chickenwire

I think Dirt and Griz nailed it - that's why I asked the age of the battery. For a quick test to say the battery is "good"? I'm not buying that - it takes more than a quick "meter" check.

Phyer Phyter

The battery does not need to be fully charged to be tested. There are electronic testers that can test a battery down to 1volt and accurately tell you whether it is still good or not. OTC makes one that comes with a printer that Interstate Batteries has accepted and uses to test their batteries and relies on to pass or fail their batteries for warranty claims. These are not new, I used to sell them as much as 15 yrs ago.

Also alternators don't "click". I suspect the OP was hearing something else. The OP needs to take his vehicle in to a shop that can diagnose his issue. otherwise you're shooting in the dark and potentially wasting money.

Ricktwuhk

These trucks have a steady parasitic draw that becomes more evident in the winter, and with short (under 1/2 hour) drives that don't let the battery charge back up. Drivery it for an hour, message will be gone.

Alternator is supposed to cycle on and off. Test it as indicated.

There is a TSB on this for certain model years, but all it does it lower the threshold for the warning to come up, which means you're discharging the battery to an even weaker state.

I got tired of the message (sometimes I drive 1x per week), so I bought a Battery Tender Plus and never see it anymore.

Phyer Phyter

Alternators don't cycle on and off. They put out voltage and vary the amperage as required. Your battery is used only to start your vehicle. The alternator provides current and supplies all the electrical needs while your motor is running. There is a minimal parasitic draw when the ign is turned off however it is not enough to damage your battery.
If you're having troubles with a battery maintaining a charge then the battery may be in a deteriorated condition from aging or other internal damage, poor cable connections (loose, corroded for example) or there is a larger parasitic draw than is designed in your vehicle and something is not shutting off. Could also be the alternator has diminished out put for various reasons causing your electrical system to draw off your battery more than your alternator is putting out. Which with out proper diagnosis would look like the battery is not holding a charge. This s is why I suggested that the OP take it to a shop that can properly diagnose electrical issues. Testing the charging system is the place to start. Believe it or not heat is more detrimental to a battery than cold is.

Trish1974

Can videos be attached to these replies? I did record a 10 second video of the noise...maybe somebody could identify it if I knew how to post it??

Dirttracker18

The noise is not important right now, diagnose the issue.

Have battery properly tested.

Have alternator properly tested.

Move on to connections.

Look for a draw.

idrive

iTrader: (3)

As mentioned, Alternators do not cycle on and off. If it is it is defective.

That was an easy fix.

Having said that, usually what one would hear cycle on/off would be the air conditioning compressor.

My vote (until you've had it properly diagnosed) is your Battery needs replaced.