Hoping this isn't the start of a bad news thread but, I'm scared it's going to be. For those reading this that don't know me, I'm far from an expert on even some of the basics on engines so bare with me as this may a stupid, obvious one. I've managed to get my knuckles dirty and fix a few things on this truck in the last year, but I'm just not an experienced wrench so I'm needing some direction.
I was driving 2 minutes after leaving my house and the truck just died as I rolled into an intersection. No noise, no clunk. Just a slow die out. I tried the key and nothing. Managed to get it rolled out of the way and starting thinking what it could be. I tried the key again and it clicked but didn't turn the engine, just like any vehicle will do when the battery is too weak to turn it over. I remembered I had just done the power steering box a few days ago and at one point during the fluid fill, it overflowed onto the alternator directly below. I cleaned it the best I could but I'm sure it got all over it and maybe onto the internals. So I'm thinking I probably killed the alternator and just ran until the battery died. I tried turning on the lights and nothing. Battery seemed totally dead.
I get the truck towed home and onto the street in front of my house. I normally park it up a small hill driveway and on a flat spot next to my house so I'm thinking I need to get it up there for the night. I took the battery out and put it on the charger and grabbed the battery out of my Sequoia and put it in the 55, figuring I would start it and I could drive it for 10 seconds up the hill and park it until I can swap the alternator out. Turn the key and SAME thing....one click on the starter and then nothing. It also seems like it's triggering some protection circuit or something because when I tried to turn the key again right after the light on the dash for charging doesn't light up and the starter doesn't even click. Got the 55 battery charged and back in, turned the key and same thing again. That's where it sits now, parked on the street and won't turn over.
I was going to grab a pry bar and see if the the motor would even spin, but it got dark and I had to do some other stuff to wrap up the weekend. So guys, what's my next move? I'm looking all over the house for my Haynes manual because I think there's a trouble shooting section at the end? lol. Need some guidance! I'm worried this thing is locked up and the starter is trying to turn and it can't because the motor is locked up. Finger's crossed that's not the problem!
Thanks in advance
I was driving 2 minutes after leaving my house and the truck just died as I rolled into an intersection. No noise, no clunk. Just a slow die out. I tried the key and nothing. Managed to get it rolled out of the way and starting thinking what it could be. I tried the key again and it clicked but didn't turn the engine, just like any vehicle will do when the battery is too weak to turn it over. I remembered I had just done the power steering box a few days ago and at one point during the fluid fill, it overflowed onto the alternator directly below. I cleaned it the best I could but I'm sure it got all over it and maybe onto the internals. So I'm thinking I probably killed the alternator and just ran until the battery died. I tried turning on the lights and nothing. Battery seemed totally dead.
I get the truck towed home and onto the street in front of my house. I normally park it up a small hill driveway and on a flat spot next to my house so I'm thinking I need to get it up there for the night. I took the battery out and put it on the charger and grabbed the battery out of my Sequoia and put it in the 55, figuring I would start it and I could drive it for 10 seconds up the hill and park it until I can swap the alternator out. Turn the key and SAME thing....one click on the starter and then nothing. It also seems like it's triggering some protection circuit or something because when I tried to turn the key again right after the light on the dash for charging doesn't light up and the starter doesn't even click. Got the 55 battery charged and back in, turned the key and same thing again. That's where it sits now, parked on the street and won't turn over.
I was going to grab a pry bar and see if the the motor would even spin, but it got dark and I had to do some other stuff to wrap up the weekend. So guys, what's my next move? I'm looking all over the house for my Haynes manual because I think there's a trouble shooting section at the end? lol. Need some guidance! I'm worried this thing is locked up and the starter is trying to turn and it can't because the motor is locked up. Finger's crossed that's not the problem!
Thanks in advance