Short to power?? Headlights always on, truck won't start

[Curious Hound]

Thanks guys. you are heroes. The truck is running well, and indeed I have learned a lot haha.

The only thing is that the battery light is on in the dash. Perhaps it just means the battery needs some charging since the lights have been on quite a lot during the troubleshooting?

EDIT: I've tested the alternator, the reading at the battery terminals is showing 11.5 volts. Is my alternator suddenly toast too??? I'm at a loss

That is too low. The alternator should be making around 13.8 volts plus or minus a few tenths. It has to be greater than battery voltage in order to put energy back into the battery. A good charged battery at rest should be about 12.6 volts. You need to get your battery and alternator checked.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Battery light is mis-named. It indicates something wrong with the alternator.