Alternator seemingly died, then back to life?

[AN292]

New battery, bought it last month.

Came down to a dead truck, jumped it, was very sluggish. Drove it around, battery gauge was going into the 12-13 area when I was off the gas, had to keep driving to keep it at 14.

After a few minutes of driving in circles in my neighborhood, the dash lights were dimming, it turned off on me and I got the battery light on the dash. Jumped it once more, barely made it to my parking spot. Left it there and took another car to work.

Anyway, weirdly enough that same night when I came back to the truck after work it started right up.

I took the other car to work again today, same deal, came back and the truck started up with a tiny bit of resistance but I chalk that up to the battery not having a chance to actually charge up all the way.

Anyway, I have a new alternator ready to go, not a reman either. I'm going to change it tomorrow, just wanted to see what you guys thought about the whole situation.

 

[B-train]

I would have the battery load tested.

However, it's not to say there isn't/wasn't a glitch in the system. The alternator is controlled by the computer, so maybe it flaked out? Seems unrealistic, but not completely impossible.

You can also load test the alternator as it sits to see how it performs.

 

[AN292]

Update, changed the alt, everything works fine. Voltage is good. Im hearing a whining sound now that increases with my RPM. I did not change the belt but it wasn't in bad condition, I might just change the tensioner and belt soon, might as well have them last as long as possible.

Also, my brakes feel slightly stiffer? Weird. Fluid is at max.

 

[B-train]

Hmmm.....not sure on that one. Is it possible you bumped a a vacuum line and now the booster is a little lacking? Or, do you have a hydro-boost unit?

 

[AN292]

Hmmm.....not sure on that one. Is it possible you bumped a a vacuum line and now the booster is a little lacking? Or, do you have a hydro-boost unit?

Correct its hydro boost

 

[tungsten]

Correct its hydro boost

Power steering pump,you removed the belt thus disturbing the marriage of pulley and belt.Thats all I got lol.

 

[AN292]

Power steering pump,you removed the belt thus disturbing the marriage of pulley and belt.Thats all I got lol

Thats funny because I also noticed a slight increase in steering resistance, just didnt think to mention it here. I will go and make sure the belt and on right and tensioned properly

 

[AN292]

New tensioner fixed the heavy steering and brakes.

 

[Fless]

Glad that worked!

Tip: when removing a serpentine belt that will be put back on, mark it so you know how it was previously installed, like an arrow pointing to the radiator. They usually don't like to be direction-reversed.