1999 Ranger Sport 3L engine.

Was driving home (Saturday Night) from work. Was running low on gas, was going to stop and fill up.

Highway speed on a parkway, no problems showing on dashboard. Truck had been running just fine and have had no issues.

Truck engine began to "rumble" and a rapid loss and fade of power, loss of speed. Coasted towards upcoming exit ramp. Looked at dash and found:

Check engine light
check guages light
Temp guage OK
No oil pressure by the gauge
Low battery by the guage.

While truck was coasting, engine died. Was able to put into nuetral and restart. Same dash indications as above. Engine continued to "rumble".

Limped into parking lot, and engine died again.
Attempted to jump start and engine will not turnover. Battery was still good to use dome light, hazards etc, but not turn over engine, even charging and jumping.

Got towed home. Using older heater style battery tester, battery checks out. Checked all fuses ( in cab and under hood), none found bad. After charging, all accessories work AOK. But when turning the ignition, even with 225 starting amp charger, will not turn over.

Will have a few hours Sunday to poke around with it. My mechanic doesn't open up until Monday.

What direction should I be looking in, until I can get it to shop?

Bad starter- Why would truck ' rumble' and die?
Bad alternator- Why can't I get it to turn over with more than adequate assistance?

Something I am overlooking?

Thanks for any help.

Edit: Didn't run out of gas, was just running low. Mention it to try to include all details leading up to my problem.

 

When you try to start it, does it click and try to turn over, or does it do nothing? If it clicks, then see if you can turn the motor manually with a socket on the crankshaft pulley. If you cant' turn it manually, the starter won't be able to either as the motor has internal issues.
If it doesn't click, then check the starter relay, but that won't have anything to do with the way it was running when it died on u.

 

What is the oil level in the crankcase? The "no oil pressure" indication and some of the other symptoms you list suggest an engine that has locked up to lack of lubrication.

 

if the engine was seized you would still hear the starter slamming into the flywheel ! can you hear the starter engaging the flywheel?.........you need to get the codes read!