Help Troubleshooting (something is borke, I think)

[White97SVT]

Well I drove about 40 miles on the highway, with the cruise set at 70mph. Went to the mall and back, then parked the truck. Everything seemed fine when i was driving it, Volt normal, oil press, and water all looked good.

Then i went to go to my gf's house last night jumped in the truck started it up got out of my drive way and down the street a problably 50yards or so and I heard this awfull noise coming through the speakers. It sounded like the fan or something was about to come apart. I don't remember looking at the oil pressure gauge or not to see if i lost pressure so i can't say for sure. I turned around a quick as i could and headed back to my house. I was careful not to make any boost or anything for fear of really breaking something.

I get to my house and pop the hood to see if something is coming apart, and about 2 seconds after i do that, the truck just cuts off. I try to restart it, but the truck wont start. The battery doesn't seem dead cause I have all the lights and I can hear the IC pump working when i turn the key to on. The check engine light doesn't flash any codes. But when i try to turn it over all I get is a wrrr and then nothing. Oh, I checked all the fluids and I have radiator fuild, the tranny is fine, and there is no water or chunkiness in the oil, and the oil doesn't smell burt either.

Could i have lost my oil pump, and killed the motor?
Could my alt have died and the battery be dead?
Could i have killed my starter too and that's why it wont turn?

What are some things I can do to check some of these things out. Should I crawl under it and put a wrench on the crank and see if i can move that by hand. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to everyone,

Lee

 

[sytyguy]

I wouldn't start sweating too much just yet. Need to rule out the obvious first.

Fuses....any of them popped?
Battery....got good voltage and CCA/CA?
Fuel pump....does it cut on and then off properly when keyed on?
Does the starter just click or does it turn over but never actually start?
Does anything act wacky electrically (radio, lights, etc...)?

I'm leaning towards something electrical since the sound was emitted thru the speakers. For the truck to just die and not restart....9 times out of 10, it's electrical.

Check the obvious and let us know back.

Michael

 

[White97SVT]

I had a chance to look at the truck this morning. I checked all of the fuses and everything was ok. I check the Battery and that was good too. Fuel pump turned on and off like normal.

I turned my attention to the alternator. Since that was the side i heard the noise coming from when I popped the hood. I figured i would take the belt off and try and start it like that and see if it would even turnover then.
Well after i took the belt off before i started the truck i checked all of the pulley's for easy movement. They all turned but the alternator pulley. I had to really turn it hard to get it to move at all. Then it spun for a little, but would still hang up.
I tried to start the truck without the belt for a second, and it started fine. So i guess i am going to be looking for a new alternator. I am going to use the search function to see what others are using, but if anyone can make a suggestion or two that would be great. Thanks again guys.
Oh how big of an alternator should I run?

Lee

 

[sytyguy]

The stock unit (100A) is good for stock equipment (clutch fan, stock stereo, etc...), but when you upgrade to more gauges, better stereo, electric fan, etc....you'd be surprised how easily it can be pulled down. I always like to go overboard with electrical stuff (that's the one thing I'm not cheap about), and with alternators more is essentially better.

Check these threads for more on what people are using:

http://www.syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24895&highlight=alternator
http://www.syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24791&highlight=alternator
http://www.syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22605&highlight=alternator

HTHs

Michael

 

[Captain Morgan]

Lee,

I sugguest NOT going to a Pepboys, Autozone, ect kinda place. I did that in a pinch little over a year ago when my original starter crapped out and 7 months later that alternator crapped out as well and left me stranded.

 

[Falco]

I'm using a 140A unit from Powermaster and I'm really happy with it.

Later,

 

[White97SVT]

Hey guys thanks for the help and info. The truck is up and running agian. It's great nice smooth idle and no more noise.