What else can go wrong?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
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From: Des Moines, IA
What else can go wrong?
3 days ago I finally made the decision to run a bit of B10 through one tank in hopes of cleaning things up a bit... or at least getting a start on it. I figured I had a week of decent weather yet to run the bio out before any really cold weather hit. Today at work I find a spot under the truck. You guessed it - fuel. A quick look revealed it's originating from the engine valley somewhere. So, a 14 hour day later and I'm on my way home in the dark. Not thinking much of it at first but I thought my turn signals were working slow. Then I noticed my dash lights going dim. I exit the highway and when the truck idles my battery light comes on. At first it would barely go out with throttle but the closer I get to home it stays on constantly. I make my final turn and the ABS light comes on! Goes out at a stop sign and comes on again when I start moving and stays on until I get the truck safely at home... the batteries too dead to restart the truck.
I now have the charger on it overnight with fears of the pending cold weather gelling the bio.
Any thoughts on any "one" of my problems?
I now have the charger on it overnight with fears of the pending cold weather gelling the bio.
Any thoughts on any "one" of my problems?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
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From: Des Moines, IA
I should have known better than to ask "what else can go wrong".
I open the fridge in hopes of getting a bite before bed and the shelf breaks and a juice bottle breaks open on the floor with juice flowing everywhere.
Moannnnn..........
I open the fridge in hopes of getting a bite before bed and the shelf breaks and a juice bottle breaks open on the floor with juice flowing everywhere.
Moannnnn..........
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
DG65, pour some Diesel Kleen winter formula (white bottle) or any other winter fuel treatment in the tank with the bio. B10 is only 10% bio and 90% dino fuel, so you should not have a problem with the fuel. Check all of your battery connections and cables. If possible pull the batteries and take them to an auto parts store to have them load test seperately. Let us know how it goes and we'll help you through it.
Just be glad the fridge door did not fall off when you opened it. (Don't ask how I know this). Good Luck.
Just be glad the fridge door did not fall off when you opened it. (Don't ask how I know this). Good Luck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
DG, if you did any work in the motor compartment fbefore this, check the back of your alternotor for the main wire on the top side, passenger side of the ALT itslef. I know that if you are working, sometimes, its easy to break this connector off. Cough Cough....
On a side note, you could have had the day I did. Started truck, smoke from under hood. Pop hood, cable breaks. load test battery, it had a cell melt down. take Izuzu rodeo to Walmart for batteries, discover oil leak in rodeo. Put batteries in, move my track hoe to new worksite, go to unload and break a rubber track. Employee calls and ran loader out of oil. Thank god it has a shutdown switch so it cant be run to the point of extreme danger. Had to fire that moron. Not a good day.
On a side note, you could have had the day I did. Started truck, smoke from under hood. Pop hood, cable breaks. load test battery, it had a cell melt down. take Izuzu rodeo to Walmart for batteries, discover oil leak in rodeo. Put batteries in, move my track hoe to new worksite, go to unload and break a rubber track. Employee calls and ran loader out of oil. Thank god it has a shutdown switch so it cant be run to the point of extreme danger. Had to fire that moron. Not a good day.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
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From: Des Moines, IA
I should know when things can't get any worse, they often do. I suppose my problems are minor in comparison to others here!
I'm going to get it in the garage tonight but I'm just to darn tired to do anything with it. At least it's out of the weather for now. I have been mourning the sale of my 65 Mustang fastback for a couple weeks but the extra stall in the garage has sure come in handy.
I will post when I finish t-shooting and have it fixed. Thanks, everyone, for all the advice.
I'm going to get it in the garage tonight but I'm just to darn tired to do anything with it. At least it's out of the weather for now. I have been mourning the sale of my 65 Mustang fastback for a couple weeks but the extra stall in the garage has sure come in handy.
I will post when I finish t-shooting and have it fixed. Thanks, everyone, for all the advice.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
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i think you may be on to something about the wire on the back side of the alternator , mine did not break, but had a poor connection and would not charge . i took the plastic cover off it and cleaned it w/ sand paper real good and never had a problem with it since.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
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From: Des Moines, IA
I pulled the truck in tonight and the "battery" and "ABS" lights were both off. I will check the wiring but can't help to think that I may have an alt crapping out. Thinking back, I can remember the battery light slightly glowing when it was idling cold but would go out just off idle. Like when the glow plugs were still heating after start-up... they do that, right?
Anyways, it's indoors with pending snow and I'm not feeling rushed to get it done right away, maybe tomorrow.
Anyways, it's indoors with pending snow and I'm not feeling rushed to get it done right away, maybe tomorrow.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Des Moines, IA
Originally Posted by Action4478
When battery charging is low...
Action's statement above is right on. All the connections were good but the alt had a low output. I replaced the alt and now the output is higher than it's ever been since I've owned it.
After I replaced the alt I ran it to the car wash to clean the engine and find the fuel leak when I heard a strange noise from the right front. I discovered the lower shock mount had broken so I decided now was a good time to install the "add-a-leaf" kit while the mount was out. When I pulled the wheel I discovered the rotor had cracked completely through the outer portion of the disc. So, looks like brakes are on the repair list, also.
Lesson learned?... never ask what else can go wrong!
