electrical...something

[my1tonrat]

My truck has been starting funny lately.  It barely turns and it clicks almost like the battery is dead, then fires and starts (all within about 3 seconds).  Sounded worse than before when I left work today, so when I got home, I turned it off and tried to start it.  Nothing, just a few clicks then nothing until the terminals started to smoke. 

Yesterday the battery was charging 13.6V at idle, and showing 12.5when off.  I recently (few weeks ago) installed a new alternator (charged at 14.4V after install).  I have to double check that the belt has not loosened.  Also, I had the starting system checked prior to putting in the alternator and the battery is an 880CCA putting out 895CCA, and they said the starter was fine, too.

Aside from the past few days I have not had any problems with the alternator install.  Is it possible for a short to show up this late, and be intermittant? 

I should also mention that the truck has been only occationally used lately (maybe 300mi in 6 months), and even today after the weird hard start, it ran fine once it started.

Thanks for any input

[VileZambonie]

clean and tighten your battery connections. Jump start it and see if it starts any better.

[Lt.Del]

What does your voltmeter guage say when running?  If it is putting out at least 13 volts, I'd say it isn't in the alternator.  Like Vile said, connections.   Check connections at battery AND at the starter solenoid. Make sure the nuts are tight there.  Also, inspect your battery cables to ensure you don't have a grounding problem.  Not long ago, My positive cable from battery to starter burned in two when I rubbed up against the frame of the truck.

[Blazin]

Sounds like a bad connection at the starter or battery. Are the terminals in good shape? Check the cables out. They might be corroded down inside. I have seen them have green bad spots in the middle from a little hole in the wire insulation.

[zieg85]

Sounds like a bad connection at the starter or battery. Are the terminals in good shape? Check the cables out. They might be corroded down inside. I have seen them have green bad spots in the middle from a little hole in the wire insulation.

I would bet a green crustly + battery cable all the way down to the starter, my $.02

[cracker0169]

GROUND! It sounds like a bad ground. My k10 was about the same way and I replaced terminals to better fit the wire.