What is wrong with my truck?

Question

I was listening to the radio in my 1997 F-150 4.2L 6 cyl truck for about ten minutes tonight without the engine running. I went to start it, but it didn't have the juice. I got a jump from some lady, but I noticed that even though the engine was running, the red battery problem light was on. I was one mile from home, and the entire time the headlights were getting more and more dim. Also, the lights that indicate problems with various parts of the truck started to turn on. By the time I made it home, my engine was acting sluggish, the lights were off completely, all the engine problem lights were on and a beeping noise was coming out of the dash. As I pulled into my driveway, the engine stalled and turned off.

I haven't had any problems with my battery before this, and with my small knowledge of cars, it seems like the alternator died. What do you think?

Answer 1

It's the alternator. Nothing you can do but replace it.

Answer 2

Definitely sounds like a bad battery and a weak alternator. If your battery is more than 5 or 7 years old, replace it and have the alternator checked in the process. Batteries for your truck shouldn't cost any more than $100.00 and the shop can test the your alternator when you install the battery.

Answer 3

try this before you put out alot of money for things you might not need...think about this/radio drains battery/ jump starts it but lights and radio redrained it before it could get back up on the way home 1 mile away...so first ........clean the terminals and make sure you have a good connection, a loose ground can cause it to do that even if the alt (no gauge??? dummy light!!) and bat are good. check to make sure the belt is tight, charge the battery and then run down to the local auto parts house(autozone/shucks/kragens etc) and have them do a load test( it's free) then you will know if it is the battery or the alt.

everyone jumped on the alt being bad because they have had to replace their's before but was their's due to a bad ground,belt, alt,or battery?? you decide. I always chose to go cheap first.

Answer 4

you are probably right. today's cars/trucks will turn off different items as the the battery dies trying to keep the vehicle going. so even though you had it jumped with the alternator not putting out or charging the battery the vehicle was running off the battery only. you can take both the battery and the alternator out and have them check at most auto parts store(auto zone, advance).don't be surprise if they are both bad.

Answer 5

Classic alternator problems. It stopped charging your battery so your car was running off just that. As the power gets lower and lower you start to lose electrical devices, your engine started getting sluggish as the spark plugs started getting insufficient electrical power. Alternators are usually pretty easy to replace and are not to expensive

Answer 6

Seems like it could be both the battery and alternator. I was told the alternator can drain a battery.

Answer 7

i`m not up with the newer stuff much,with all the computer junk, but its possible ,a regulater, or alternator.. may be some sort of computer module. get a boost later,see if it starts, turn every thing off, let run awhile to see if that charges the battery up,or go to someone who has,a diagnostic machine!! good luck,could be very costly!! let us know when you find sucsess!!

Answer 8

probably a bad alternator but u can test it by your self. charge your battery and fire up your car. Then take one of your terminals off the battery if the car dies its probably your alternator.

Answer 9

you have a bad alternator... the battery cranks the truck and the alternator keeps it going... if the alternator isn't puttinf out enought voltage then the truck will start shutting off...get a new alternator

Answer 10

Alternator problem, easily replaced. Good Luck!

Answer 11

alternator