I leave for work this morning and I start up my truck:

The emergency brake light and the battery light flicker. The voltage gauge reads lower than normal. Maybe 9-10 volts if I had to guess. I'm assuming normal would be 12-13 volts.

My gut tells me this is the alternator. However Googling shows that to possibly be a culprit, but there could be a host of other issues. I've had bad batteries on this truck before and none ever showed these symptoms. The battery in the truck isn't that old. I've probably gone through 4 batteries or so since I bought the truck new nearly 14 years ago.

Thoughts? I took my wife's car to work today (luckily she's a teacher and off work this week for spring break). I'm hesitant to drive my truck anywhere--even to Autozone or OReilly's to have them check it for fear of getting stranded. I don't have an OBD scanner.

Thoughts?

Where do you live? Maybe you can borrow one.

CStewTAMU said:

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I leave for work this morning and I start up my truck:

The emergency brake light and the battery light flicker. The voltage gauge reads lower than normal. Maybe 9-10 volts if I had to guess. I'm assuming normal would be 12-13 volts.

My gut tells me this is the alternator. However Googling shows that to possibly be a culprit, but there could be a host of other issues. I've had bad batteries on this truck before and none ever showed these symptoms. The battery in the truck isn't that old. I've probably gone through 4 batteries or so since I bought the truck new nearly 14 years ago.

Thoughts? I took my wife's car to work today (luckily she's a teacher and off work this week for spring break). I'm hesitant to drive my truck anywhere--even to Autozone or OReilly's to have them check it for fear of getting stranded. I don't have an OBD scanner.

Thoughts?

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Likely the alternator. Start with the easy stuff first.

Go to AZ or OR and buy a battery charger... and one with the ability to check the alternator output. Or, be prepared to pay for a tow if you drive the car their to have them check the battery and alternator. leave the car running when you run in for assistance. If they test the battery/alternator with the vehicle off/not running... they can jumpo start your car t get you home. Me thinks that f anything is "bad" you're buying it right then.

Purchase a better battery??

Good luck.

Alternator. Also test battery.