alternator/battery

hello! 2005 tundra

about 10 months ago i replaced my alternator after accidentally draining battery, successful jump, but regular dead alternator symptoms afterwards.

same sequence just happened again, but I've got that replaced alternator in there already.

Any other ideas on this? hard to believe I need another alternator so soon...

Thanks!

 

Did you replace the battery after you jumped?

 

Is your power steering pump leaking?

 

Post this in the first gen section.
What brand alternator did you get? Denso is the way to go to avoid early part failure.

 

thanks!

I am not sure if I replaced the battery when I replaced the alternator 10 months ago, sorry.

I don't think that my power steering pump is leaking, but I can check, with some guidance...

Not sure the brand of new alternator, sorry.

Currently, I can charge the battery and drive the truck as normal, with battery indicator on dash at about 10.5 and slowly descending? and it seems, reading that gauge, that the alternator is not functioning at this time.

Alternator is under warranty, so I can get it replaced, but I just stumped for why killing the battery once would also kill the alternator. One idea is that if the alternator has an external regulator, that could be cooking the alternator once the battery has died by asking for too much power for the battery?

 

When I have run a battery down so far it needs a jump I would no longer trust it. You could take it down to any auto parts store they can test the battery for you, if it tests less than 40% I would change it out, a weak battery can effect a lot of systems

I don’t know how accurate the volt meter on the dash is but 10.5 is low

 

Battery needs to be charged and properly load tested. As Orions Dad said most auto parts store can do this.

 

thanks!

 

Is 'load testing' the battery different than just putting a multi-meter on it? sorry, I'm a neophyte on this stuff. thanks!

 

Yes, after battery is fully charged, they will load test it with a carbon pile or electronic load tester and it will pass or fail. I would leave it with them and come back later. They will charge and test it but you will get a better reading if you let the battery rest after charging. Get them to show it to you when you return.

 

One item to find out (and hopefully quickly dismiss). Does your truck have an aftermarket security system on it?

Also, you need to keep a maintenance log. Note dates, mileage and make/model of items replaced. As you've already seen above that kind of information is key to providing laser like guidance.