Altenator or What???

[rhorst2000]

I have a 1996 4.3L Ext Cab 4WD Chevy S-10 - Twice this has happeded - I can drive it and the Battery light will come on and the battery will drain as if the alt. is bad.
I was stranded - a guy stopped and gave me a jump - I drove as far as I could when the Battery drained and the engine stalled - This time I had to walk to a friends house and get him to give me a jump - when it started the indicator showed me that the battery is now charging, and ran fine till I got home (23 miles) - this happeded 2x's both times the alt. indicator read positive charge after the truck sat awhile prior to jumping - What's going ON!!!! The connections are tight. Is the alt. over heating? It dones't feel warm.

[rhorst2000]

I have a 1996 4.3L Ext Cab 4WD Chevy S-10 - Twice this has happeded - I can drive it and the Battery light will come on and the battery will drain as if the alt. is bad.
I was stranded - a guy stopped and gave me a jump - I drove as far as I could when the Battery drained and the engine stalled - This time I had to walk to a friends house and get him to give me a jump - when it started the indicator showed me that the battery is now charging, and ran fine till I got home (23 miles) - this happeded 2x's both times the alt. indicator read positive charge after the truck sat awhile prior to jumping - What's going ON!!!! The connections are tight. Is the alt. over heating? It dones't feel warm.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by rhorst2000

I have a 1996 4.3L Ext Cab 4WD Chevy S-10 - Twice this has happeded - I can drive it and the Battery light will come on and the battery will drain as if the alt. is bad.
I was stranded - a guy stopped and gave me a jump - I drove as far as I could when the Battery drained and the engine stalled - This time I had to walk to a friends house and get him to give me a jump - when it started the indicator showed me that the battery is now charging, and ran fine till I got home (23 miles) - this happeded 2x's both times the alt. indicator read positive charge after the truck sat awhile prior to jumping - What's going ON!!!! The connections are tight. Is the alt. over heating? It dones't feel warm.

I think it is time to have the alternator tested out.

[DelCoch]

I think you have a bad battery. Have both the battery and alternator checked at AutoZone, etc.

[old_master]

When the red battery light comes on, the alternator is not charging. As MT said, have the alternator tested.