Gen light on but plenty of juice from alt.

SteveMiller · 06-01-2004, 01:30 PM

OK so here's the story...

I was on my way back from PA and stopped in Iowa for the night. When I came out in the morning my truck wouldn't start. Seems the batteries were dead. So I got a jump and the truck started up and away I went.

However, the Gen light was now on. The volt meter was reading above 14 but not quite halfway to the next mark (normal or maybe a touch high). I ran the radio, AC, cruise and it never dropped below 14 on the guage. But at the same time since I was traveling and needed to get home I didn't turn the truck off the whole way. The volts didnt' change, but the light would go off from time to time (no pattern that I could tell) but it was on most of the time. When I got home i shut off the truck. Of course I tried to start it again and it was even more dead than the morning.

I'm guessing my batteries have just given up and aren't holding a charge but I wanted to see what other people thought and even if that is the case if I should be worried about the alternator as well. I was concerned with the alt. over changing the batteries and killing them. Seems weird they would both be gonzo'd at the same time and just over night. I didn't own the truck when they were put in but according to the sticker they are only 2yrs old.

The truck is a 97 1-ton with 195k on it. It has a pretty good oil leak, I did just change the oil filter but don't believe I shorted anything out. I haven't had a chance to look at the fuse but will when I get home but it seems like the alternator was keeping the truck going so I don't think the fuse is blown.

Also, since it looks like a good possibility that I'll be buying batteries in the near future what does anyone suggest for brands and what amps are they supposed to be?

Thanks
Steve