I have a 2000 manual 6-cyl. About a week ago, while driving my power started to just go away. It was night time and the headlights started to dim and the dash did as well. I went and purchased a new battery the next day and put it in. When i installed the battery, the red battery light on the dash cluster was on. This made me go and get the alternator tested. The alternator was bad. I replaced the alternator and tried again. Everything was fine for about 12 hours. That night the power died again. Today i went to another shop and had the alternator tested and the battery charged. Ther both checked out fine on the bench test but the alternator fails the test while installed in the vehicle. The guy at the shop says i should test the starter since electrically they are all connected. haven't done that yet. Any suggestions? PLEASE HELP!?!
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Its not going to be your starter.
It might be a worn belt or slipping belt. Low belt tension? With belts on and the engine stopped (duh) it should be very tough to turn the alternator by hand. If it turns easily, a loose/worn belt or worn pulley is the problem.

Check your connectors and wires at the alternator, battery and ground carefully. Especially the ground wire. Watch for grey colored copper wires that are crunchy stiff at the connectors - they are usually corroded badly enough to reduce current flow.

Not sure if this applies to the new trucks but if your truck has a voltage regulator that is mounted as a seperate unit (not part of the alternator) replace it.

 

thanks, i did check the starter and you're right. I will try the loose belt check and the pulley as well. thanks.

 

I have tried checking all the wires, had the starter tested, replaced the alternator again, recharged battery again, and I even tried to find out if the voltage regulator was bad but found out the regulator is located inside the alternator in my model(so says the auto parts store). Now while the engine is not running and the key is turned to the on position there is a clicking noise as if a relay is trying kick on and off. Everytime it clicks the ABS light comes on and goes off and the temp and direction indicator in the headboard is blinking as well. It's like an error code.

 

there is also a fusible link in the wire coming from the alternator. If it is burned out or broken you will NOT get any charging. This would explain why it checks fine on the bench but not in the truck.
Edward

 

I just checked the fuse box under the hood. Fuse F11 was blown and I am told this fuse is the direct source for electronic feedback for the voltage regulator in the alternator. Hope this fixes it. Thanks.