Our truck is dead. Its been getting worse and worse. It dies over night. The battery is good. Is it the Alter?

Question

I thought if the alternater was bad, I would have problems when the truck was running. I am not getting this. I know it's either the battery or alternater, but I thought the way you figured out the difference was if it died when it was turned off then it was the battery and if it died when it was running it was the alternater. Or does the alternater pull charge from the battery and if the alt isn't working it won't pull anything from the battery. Can someone help me?

It is a Ford F150 Extended Cab Pickup 4.6 Lit. 2X4

Answer 1

I think you need a new alternater,are regulater.You did not say what year it is.

Answer 2

Let me clarify. The battery should have the power to start the car. But a battery can not run a car. The alternator turning via the fan belt/ serpentine belt is what creates the electricity needed to run your car. If you have a good battery and a bad alternator your car will start but die shortly after. The car in that case has used the battery instead of the alternator (really the alternator should keep the battery charged if you want to look at it that way). As soon as the battery is out of juice (not long if you have a bad alternator) the car dies. Now it probably won't start again because the battery is now dead also.

If on the other hand you have trouble starting the car, but once it is started it runs until you shut it down then you probably only need a battery. But keep in mind there are lots of other problems that can give you trouble starting. Does it turn over slowly like a dead battery. Does a jump start work? If so then replace the battery.

Answer 3

You have what is called a parasitic draw. There is a short somewhere in your electrical system that is draining the battery overnight. It is possible that the alternator is shorted internally if you have not already replaced it. The easiest way to tell is to disconnect one of the battery terminals and put a test light between the battery terminal and the disconnected battery cable. Make sure the key is turned off and nothing is on. If the test light lights up, you have something drawing power from the battery.

Answer 4

It particular sounds like the battery the two is susceptible or has undesirable cells in it and hence as quickly because it sits over nighttime it won't start up the engine or fairly turns the engine over. some issues to envision till now changing the battery is have somebody sparkling the battery submit connections, verify them verify their no longer unfastened the two bec a unfastened or corroded connection on the battery would reason all varieties of commencing and charging themes. One try you ought to accomplish is the subsequent time you may spice up it take it for a sturdy 15-20 min hwychronic after which see if after it sits over nighttime if the battery starts off up the motor vehicle.word that is important whilst utilising any motor vehicle tochronic on the hwy for a sturdy 15-20 minutes a minimum of as quickly as a wk bec popular provide up and bypass city utilising would not particularly value the battery up. wish that helps and better of success.by utilising a manner as nicely the battery posts being checked and wiped sparkling you may verify the cables working to battery and verify/sparkling the engine block floor.till now i could bypass purchase a sparkling battery i could advise having yet another shop or factors keep verify the battery and function them tutor you and clarify the try outcomes to you.One final suggestion purchase your self a sturdy battery with the optimal chilly cranking amp score you will locate and that i decide directly to advise Interstate batteries, additionally would purchase your self a alternator battery tester which you plug into the cig lighter socket.

Answer 5

I have seen alt . drain a batter ,but its rare. you prob. have something draining your battery.If you have a test light ,turn the truck off,put the key in your pocket,close the door.raise hood disconnect the neg. battery terminal.Hook the test light to the battery post and the disconnected neg cable end.wait 30 minutes if the test light stays lit ,after 30 minutes.start pulling fuses ,one at a time until the light goes out.Remember to have the door closed on you when pulling fuses(dome light will be on with door open)Once you've found the fuse that kills the light,that is the circuit that has the draw. you'll have to find what is staying on ,on that circ.I found a dime in a cig lighter once ,under the lighter.The circ had a relay ,so it didnt blow a fuse just drained the battery. Good Luck !!

Answer 6

there are three things that will cause a battery to go dead, the battery is no good, the charging system is not charging the battery , or tou have a short in the elect. system that drains the battery overnight. remove the battery and have it charged and checked,if ok put a volt meter on the posts with the truck running you should read about 14.6 volts. disconnect the negative battery post at night and see if the battery remains charged

Answer 7

You are going to get a lot of answer,s that are to high tech for people who dose not know a lot about car,s and have the stuff to do a lot of testing.If you just want to know if your alternator is putting out enough charge.while you have it running disconnect your hot post on the battery and if the engine die,s your alternator need,s replaced .It should put out enough charge to keep it running when disconnected,

Answer 8

the alternator "holds" the charge. if it is bad it will not have enough amps to crank the motor. you will be able to jump start it but the next time you stop it will drain the battery again. yes, you need to change your alternator. If you disconnect the positive battery cable when the car is off. the charge will hold longer.

Answer 9

you obviously have a short drawing power all night, don't leave anything on like the radio, nor anything plugged in the cigarette lighter, try to remove battery cables at night and watch the magic of a truck start in the morning

Answer 10

If you have an ADVANCE AUTO PARTS or AUTO ZONE store near you, GO! They offer free Electrical checks. You can be nice and purchase a battery or alternator from them once you figure out what is at fault. :-)

Good luck otherwise!