Which one is to go out first Alternator or Battery?

[whiteLT]

Okay suddenly Battery indicator light came , first stop Car electric shop, he said if the indicator comes on again and if the guage needle drops or hesitating below 14 is my Alternator, O'Riley said is my Battery. I don't mind replacing parts but how can I tell which one first before I drop my doh? You guys help would be much appreciated.

 

[Rivieraracing]

Okay suddenly Battery indicator light came , first stop Car electric shop, he said if the indicator comes on again and if the guage needle drops or hesitating below 14 is my Alternator, O'Riley said is my Battery. I don't mind replacing parts but how can I tell which one first before I drop my doh? You guys help would be much appreciated.

I don't totally agree with the alternator advise, there are other factors that could cause the symptom they described. Both the alternator and the battery can get tested, best way to find out which one is the cause!

 

[livingez_123]

how old is the battery? The electric guy is full of it. My volts started to drop and had a hard time gaining. Other electrical items in the truck started to act different. My alt was putting out the voltage, but the battery didn't retain it. I put a new battery in it and all of my electrical gremlins went away.
Some of the battery places would rather charge you for an alt and change it out only for it to be the battery. Then they will say the alt cant be returned because of this or that. Any good parts store can do a load test on your battery. it could just be retaining a surface charge or have a bad cell.

 

[whiteLT]

how old is the battery? The electric guy is full of it. My volts started to drop and had a hard time gaining. Other electrical items in the truck started to act different. My alt was putting out the voltage, but the battery didn't retain it. I put a new battery in it and all of my electrical gremlins went away.
Some of the battery places would rather charge you for an alt and change it out only for it to be the battery. Then they will say the alt cant be returned because of this or that. Any good parts store can do a load test on your battery. it could just be retaining a surface charge or have a bad cell.

Yeah! Little elect. gremlins like key fab low battery is one of them, Wife got me to changed it and a week later its acting up again, since I was the second owner, I really don't know how old was the battery. I can only assumed or suspect never been replace, it sound like I need a new battery, any brand suggestion?

 

[1SickVeilSideZ]

I recently purchased a new battery from Batteries Plus at $200 for there deep cycle brand they carry called X2. It comes with a 5 year free replacement which was good enough for me because with my sound system I know I'll be using the warranty.

The truck recently sat at the shop for about a month while I was finishing up some work on it and sure enough my guys managed to kill the battery some how. Took it back to them at Batteries Plus and they swapped it out for me no questions asked. The guy told me he's never seen one die like that.

I've had Optima batteries in the past and have managed to kill those too and the warranty sucked. So $200 might seem steep at first, but the 5 year replacement works for me and after that it's pro-rated.

The battery itself is awesome, doesn't dim the lights at all when the stereo is up or cause any flicker.

 

[livingez_123]

What ever your wallet is comfortable parting with. I went to AutoZone and picked one up.

 

[whiteLT]

Well I end up replacing both, I started with replacing the battery and it was fine for the night, comes in the morning, car was completely dead. Thank you guys for all the help. Next mod, replace all the speakers.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

okay 9 times out of 10 its a bad battery ive rarely replaced alternators

 

[Gzes]

My hoe still has the oem alt on it