New Alternator Possibly?

[t_doody]

I went to start my truck a few days ago and it's dead. This is the second time. The first time it happened I left my cell phone charger going in the aux charger that had been installed in the truck so I bought a new battery and everything worked just fine and I hadn't driven my truck for a few days and I went to start it and it won't start, I don't even get a noise. The inside cab light works though so I think there may be some juice left in the battery just not enough to start it. I am thinking that I should replace the alternator however I don't know how many volts I would need.

My truck is a 72 F-100 390 V8 if that helps.

Thanks
Tiffany

[fordman]

turn on the headlights and see how bright they are. that will tell you if the battery is dead or down enough. some crank problems can be dirty connections on the battery the starter relay or even down on the starter. it could also be a bad starter relay. the stock alt sizes on these trucks range from 45 i think up to 65. or you can do a 3 g or 2 g conversion. or even a one wire alt. but charging issuses arent always the alternator. the regulator tells the alternator how much and when to charge. all the alt does is charge. so if the regulator is bad then the alt wont charge. you can have them tested on or off of the truck at most parts stores to determine the problem with either part. i went through throwing parts at my wifes car and spent 100.00 in no time flat. only to find out that i bought a starter i didnt need. i knew i should have rechecked the ignition switch.

[mrsnicks]

Yeah. I would suspect the voltage regulator before I would the alternator.

Patrick

[t_doody]

I know that the dome light was pretty dim. I will check the headlights this afternoon when they keys to the truck come home.