSilver · #2 06-10-2011, 04:07 AM

It sounds like your altenator went out. You sure did drive a good distance on a new battery before it drained though.

I like verifying with the multimeter first but yours is missing. If the altenator is easy to pull I would just take it out and go to an auto parts store to verify it is dead before buying a new one.

FireRanger · #3 06-10-2011, 04:59 AM

Don't disconnect the battery with the truck running anymore.

Was the battery light on? Also, when you put the key in and turn it to on, does the airbag light come on for a few seconds?

Rockslyde · #4 06-10-2011, 05:36 AM

Battery light never went on, but i've had it happen in the past where the altenator went and that light didn't come on. as for the airbag light, that always comes on when i start it.

dvrich · #5 06-10-2011, 06:46 AM

Did you check the actual DC voltage with the engine running and with the engine off? That would be the first thing you should do........ besides running down to auto zone and having the battery load tested.

Rockslyde · #6 06-10-2011, 07:28 AM

I don't have a multimeter at the moment to try it that way, and i can't just run down to a parts store or dealership, as the nearest one is about 23 miles away. Yay farm life...

FireRanger · #7 06-10-2011, 07:48 AM

Well those are you're two options. Best I can suggest is charging the battery overnight with a battery charger and hoping you make it all the way to town on the charge. Or, have a friend drive you?

The reason I ask about the airbag light is because it is on the same fuse as the battery light. And the battery light circuit is also what provides field current to the alternator in order for it to start generating power. If that fuse is blown, you won't get an airbag light, you won't get a battery light, and the alternator will not work at all.

Rockslyde · #8 06-10-2011, 08:42 PM

Charged the battery up, truck started fine. then same kinda thing happened. I did notice however though, that i don't have a battery light at all, not when i put the key in and turn it, not when it dies, nothing at all, though the Airbag light does still come on. I'm thinking now that it's the alt for sure. Gonna pull it on sunday, have em load test it monday ish

FireRanger · #9 06-12-2011, 06:57 AM

Actually, look at the alternator and see if there is a wire fallen off. If that wire for the light fell off, your alternator will never be able to start generating power.

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HazardousRanger · #10 06-12-2011, 07:04 AM

im seeing more and more threads about alternators...just for my own info...where is an alternator in my truck?

FireRanger · #11 06-12-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazardousRanger

im seeing more and more threads about alternators...just for my own info...where is an alternator in my truck?

It's the thing on the front that looks like an alternator and has wires coming off of it.

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HazardousRanger · #12 06-12-2011, 07:09 AM

haha idk what an alternator looks like but the wires will point it out

thanks

FireRanger · #13 06-12-2011, 08:50 AM

Google?

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TomN · #14 06-12-2011, 11:04 AM

HazardousRanger · #15 06-12-2011, 11:16 AM

haha ^ thanks