Alternator

[cfan10]

Bought an reman alternator from autozone, battery still drains after a few starts or sitting for a few days without starting. Had it tested last night at autozone and it is 12volts with the truck running. the manager said it was either the alternator or my wiring.

Had a proform one wire alternator on for a while it would run the batt. down too, also had an advance parts and it was totally rusted inside and ran the batt down and it would just die while driving with the lights on.

I have new battery cables and a new batt. from walmart that is the correct cranking amps.

I have a butt connector crimped on the small starter solenoid wire, but that wire has been cut and twisted since I've had the truck.

Info: 1984 c10 305/350

[franken]

I wonder what year the truck is and what alternator is in it...
You need a voltmeter or DVM. Measure the voltage at the battery with the engine not running after some hours, and running.

People at Autozone will tell you your dead cat needs a bath. I took a battery to them and at 9V they said it might need a charge. Right.

[Jaysonb]

I just went through my 3rd alternator from advance auto. None lasted more than 150 miles, they would charge, but would draw almost 1 amp whole the truck was parked. I dug out my old delco, took it apart to paint it, and it works like a champ.

[Pontiac1976]

Does Autozone have a beanch alt tester to say 100 % it working. Do you have a batt charger, Get the Batt charged then test the batt in the truck with the alt in running test the Batt under load see if reading are good. If not you got a short. FIRE WALL BLOCK CAN BE A BAD CONNECTION ( RED WIRES ). IF GOOD THERE check fuses and all go from there, all main connection lights, sockets, shorting bulbs, light switch, bad grounds.