New guy here...I own a 1999 F150 w/4.6 triton. Had a local mechanic install a new thermostat and in the process he let about half a gallon of coolant run directly into the altenator....now my instrument panel gauges are going crazy, battery light is on and charging system possibly overcharging, and tonite my headlites quit working! thank God I was on my street and the running lights still worked... Has this moron ruined my altenator and how come my lights quit working??

 

Possibly yes, what has happened is the coolent is probly in the brushes and is stikier then water. When you started it the water probly shorted with the alternaotr, the dash lights are because there is no alternaot power just the battery, have it tested for free at advanced auto, then you will know for sure.

 

I'll head to Advanced first thing in the a.m.! Thanks for the quick response! I appreciate it.

 

Make sure your mechanic pays for it if it was indeed the issue.

 

That's why I trust one person to work on my truck......me!

 

x2 and my father.

 

X3 Nobody touches my truck...If it's gonna get messed up...it's gonna be by me.

 

Well see, now that brings up another point about the problems with mechanics. If they bugger something up, they will hide it to avoid having to cover the cost of replacing the part. We find out about it when we're sitting on the side of a road out in God's country somewhere,...and you now realize that your cell is in that jacket you left at the door...not that old man Murphy would let you get a signal in a situation like that.
Anyway, if we mess something up...and it happens, we fix it or at least know that the repair is needed.

 

The altenator was ruined and the guy manned up and replaced it at no cost to me. I failed to mention I was also having my tires balance and rotated, plus it was 40 degrees outside and pouring rain, added to the fact I have no garage to work in so yeh I let someone else touch my truck.

 

Let that be a lesson learned....