Ok I am a little stumped.
It all started when a buddy borrowed the truck and he drove it to the dump and then it didn't want to start when he got there. So it didn't want to run when it was hot. He was able to jump it and drive it home.

The next day in the morning I went up and it started right up and I drove it to work. Later in the day, I drove a short distance and then tried to start it soon after and it didn't want to start again. I got a jump but then a ground wire burned up, I think it was the one that goes to the starter.
It finally started but I had to keep gassing it to get it home, it wanted to die the whole way. I fixed the ground wire when I got home.

I was able to start it later but noticed some slightly larger voltage drop than I liked and it behaved like it really wanted to die. And so I decided to try replacing the alternator. It fixed the problem mostly and I was able to use it on a long haul for a day with lots of stopping and starting. The one thing that didn't quite make sense is that there seemed to be an unusually long delay on the voltage getting back up on the battery after starting.

But today I tried to start it and I'm hearing the starter clicking but nothing else is happening. I'm really worried that its some type of bad ground that is draining the battery. I'm about to go get some more information and test some things but if anyone has anything specific to check I would love to hear it.

I have looked through this forum quite a bit and I really appreciate everyone contributing I have been helped out a bunch.

 

More likely the voltage regulator has failed. Unfortunately, it's embedded in the PCM.....

Give it a jump, get it running, and see where voltage is at. A weak charging system WILL give you idling issues...... the system is very dependent on seeing the correct voltages, if it doesn't, it gets confused.

 

And it could still be that even if I had that whole day where it ran well?

Also this is the negative battery terminal. Is this substance leaking possibly due to under charging? Or is this a good sign the battery is shot?

 

Ok the plot thickens. I pull a 12.5 or so charge off the battery with no drop between the altinator and the battery. Then I pul of the negitive battery terminal to check out that bubbling and then I put it back on and it starts right up like a champ. I'm still only getting 13.5 off the battery with a. 3 drop from the alternator. Any ideas?

 

Clean the battery terminals and clamps REALLY well. May just solve your problems.

 

OK just did that. Still only getting 13.8 when it's running 13.5 with lights ect on and 12.5 when it's sitting. We will see if it has trobble starting again or if thoes bubbles return. Thanks!

 

13.5 is actually considered in the acceptable range

 

O damn your right, I just checked. I'm kinda suprised.

 

Why? Anything over 14 volts would start blowing fuses

 

Wait, are you expecting me to think about things logically!?