Electrical Issues

Got a weird one for my first post. Took my '11 Tacoma in for an inspection and got the dreaded frame replacement. After I got it back, maybe 3 days later, I was driving and the gauges all died while driving and the truck totally died on me. I thought for sure it was ground strap related since the alternator had been replaced about 2 years ago but it got diagnosed as an alternator issue. Shame on me for not also having the battery replaced at the same time, but live and learn. My heart is telling me the alternator should not have gone yet, though, since I only drive this truck like 6,000 miles a year. It's POSSIBLE it was a faulty alternator but, so close to them tearing my truck apart??

However here's where things get real weird. After getting my alternator replaced I was driving home one day, probably 2 or 3 days after alternator, I stopped at the mailbox and when I hopped back in the truck it was completely dead. No clicks, cranks, nothing. My wife comes down with the jumpers and I hook them up to my battery first. I touch the other two cables together and it sparks and the trucks lights turn on so I jump in to turn the key and it immediately starts back up without ever touching the jumpers to my wife's car. Drive up to the house, turn it off and dead again. Hook the jumpers back up and touch the other two together and no sparks, no sparks, no sparks and then 3 minutes later touch them again and they spark. Lights turn on and I'm able to start the truck. Literally never heard of something like this.

I replace the battery since the easiest answer is that the battery is trash but I'm a little nervous driving it on any kind of distance right now thinking the electrical is going to wig out again. Anyone have any thoughts of any kind?

 

It could be numerous things.
Have you had the alternator check?
The battery checked?
Check the battery cables.
Another thing to check is the actual wiring at the alternator plug.
It’s been known to corrode inside the wire.

I’d also NOT be touching the jumper cables to each other with them hooked to any battery. Your electrical system can be damaged.

 

Check frame mounted ground straps.

 

First learn how to properly jump a vehicle battery. And avoid self inflicted damage to the electrical system.

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-a-car-the-complete-guide/

Then go with what TnShooter said...

 

This is all very good advice. Getting the old battery tested would tell you if you had a charging or a battery issue.

Improper (i.e. lack of) frame grounding will cause electrical issues, but it will not kill your battery. If you have a volt meter, you could do some basic checks. With the car running you should read 13.7-14.7 volts at the battery if the alternator is healthy. Let it sit overnight and measure it without starting the car. If it drops below 12.3 volts, something is draining your battery or your battery is worn out. If you suspect a drain, you can check the current flow at the battery and then isolate it at the fuse box.