Joe Otis

Hello all... this is a first time post for me but i've been reading these forums for quite some time.... but after doing a search, I need more info on diagnosing why my truck finally bit the bullet! Here's the scoop:

2nd gen 3.slow with 190,000 mi - heard some minor squealing while driving but would go away as rpm increased. Then as I was heading home, I had to make a u-turn and then the engine cut out, the brake, Battery, and check engine light comes on, lost all p/s and brakes and coasted into a gas station. Engine would crank, but then a loud eeeeeeeeee squealing sound would come, the engine would shut off, and the oh so slight smell of burning rubber. Engine oil level (dip stick) was fine, HG was done at 90k, and timing belt, distributor, rotor etc were done at 180k. Also, the tension on all the belts are within spec as well. I've been experiencing oil leaks at the rear main seal and p/s pump leak problems as well (replaced pump and pressure line) and the A/C compressor has been going intermittently working too. I found some good info on the "search" about possible bearings on the alternator and other pulleys that may cause the engine to seize like that too but I need some clarification... I don't even have p/s when the ignition is in the "on" position as well... Please, any advice would be great... this truck has gotten me between el paso and seattle for a number of years w/o a problem, now i get to northern cali and don't really have anyone to turn to for help yet!
thanks in advance for any help/advice...

joe

ChickenLover

It sounds like a siezed pulley to me (probably alt). It's probably been seized for a while and the belt was just coasting on top of it. That would explain the loss of power (your battery probably finally ran out of juice cause it wasn't getting anthing from the seized alt.). Have someone turn it over while you keep an eye under the hood for the pulley that isn't spinning. Hook up some jumper cables if it doesn't have enough power to turn itself over.

Joe Otis

thanks chickenlover.... i'm gonna check the pulleys as well as everything else under the hood some time later this week.

gwhayduke

I agree with Chicken...I think you got off lucky and it's probably your alternator. There are really only 7 options...

Alternator
AC Compressor
AC Idler Pulley
Power steering pump

Water pump
Idler Pulley #1
Idler Pulley #2

The last 3 require disassembly of the front of the engine and replacement of the timing belt.

Figit090

wait a sec...you lost the brakes too?? what??? how come?? i don't know much about the braking system, but i didn't know you'd lose it with an alternator...is is all electrical now??

gwhayduke

You lose brakes when the engine stops running...They are vacuum boosted.

Joe Otis

Thanks for all the input!... looks like the Alt pulley or one of the others, I'm gonna pull the belt off the Alternator one first to see how it runs. but any ideas why I lose p/s when the ignition is in the "run" position w/o the engine running? or am I mistaken that it should be on? anyways... hopefully I can get this done this weekend!

Joe

flecker

PS pump runs off a belt, losing it is normal when the engine stalls or dies. Take all the belts off and see if you can spin the pulleys by hand... when you find one thats real tough or stuck you'll know wich one you need to swap out.

Only one you won't be able to move is the crank pulley (the big one w/ 3 belt lines)