Alternator is no good, do I have a tow package?

Ain't this a pickle. I know I probably can't avoid the verbal abuse I deserve but live and learn I guess. So my auto buddy that suggested the alternator being bad helped me install it this weekend. Still having the same issue, truck wont start. He suggests either it's the battery or the remanufactured alt is no good. I'm tempted to just take it to my auto shop I frequented in the past and be done with it because I want my truck back OR should I take the stock alternator that we took out, into O'Reilly's and tested to see if it was even bad to begin with? Bring the battery in as well to be tested? Again, I'm very new to self fixing so I don't have any history with this stuff.

My buddy seems convinced if the truck isn't starting with the "new" alt we put it then it's the battery. He was also confused on how we settled on the alt and I explained I told him the symptoms and he suggested the alt is bad.

 

does it crank over and not start?
Why did you think the alt was bad?
what is battery voltage?

 

Doesn't crank at all. No clicking in the engine. Just nothing happens when key is turned.

I don't want to not take blame for it. My friend that is the expert made the "diagnosis" based off my description (probably a poor one). If it is the battery then I suppose we should have started there and then tried the alt after that but we didn't and here I am. haha

Battery voltage right now as of this posting is...10.57.

 

battery is too low and that wont let it crank
Charge it up and see if I takes a charge, if it wont get a battery

 

Did you try to jump start it?

 

My mistake not adding this part to my update post.

After we installed the alt we charged it up and I drove it for about 20-30 minutes on the freeway. Came home, turned off the truck and tried to start and it did not start.

Yes. It worked but won't hold the charge.

 

if you have a bad cell in the battery, then it will drop that much after parking it

 

It's your battery. Get your old alternator tested. If it's still good, return the new unit and buy a new battery.

 

I feel foolish not beginning with the battery and it was a bitch getting that alt in the truck too. At least I learned about removing and installing an alternator though.

Thanks again!

 

Is the starter bad?

 

Jump start it and check the charging voltage.

 

Learning experience. Always check the battery first at a no start issue. Most likely you still have the OEM battery in there.

 

Starter was also brought up but I don't know who to check that.

O'Reilly's said the alt I installed is mine but if the OEM alt is good they will do even swap for a new battery. Sounds like a good deal, is it?

 

How much did you pay? What kind of battery?

 

sounds ok to me

 

Could be a good deal, saves you from taking it out and and reintalling it again.

 

I would go that route, now go fix your rig man!

 

Super Start Extreme - Battery
$139.99 Each

Remanufactured alt was $130 plus $27 for core charge, $157 total. I won't get the core charge refunded but the battery and the alt are essentially the same price. Seems like a reasonable swap to me. It is a seven year old OEM alternator.

 

Get the rig fixed!

 

I don't think so.