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Truck question..sort of

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Buckeye 'bedder, Dec 30, 2010.

  1. Dec 30, 2010 #1
    Buckeye 'bedder

    Buckeye 'bedder Road Train Member

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    My personal truck's battery warning light came on today and the high - low (volts?) dial gauge begins in the middle (when the truck is started), but after about 15 miles (or 15 minutes of drive time, it slowly drops closer to low. I turn off the truck, then when I get back to it an hour later, it starts no problem, but repeats the above scenerio.
    Checked the serpentine belt. It is tight with no cracks, etc.. Battery connections checked out. No loose connections around alternator. I believe the problem lies in the alternator, but I am no mechanic! I would like your opinions before it goes to my mechanic. He is an honest guy, so I trust him when he tells me something. I just want to be sure it seems like I know wth I am talking about when I take it to him. :biggrin_25526:
     
    Buckeye 'bedder, Dec 30, 2010
    Buckeye 'bedder, Dec 30, 2010
    #1
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  3. Dec 30, 2010 #2
    Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    Dec 15, 2007
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    Most auto parts places will check an alternator for free.
     
    Lonesome, Dec 30, 2010
    Lonesome, Dec 30, 2010
    #2
  4. Dec 30, 2010 #3
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Remove the battery connections and clean them, put on a bit of die-electric grease and tighten them up clean the ground and positive cables to the motor and starter. You can buy a multimeter cheap and do a voltage drop test to check connections from that point. Go from a ground on the motor, to the ground post on the battery .1 is the most you want. Do the same on the positive, side. .1 is the most you want there also battery post to alt output post.
    After driving you want to test the battery voltage with the truck running, you want 14.0 volts you must have at least 13.8 volts to fully charge a battery.
     
    JohnP3, Dec 30, 2010
    JohnP3, Dec 30, 2010
    #3
  5. Dec 30, 2010 #4
    o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 15, 2010
    massachusetts
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    are those volts metric or standard :biggrin_25523:
     
    o.m.d., Dec 30, 2010
    o.m.d., Dec 30, 2010
    #4
  7. Dec 30, 2010 #5
    Twizter68

    Twizter68 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 7, 2010
    Virginia Beach, VA
    0
    If you are dropping voltage while the engine is running, you're alternator is not charging the battery. Take it off, and take it to any national chain parts store, they test them for free. If it checks out good, then you need to look for a faulty battery cable. Without knowing what truck you drive, I can't give you the specs for resistance, but a dealership should be able to tell you over the phone; get what it should be, and use a multimeter to check resistance from end to end. You might also have a bad voltage regulator, if your truck has an external reg. Some are internal to the alternator, and the alt will check bad if the reg goes out. Best I can do for you over the interwebs...

    BTW- Been turning wrenches on cars, trucks, motorcycles, and planes for 30 years, so take it for what that's worth.
     
    Twizter68, Dec 30, 2010
    Twizter68, Dec 30, 2010
    #5
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