Weird Battery Problem

[metalmike]

Recently I've noticed when I start my truck up in the morning the battery voltage is about half of what it normally is, and it isn't getting recharged until the engine warms up a bit (headlights are dim and the little red battery light is on). Here's the part that's got me stumped: it only happens in the morning. Later in the day when I drive home from work everything is as it should be.

I'm wondering if the belt is slipping from the colder night temps since rain has no effect (it was clear this morning and raining this afternoon and I still had the same problem). I want to get this figured out before it drops below freezing during the night, which is about another month or so. Any ideas?

 

[richlands55]

Check your grounds and have your alt. checked.

 

[Nhaz]

I would go over connections at the alternator and battery. bad contact when cold and good contact when warm maybe.

 

[metalmike]

I opened up the hood an started the truck early this morning while it was still a little chilly. Same problem, so I stuck my head next to the alt and it was making a noticeable "clicking" noise that got quieter as the engine warmed up.

I'm guessing that's a good sign the alt needs replacing?

 

[locovaca]

Autozone will test an alternator for free. I'd at least give that a shot before replacing it. But chances are you'll probably need another one.

 

[adsm08]

Hook a volt meter to the battery and start the engine. See what she is putting out on startup. If it is only about 12 V snap the throttle wide open for about 3 seconds. The fun thing about your truck, it should have the self-exciting alternator that can get itself going without external power input once reved over 3000 RPM.

 

[metalmike]

I replaced the alternator last night, and it was a night and day difference. All my lights are brighter than they've ever been, and my battery stays charge regardless of outside temp. One unexpected thing I noticed was my engine is now quieter than it used to be, could just be my imagination though.

 

[Tractor Dan]

One more thing to do that may be good is check the battery terminals on your cables. See if they are cracked or brittle. About once a year the last few years my 97 would blow an alternator finally figured out it was a cracked terminal. I replaced mine with these.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...uick-Clamp/_/N-25nk?itemIdentifier=95965_0_0_

I personally love these. Makes life so much easier no tools needed to remove the battery cables. Comes in handy if i need to and for some reason don't have tools in my truck or they are in one of the other cars. I have used them on my truck and my friend's mazda protege and they work just fine. I did find every so often you gotta tighten that nut a 1/4 turn or less. Probably don't have to i just do it to be safe. Hope that helps. Glad you got it fixed. My trucks way of saying the alternator is going bad is the lights dim as i'm driving. So much fun on a country road at 2 am.