Alright here we go,truck sits for a day or so and it is dead.I changed the battery(new optima yellow top).I changed the alternator and put on a good used one that tested good.Today I went to start it and it was dead again.I charged the battery and fired it up and removed the positive cable and it shut off.Checked some of the connections and cleaned them.I got a new alternator today and they had the wrong one in the box...horray...so I put on another used one I had here and still shuts off when cable disconnected.When I changed the alternator for the third time, every time the alternator is warm to the touch and one time it was very hot.I am going to try to get the right alternator tomorrow and see what happens.Any other ideas of what to check?I guess I am wondering if the wiring might be screwed up due to the alternators getting warm when sitting for 3-4 hours...thanks for any help...

 

Well I am going to start at it today and I will post what I find out...

 

Check for any loose connections, also there is a fuse link in the wire somewhere. Sounds there is a short somewhere. With the battery charged and everything off, see if there is a load or a big spark when you touch the cable to the battery.

 

I changed the alternator and got it charging.I ran it for the day and it worked great.We will see in the morning if it is dead when I go to start it...

 

Good luck man, I see a new alternator being in my future too!