My Truck just Died!

I'm driving down the road and it just shuts off like you turned the ignition off, dash lights still on. Still rolling at 30 mph and no power steering or anything , I was able to roll into a shopping center and just get into a parking spot. If I try to start it almost starts like its sort of firing but never actually starts running. Truck is 11 years old with 101k on it and has never let me down. I'm going to go back with my scan tool and see if I can get some codes. I'll come back to this if / when I have more info. Thoughts? EDIT It's good now. ck post #10 for the outcome and try not to laugh.

 

Id check the alternator first. Same thing happened to me in my e90 335i.. sketch as hell

 

Seems like you would get some warning / light? How would I check it if it doesn't run? It turns over fine, strong battery. Funny I also have a E90 335! Thats usually the vehicle I'm working on.

 

The 4.0 has a chain and not a belt. Unlikely that is your cause, I’m betting it’s something fairly obvious. Check your battery, grounds, alternator output first. Crank over slow manually and listen/feel for noise/resistance if you fear a timing chain.

 

Yes just found that out. I deleted that part of the OP. Doesn't the engine need to be running to check the alternator output? If I run jumper cables from another vehicle that is running would it run if my alternator is bad. I know my battery is good it turns over strong.

 

you can remove the alternator and test it or bring it to a place to have it tested. But to check the output on the truck yes it needs to be running.

 

If it cranks it should run not the alternators fault.

 

a bad diode wheel can cause noise in the controls feedback and alternating signals such as crank and cam position sensors can give erroneous feedback. It is rare but can occur.

 

Start by troubleshooting the basics: power, spark, fuel, air.

 

Read the whole post before LOL. It ran out of fuel!! Here's the catch the gas guage wasn't on E. It was showing 1/8 tank. I had checked fuses, tried my other key to make sure it wasnt the immobilizer etc. Checked vacuum lines, connectors. Called AAA and a great local shop to have it towed to. The guy comes out and says its the alternator. It cranks over just fine then he says the fuel pump. He says maybe it ran out of fuel?? I say look its not showing empty. He says lets put 2 gal of fuel in it and see. I say sure (its $6/gal here). So the first couple cranks nothing which I expected. Third times a charm they say! I let it crank for longer and pressed the pedal and it fired to life! Hallelujah! Hot Dog! Son of a gun its good. So my gas guage is not working properly now, After he put the 2 gal in its still right where it was. I put another 3.5 gal in ($20) and it creeped up a bit. I didnt fill it now because the close gas station is a rip off Over $6/gal. I'll hit costco in a day or two to top it off. Case closed - Out of gas. I'll take the faulty gas guage. I was thinking the worst. Wheeeew Edit This is my new issue > https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fuel-guage-issues.420006/

 

Diodes are stationary, worst case with a bad diode low charge rate and noise in the radio.

 

They are, but a failed or failing rectifier diode can result in more than just a low charge rate, it can cause excessive ripple current and transients on the B+ output.