Motor died while driving

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

smurfslayer

Be vewwy, vewwy quiet. We’re hunting sasquatch77
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Posts
17,554
Reaction score
27,029
The Tech is on the ground with your truck. We’re all speculating. Due deference to the actual tech on site.
 
OP
OP
S

slimwhitman

Member
Joined
May 25, 2021
Posts
24
Reaction score
23
Location
Colorado
The Tech is on the ground with your truck. We’re all speculating. Due deference to the actual tech on site.
This is before looking at the truck. I was trying to avoid a diagnosis if I could just put a battery in it myself. My tow bill was $1700 so trying to save anything I can….

I was just curious if FordTechs explanation would cause it to shut off while driving even with alternator supplying power.
 

GordoJay

FRF Addict
Joined
Feb 8, 2020
Posts
7,439
Reaction score
15,891
Location
Colorado
So test the battery. That's a logical first step. If you can't do that yourself, you need a tech anyway so you might as well take it in. Part swapping is a really crude and expensive technique for fixing things.
 

smurfslayer

Be vewwy, vewwy quiet. We’re hunting sasquatch77
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Posts
17,554
Reaction score
27,029
Thanks for clarifying. +1 @GordoJay
You spend a few bucks getting a battery test, you rule the battery in or out. Or you spend a few more bucks on a new battery and hope it is the cause, and if it’s not, you’ve spent that money on a part that only marginally needed replacing.

How the heck was towing $1700?
 

The Car Stereo Company

aka grumpy car stereo guy and frf rolodex
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Posts
32,612
Reaction score
23,657
Location
here, on frf
This is before looking at the truck. I was trying to avoid a diagnosis if I could just put a battery in it myself. My tow bill was $1700 so trying to save anything I can….

I was just curious if FordTechs explanation would cause it to shut off while driving even with alternator supplying power.
ford road side assistance is a free tow to a dealership. i just used it on my gen one a couple months ago
 
OP
OP
S

slimwhitman

Member
Joined
May 25, 2021
Posts
24
Reaction score
23
Location
Colorado
ford road side assistance is a free tow to a dealership. i just used it on my gen one a couple months ago
I was a little limited on my options to figure out at the moment. I was in a winter storm on a mountain pass with no service. Only way I was able to make a call was someone stopped with a sat phone then had to leave. The battery is definitely dead as a door nail now after sitting in my truck for 7 hours in weather that was in the teens trying to stay warm and keep my phone charged.

I’m not trying to diagnose the truck just trying to gather opinions and get background on this. I was a mechanic in a past life and now an engineer. I just like to understand this kind of stuff instead of blindly give my truck to a dealership that I’ve already had challenges with in the past.
 

The Car Stereo Company

aka grumpy car stereo guy and frf rolodex
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Posts
32,612
Reaction score
23,657
Location
here, on frf
I was a little limited on my options to figure out at the moment. I was in a winter storm on a mountain pass with no service. Only way I was able to make a call was someone stopped with a sat phone then had to leave. The battery is definitely dead as a door nail now after sitting in my truck for 7 hours in weather that was in the teens trying to stay warm and keep my phone charged.

I’m not trying to diagnose the truck just trying to gather opinions and get background on this. I was a mechanic in a past life and now an engineer. I just like to understand this kind of stuff instead of blindly give my truck to a dealership that I’ve already had challenges with in the past.
i see you are in colorado. im currently in thornton. which dealership did you go to?
 

The Car Stereo Company

aka grumpy car stereo guy and frf rolodex
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Posts
32,612
Reaction score
23,657
Location
here, on frf
Phil Long Ford in Motor City
thats your problem right there. i have have horrible experiences with phil long. when i lived in the springs i always drove up to groove ford on arapahoe in denver for anything service related. i would avoid phil long at all costs
 

GordoJay

FRF Addict
Joined
Feb 8, 2020
Posts
7,439
Reaction score
15,891
Location
Colorado
thats your problem right there. i have have horrible experiences with phil long. when i lived in the springs i always drove up to groove ford on arapahoe in denver for anything service related. i would avoid phil long at all costs
+1 Saying that Phil Long Ford sucks is like saying that the Mona Lisa is a painting ... and don't bother trying Chapel Hills. They're worse than Motor City.
 
Top