Awoke to a dead battery after truck sat for 2 days, Had to jump it off three times the same day to get from place to place.

Once I got home for the day, I charged the battery for 3 hours. Reinstalled batt. Next morning would not start, jump off from my wife's 4Runner. Ran for about 10 minutes, start to drive and lights go dim and engines cuts out.

Bad alternator? Test with a voltmeter? If a bad alternator, why would batt drain so low by next morning to not turn over engine? Battery is a Motorcraft Max 650 CCA from 7/07. Possible drain on the system somewhere? Not really up to par on my electrical systems, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Jump truck and let idle. Test alternator voltage AND amperage, at idle and at load, also at 2000 rpm, and loaded at 2000 rpm. If alternator is okay, take battery to be load tested also (charge first).

 

Could be a combination of alternator and battery. Check the cables from the battery both positive and ground. Also check the belt. Bad batteries can "draw" the life out of a charging system. The alternator supplies or charges the battery. The battery supplies power to the vehicle. Ditto sleeper89. If possible, get the vehicle to Advance or Autozone and they will do a complete charging system check for free. Or charge the battery and have them check.