confused and not sure how to explain

[crashman]

I will try and explain what happened.
I was driving yesterday and smelled a awful smell I thought was the cars in front of me since everything was working fine and no lights, when restarted the truck I heard what I would describe as a power streeing low fluid whine and my battery light was on, I lifted the hood and smelled kind of like a electrical burning smell or.. I went to napa and they did a voltage test then told me it came out as negative 2 volts, i bought a alternator and belt. here is the weird thing I started the truck to go home and now everything is back to normal!
I am wondering if it may be the belt or... i thought when a altinator goes bad it doesn't start working again?

 

[snowbrdr033]

You may have some sort of short in the electrical system that caused the lights to go on. I'd keep an eye on things and return the unused items so you aren't paying for unnecessary stuff.
I had my battery tested once and they said my alternator was bad. I waited a few weeks, rechecked at another location and they said everything was fine. Always good to get a second opinion before dropping alot of money! :flamethrwoer2:

 

[crashman]

thanks snowbrdr,
I need to check that out, you don't think mud could be shorting it out? I did power wash the engine when I got back a few weeks ago

 

[Stuffman]

thanks snowbrdr,
I need to check that out, you don't think mud could be shorting it out? I did power wash the engine when I got back a few weeks ago

I had a similar issue on a previous vehicle. It took a long time to find but it was oxidation between the battery and terminal connector. Something to check.

 

[crashman]

well I think I found out what the noise was, today I started up the truck and the battery light went on but no noise.
I had the electrical checked again it is 12.3 volts running.
how long are the alternators usually lasting?
I figure since the engine has 85450 on it i may as well replace the timing belt also get it all over with

 

[settytb]

I've heard bad stories of power washing and getting alternators really wet...if i'm washing the engine bay i try to avoid mine as much as possible...if I can i'll throw a plastic bag on it. But 12.5 is still too low...yours should be running 13 or closer to 14V usually. It sounds like the alternator to me.