I was told that if I took the positive

[4X4HIGH]

Just for the record, i've read every post in here thus far.

Here is my $.02 now. Pulling the battery cable while the truck is running could kill the alternator like was already said. If you don't have a volt meter you can always put a screw driver (or something else that is metallic) to the back side of the alternator while the engine is running and if it magnatizes then chances are the alternator is good. This is a cheapo method but fairly effective and won't hurt the electrics.

Secondly, an alternators job is NOT to charge a battery but to maintain the charge that is in the battery. If you have a dead battery and just jump start the vehicle hoping the alternator will "charge" the dead battery this can also kill the alternator because now you're making it work harder than it was intended to which will fry the insides of the alternator. The proper method would be to put a slow trickle charger on the battery until it is fully charged before attemping to start the vehicle.

 

[Dafey]

$2.99 for this Volt meter. I bought it as a spare to keep in my trucks tool box.
Oh the # is 90899-1VGA @ www.Harborfreight.com

 

[lectric80]

Just for the record, i've read every post in here thus far.

Here is my $.02 now. Pulling the battery cable while the truck is running could kill the alternator like was already said. If you don't have a volt meter you can always put a screw driver (or something else that is metallic) to the back side of the alternator while the engine is running and if it magnatizes then chances are the alternator is good. This is a cheapo method but fairly effective and won't hurt the electrics.

Secondly, an alternators job is NOT to charge a battery but to maintain the charge that is in the battery. If you have a dead battery and just jump start the vehicle hoping the alternator will "charge" the dead battery this can also kill the alternator because now you're making it work harder than it was intended to which will fry the insides of the alternator. The proper method would be to put a slow trickle charger on the battery until it is fully charged before attemping to start the vehicle.

This is very good advice. I have worked in an auto electrical shop, and you would not believe how many alternators were replaced right after a new battery was installed. Unhooking the positive cable is always a bad idea. Yes it may work, but it may also fry the alternator, or give you a false sense of security.

Voltmeters are a highly effective, and cheap way to know what is truly happening. Any of the auto parts stores that test batteries, should put it under load. By putting a load on a battery they can see if the voltage falls off. A good battery will not fall off by very much, as little as .5 volts. A bad battery will drop to 11 or lower under load.

Get a voltmeter, test the battery when it is just sitting in the truck, it should be about 12 -12.5 volts. Then test with the engine running, it should be about 13 -14.5 volts. This is the only truly safe and accurate way to test a charging system. If you replace the battery, always trickle charge it before running the engine.

 

[redbeast24740]

Wal mart batterys are great! Just take them back and get a free one.
I had a chepo 3 year wally world batt in one of my cars and got 3 free batterys over a 10 year period. Cant complain about that.
I am on my 1st free replacement Maxx battery in 7 years on my K5. It died a little after 5 years. They gave me a brand new one for free.
Why do Wal mart batterys suck?

Yea thats all I buy. I love them. Never had a problem and if one dies take it back in and get a new one free.