Battery and alternator issues?

Sorry this is kinda long, my knowledge is limited but I'm hoping to learn.

I've been having some issues with inconsistent starts in my '15. This all started about 4 weeks ago, where some days the truck would start right up, other times it behaves like the battery was dying, sometimes I'd need a jump from the wife's car. If I experienced a struggled start or needed a jump, I'd ensure I let the truck idle for a while in the hopes the battery would get topped off, this seemed to help most of the time, but still in consistent. I got a jumper 10,000mAH to help reduce risk of being stranded while I wait for a new battery to come in, the battery appears to be original so ~5 years old which looks like around the time people start seeing issues with their OEM battery on this forum.

Fast forward to the last few days.
Wednesday - Jump the car with the jumper before heading out on an overnight trip. Drive ~3.5 hours of mostly highway and ~1 hour of dry and moist but not wet fire roads. Camped over night for two nights.
Friday morning - Truck turns over like everything is peachy. Drive 1.5 hours on highway and dry dusty fire roads. Stop the truck for a short break, and truck won't turn over. I try the portable jumper and the starter goes, but the truck doesn't want to keep running. I'm able to get a jump from another truck and the truck runs fine as long as I don't turn it off. I drive home 3.5 - 4 hours, turn off the truck and seems like the battery is completely drained.

I did some research on alternator issues last night, and one thing that was mentioned was headlights being dimmer than normal, but I haven't noticed that being the case, its possible as I wasn't looking for that issue though.

Its an old battery as stated above, but should I also replace the alternator as well since it appears the battery is not being recharged at all?

TLDR: Old battery is dead, unsure if alternator is also causing electrical issues and not charging up battery during normal use. Maybe there are some other issues as well?

Edit - grammar and photo

 

I was experiencing similar issues but i have a deep cycle. Not saying this is a fix for you but heres what i did. I have a battery tender so I put it on the main battery, I let it sit for about 30-40 minutes while i was in the garage. I started the truck and opened the hood and with the truck running i took a power washer and tried to spray the engine bay a little and clean some of the crud out and so far it seems to be running much better. its an inexpensive thing to try first.

I have a new diode coming in to help the alternator charge the deep cycle battery a little better as i continue to monitor the battery and alt. if i dont have anymore issue when i install the diode i will leave it for now if it persists i will look to replace the alternator but again im waiting to see how the next week or two goes when everything is done.

 

Thanks Matt,

I do need to clean out the engine compartment, I think I'll be doing that with our without an alternator replacement. I did see some folks here doing a bit more aggressive/mud/water driving also experience some alternator issues, and I'll admit its hard to avoid water and mud. Unfortunately I have mostly been commuting/around town errands.

I don't have a battery tender, I don't feel I've ever needed one as i keep the truck in a garage and generally use it minimum of once a week . I've got a battery on the way and I want to make sure that the current issues don't adversely drain or harm the new battery.

 

Just so you know:

The alternator will not top off the battery. It will maintain the charge of the battery, more or less if you drive long enough after starting. To properly maintain a battery, you should put a charger on it from time to time.

 

Take a voltage reading across the battery when the truck is running. If you read a little over 14 volts the battery is charging (alt is good). Else take it in to a mechanic.

Or buy a Scangauge II, it will give you charging voltage.

 

If it sits for that long i would definitely suggest getting a batter tender, it wont hurt the battery it will just keep it where it should be when it doesnt run all the time. my neighbor has 2 summer only cars in his garage and he uses the batter tenders when they sit for long perods i.e. winter

 

No, it will charge it for sure unless it’s not working. If the alternator isn’t working then the battery light on the dash will come on.
If OP doesn’t see that on the dash it’s probably just a bad battery, like 99% of all other vehicle problems.

OP, do you have a multimeter?

 

Buy a multimeter and test so you’re basing your deductions on scientific evidence, not opinions

https://youtu.be/_KGM6xB8Mi4

 

A battery over 5 years old, not wanting to start sometimes, all telling you time to replace the battery. If you got 5 years out of it, you did ok. I replaced one last week that had a 2013 date on it. It cranked slow, even after running the engine for awhile. Not wanting to start after 1.5 hr driving is not normal. Check if your terminals and posts are covered with an acid cookie or terminals are badly oxidized. A good cleaning should get you by til the new battery arrives. Having a decent jumper box is good insurance to not leave you stranded.

Jumper boxes, what I've seen, the little ones give little boost. If your completely dead, it might not do the job. I bought a batteryless capacitor jumper that works amazing. If I approach one that's completely dead, I'll use it with my pos little jumper and it starts every time.

When the new battery arrives, brush the terminals AND new posts. It's a good idea to check negative terminal to frame has a good clean connection with a vom. The second gen has that negative terminal that attaches with a short cable to the side there. Pull that bolt, you'll notice it's painted under it. I pulled mine off and cleaned it so I have metal to metal contact, and stuck a copper washer under the lug. Otherwise, negative only contacts through the bolt threads. Be very careful not to snap that bolt off, like many have done. Drop the battery in, then check if your alternator is working correctly, which I'd bet it is.

 

OP, I am certain that your issue is a faulty battery and highly unlikely an alternator issue. Why do you have to special order a battery when its so widely available? You don't have to stick with buying a factory battery.

 

Yep...Walmart.

 

Were the connections all checked as well? Had a similar issue, had to drive with all of my electronics off as battery voltage would drop to 9v from only around 12. Wipers didn't work, abs/brake light turned on, my radio shut off and all lights flickering. Thought I killed my battery/alternator.

Ended up being the battery post was a TINY bit loose and that was enough to make the electronics go crazy.

 

OP, you need to get a battery.
The sooner, the better.
Your alternator will thank you.
You are working it much harder than it should be, it is made to maintain a charge.
You are asking it to charge and run the truck constantly. A battery is easier and cheaper to replace than an alternator.