Good old Bill

Do a complete test before anything, charge battery, start engine and test alternator output. Your problem could be as simple as corroded battery terminals, in which case the alternator hasn't been charging your battery. My battery lasted 7 years, tach and speedo would peg during start up, advised by dealer battery at fault, it was.

CTB

Thanks for all the advice...put new battery in and things look good so far...not aware of optima batteries, went with an Interstate.
The truck has a "System Status Check" on it that shows that the charging system is ok...will continue to monitor all systems...
Again, thank you all for your input, and advice...
Terry B.

bossman15

Same thing happened to me and it was the alternator...you better hope to God that you have a warranty on the battery if it s the alternator because that's gonna be an expensive dumb move. The battery they give you has a full charge but if its not actually charging your gonna be screwed...defianatly go to an auto parts store and have a charging system check reguardless of what ur self check system says.

ford4wd08

a battery isnt shot if it gets drained it will charge back up espically if its new, i dont see it as a dumb move, if his battery dies then he can check the alternator and replace it if needed, but i do also recommend the auto parts store check its silly not to get it done

bossman15

A bad alternator will tear a battery to pieces...it happened to me

Good old Bill

ford and boss are both right, batteries can be drained dead and have no damage done, if caught quick evough. Alternators if overcharging will boil the acid out, overheat and melt down. If an alternator isn't charging, it will not damage a battery, the battery will loose its charge and go dead. You should do the whole job, not just half of it. Replacing battery and testing alternator for 13.8-14.2 volts with full electrical load on it seals the deal.

CTB

Thanks again...watched my voltmeter slowly fall and realized that I was running off of new battery charge...replaced the alternator and all is well...
By the way, AutoZone said they could not check the alternator because of the mounting holes...hunh?, I checked the battery with motor running and had 11.5 volts so arbitrarily changed the alternator...
Thanks again...
Terry B.

Good old Bill

Excellent, you should see 13.8-14.2 volts,and should have the ability to hold that same voltage at higher RPM with all accessories on.