Difficult to replace alternator on '03 6.0?
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Difficult to replace alternator on '03 6.0?
Hello All,
My Dad's 03 X 6.0 started acting up Friday night. The DVD player started to flash and the radio display started to dim. Once we were in the driveway I turned off the truck and when I tried to restart a few minutes later it made a loud clicking noise and wouldn't restart. This is my father's truck and he is currently fighting cancer and in no condition to fix it himself, physically or financially. I have a friend who has mechanical ability but has never worked on a giant diesel before. Everyone seems to think it's the alternator. If it is, Is this a fairly easy DIY fix?
I appreciate you time and input.
Sarah
My Dad's 03 X 6.0 started acting up Friday night. The DVD player started to flash and the radio display started to dim. Once we were in the driveway I turned off the truck and when I tried to restart a few minutes later it made a loud clicking noise and wouldn't restart. This is my father's truck and he is currently fighting cancer and in no condition to fix it himself, physically or financially. I have a friend who has mechanical ability but has never worked on a giant diesel before. Everyone seems to think it's the alternator. If it is, Is this a fairly easy DIY fix?
I appreciate you time and input.
Sarah
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Sarah-
Either the alternator is the culprit or possibly the belt simply broke and the alternator cannot do its' job. Either way the replacement is not a real difficult job. Are you sure this truck is out of warranty? It would be nice to let the dealer take care of it for you!
I hope all goes well for you and may God be with your dad!
Kevin
Either the alternator is the culprit or possibly the belt simply broke and the alternator cannot do its' job. Either way the replacement is not a real difficult job. Are you sure this truck is out of warranty? It would be nice to let the dealer take care of it for you!
I hope all goes well for you and may God be with your dad!
Kevin
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I am not sure if the serpentine belt, if this is the belt you are referring to, broke but I don't think so as when I charged it from my mustang it held a charge long enough to drive around the block then wouldn't start again. The truck has 60,000 miles so it is out of factory warranty.
Thank you for the kind words.
Sarah
Thank you for the kind words.
Sarah
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From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Austingirl
......The truck has 60,000 miles so it is out of factory warranty.
Thank you for the kind words.
Sarah
Thank you for the kind words.
Sarah
Was an extended warranty purchased?
Also, the alternator may be covered under the 5yr/100K mi engine warranty. There should be a booklet in the manual packet explaining what's covered and whats not.
Hope this helps....
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My parents didn't buy the extended warranty as our Mustang, Explorer, Expedition have all run without problems long past the warranty. I will check the manual when I get home. Great idea!
Thanks to everyone for their time and suggestions.
Sarah
Thanks to everyone for their time and suggestions.
Sarah
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Sarah-
As you can jump start the truck and run it around the block...but it will not restart again on its' own...I still think you are looking at one of the three that has been mentioned already. The alternator-the batteries(not as likely)- the belt(serpentine)
Years ago when on the road in sales I had a belt break on me and I was able to drive the car for several miles until I shut it off and then of course everything was dead as the alternator is not able to do its' job without the belt turning the pulley to charge the battery(ies). If I was closer to you I'd come help you fix it myself. If any of you on this list are so inclined.....I'm sure she'd appreciate your help. Us FTE have to stick together and help each other where we can!
Kevin
As you can jump start the truck and run it around the block...but it will not restart again on its' own...I still think you are looking at one of the three that has been mentioned already. The alternator-the batteries(not as likely)- the belt(serpentine)
Years ago when on the road in sales I had a belt break on me and I was able to drive the car for several miles until I shut it off and then of course everything was dead as the alternator is not able to do its' job without the belt turning the pulley to charge the battery(ies). If I was closer to you I'd come help you fix it myself. If any of you on this list are so inclined.....I'm sure she'd appreciate your help. Us FTE have to stick together and help each other where we can!
Kevin
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Kevin,
I am truly touched by your kindness! I have experienced great sadness in the past few months, sadness that I wouldn't wish upon anyone but today I’m temporarily distracted by the extraordinary kindness of a stranger. Thank you!
Sarah
I am truly touched by your kindness! I have experienced great sadness in the past few months, sadness that I wouldn't wish upon anyone but today I’m temporarily distracted by the extraordinary kindness of a stranger. Thank you!
Sarah
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Sarah-
In thinking of your truck problems.....it is certainly hard to diagnose from 1200 miles away.....but we try! Your issues could be something as simple as a loose ground to frame connection from your batteries. I forget that in the heat of the south y'all probably don't get 5-6 years on your batteries as we can in the north country....so I agree that a battery test should be done. Any of your local auto parts stores will usually do that for free. Just take your battery(ies) out and take them in and they can load test them for you. If one is found bad you might as well replace the pair right away.
I hope some of this helps in some small way and also that you continue to feel some hope for the day and the morrow. For today is tough enough....let someone else worry about tommorrow.
Kevin
In thinking of your truck problems.....it is certainly hard to diagnose from 1200 miles away.....but we try! Your issues could be something as simple as a loose ground to frame connection from your batteries. I forget that in the heat of the south y'all probably don't get 5-6 years on your batteries as we can in the north country....so I agree that a battery test should be done. Any of your local auto parts stores will usually do that for free. Just take your battery(ies) out and take them in and they can load test them for you. If one is found bad you might as well replace the pair right away.
I hope some of this helps in some small way and also that you continue to feel some hope for the day and the morrow. For today is tough enough....let someone else worry about tommorrow.
Kevin
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Not yet, but thanks for asking. My husband was in Las Vegas all of last week and just got a chance to look at it last night. We are going to have it towed to the dealership today. He put a battery charger on it and got it started, it ran for about 5 minutes and then electrical things started going out and the truck died. My husband would replace it but he doesn't know how difficult it will be to put back the serpentine belt. Is it just one belt and is the tensioner (SP) for that belt easily located?
Sarah
Sarah