I have 98 4x4 standard transmission. Just got done travelling 1000 kms to see a wedding stopped to ask directions and starter won't work. 4.6 L would start with slight push and run good for couple minutes all gauges would work. Then all gauges would drop to zero including speedometer and the engine would quit after running for approx.10 minutes. Battery shows 11.3 Volts. Any ideas on what to try first would be greatly appreciated.

 

What voltage are you getting when the truck is running?

 

Sounds like the alternator is bad and probably took the battery to a very low level. How old is the battery, and how old is the alternator. ? Did you have an alternator light on or a low reading on the volt gauge. Try charging the battery and see what happens. I've been through 4 alternators in 215,000 miles on my 97 4.6L

 

It is most likely the alternator, since you can not continue running down the road. If it was the battery the alternator output would keep you going.

This alt has the regulator and brushes built into it as an assembly, but any piece can be bought from the parts stores. The alternator commutator end wear badly and won't allow good contact, so you would be better to change out the whole alternator assy and not repair the old one. Once you pull the 4 torx screws and pull out the assy, you can see the windings and riding end for the brushes. This is where they go bad. If its all grooved or damaged, you'll need to replace the assy as a whole.

I'd charge the battery and have someone check the output of the alternator at the battery. If you are under 13.6 your alternator is not working correctly. It should actually read around 14.1 or so, depending on how the vehicle is equipped with accessories.

Good luck.

 

dead alternator changed it and works good. I live in manitoba and went to a wedding in edmonton alberta. The truck started coughing and sputtering about 3 intersections away from my uncles place in edmonton. talk about close ones the only thing that saved me was the downhill to my uncles.