When I turn my key on to get ready to start the truck it's only showing 10 volts. Should I be rushing out to grab a new one or just wait till it dies.

 

Is the 10v on a hand-held meter or a dash gauge?
Is the battery old, like 5 yrs?


You could try to charge it, if you have the means.


Also look for well over 14vdc to be read at the battery terminals, with the engine running, to be sure that the alternator is putting out.
Don't let yourself get stuck.

 

I'm just looking at the gauge on the dash showing lower than it should. Estimating the actual number. When the truck is running, I'm getting the 14 I should.

The battery is stamped with 2001 so it's old. I doubt my charger will touch it.

 

If after it's been on charge for a few hours it still only shows 10v then it has a dead cell and will need to be replaced.

 

Any recommendations on a replacement?

 

Interstate seems good.

 

Will the battery crank the motor? If so then your dash gauge estimate is off because a battery with a dead cell wouldn't do that.

 

It shows below the N before I crank it. Then I crank it up and it goes over half way within seconds.

 

Forget the dash gauge, measure the battery voltage with a multimeter before and after starting the engine.

 

The factory voltmeter, like EVERY other gauge on the panel (even the tach and speedo), shows you an estimate. If you want a more precise reading of anything those gauges are measuring you have to do it yourself. Not just these trucks that do it, I ain't EVER seen a factory gauge on any vehicle that was accurate.

I laughed when I saw you had a battery from 2001. Down here the heat woulda killed it 4 times over. You get 2-3 years out of a battery before it leaves you somewhere you don't want to stay at... like out in the woods when the skeeters are fixin' to come out, or in a parking lot just before it's time for the regularly scheduled afternoon thunderstorm.

Better get that thing replaced even if it IS still good. I wouldn't trust it even if it don't get that hot where you are.

 

2001? Sure, replace it. I'm not a fan of trying to wring every single last electron out of a battery in a modern vehicle. Too much potential for causing expensive component failure apart from being stranded.

 

2001? I've replace 3 batteries in my truck since then. LOL! Wow bro, you sure squeezed all the electrons outta that one,eh. Time for an Optima! LOL!

 

I expect he probably really meant 2011?

 

Even with my new battery (it was a cold winter), it will drop to around the N on the factory gauge while starting. Although with the truck off, the multimeter reads mid 12's like it should. Get a meter reading to know for sure, but I'd keep a spare battery in the truck for when it finally calls it good. Especially since your current battery is about 14 years old.

 

if that's not a typo, and the battery really IS from 2001 then you need to pull it out of there and put it in some kinda battery hall of fame. it has done it's duty and then some.

as for buying a new one, that's easy ... get the best you can afford.