Archived Low volts... Dropping.... Is -5 out...

[Bartman#1]

Hello everyone,



Help!!



So when I left for work this morning it was cold, -5 or so. i fired up my truck for 2-3 minutes head off to work.



For the life of the truck sometimes when its cold and i start it the "check gauges" light comes on and i'm at about 12volts on the gauge. touch the pedel and it reves up, light goes out volts go up. only at a start.



Today the light stayed on and i was at approsimitly 12 volts for around twenty miles... no matter what RPM. about 5 miles from the shop, it started to creep down to 11,10,9,8, volts... . lost the radio, but she made it to work!!! won't start again... .



Has original 99' Batterys... Never out,never run down... but original...



Everyone here says it's my alternator, it's fnnn cold and i don't want to take it off if i don't have too... could it be only my old batterys???



Any info , PLEASE!!!



Bartman

 

[p-Bar]

Put a real volt meter on and see what the voltage is. should be 13. 8 14. 2-4

 

[Bartman#1]

if not it's the alternator??? not batterys??

 

[seemore]

I think you've got your money's worth out of those old batteries. It sure couldn't hurt to replace them!!! :-laf

 

[Skydiver]

Get the batteries replaced first. I prefer gel cell. The problem sounds like your grid heater relays stuck closed (stayed on). When you get it running make sure the voltage is above 13. 5 after 5 minutes of running with nothing electrical on, if not It could the alt.