Battery/alternator/something electrical???

[philthyphil]

So my wife got stranded in her '99 and here's where I am. Any help appreciated...

So when I turn the key, all I get is one click. She tried to jump it before the tow truck got there and it would start but then die when the jumper lead was removed. I got the same. If I wiggle the contacts at the battery with the key to the "on" position I get all the bells and whistles like she's going to start but then just a click when I turn to "ign" and nothing. Then I have to wiggle the terminals at the battery to get it to reset. When i do this i here a motor running somewhere in the engine bay, but not the big one. The battery tested at 48% and is being charged at the local parts store. Any thoughts on what this could be? The battery tested good on my meter and it's only got 110k on the odo so it shouldn't be the alternator... We have also had the phantom, driving down the road and it shuts down, pull over and it starts right back up. I thought it was just a one time thing but my wife says it's happening about once a month, but never a problem with it firing right back up. Loose wire somewhere? Thoughts?

 

[philthyphil]

Got the battery back with a clean bill of health. Truck starts. Afraid the battery will just drain while be driven. Thoughts? Couldn't be the alternator???

 

[Sandroad]

I'm not clear about the age of the battery? If it's the original '99, replace it, even if only 110K miles on the truck. If the battery has 110K on it, then it's probably at least 5-6 years old, so replace it anyway. Some of the symptoms you have could be caused by a failing battery. Batteries are difficult to test properly and the auto parts store may or may not know what they are doing (in spite of what their testing equipment reads out). A search of the Forum may show other's solutions to the intermittent shut-down issue, but I suggest replacing the battery first.

 

[philthyphil]

I'm not clear on the age of the battery so I didn't mention it. The truck has 110k on it, we just bought the truck last year and the battery was in it. I am aware of the search function, I just thought the "phantom shut off" would help someone help me diagnose.

 

[agaisin]

Take it to local mechanic or parts store to get the free battery/charger/starter diagnostic test. If it's the alternator it should be apparent in the diagnostic test. I wouldn't assume your alternator's good just b/c it's got only 110k.

I had a recent thread about starting issues and for me, it turned out that my terminals/leads/posts must have had some corrosion or something preventing it from getting full charge when driving. So with high current at startup it would start, but then when charging while driving with lower current it wouldn't charge fully. Granted not exactly the same as your issue, but never hurts to clean up your battery terminals etc (really all the terminals/connections to/from the battery including everything to/from starter and alternator etc).