Well today a weird thing happened while driving my truck. (2001 F150 5.4L 4x4)

All I did today was top off the coolant, clean the air filter, and check the fuse on my HIDs.

So here's the story. I was pretty much driving all day long at least 40+ miles today.

Towards the end of the night on the freeway I noticed that the temp/compass reading gauge had weird symbols then shut off and reset. My ABS light came on, and my battery light came on. Everything went back to normal except my battery light which remained on. Also smelled a burning smell coming from the engine bay. Pulled over to the gas station and popped the hood. No smoke, but can still smell that burning smell. Noticed my idle is way higher than normal.

Came home disconnected the battery, and have had it sitting there ever since.

Did a quick search, and learned it could possibly be my alternator going or a slipping belt.

Anything else?

Thanks!

EDIT: Battery is also less than a year old.

 

The only 2 things I can think of.

1. Have the alternator tested
- If it passes testing, hard part comes up

2. Start checking wiring ( starting with the after market modifications ) for charring / hard insulation.

You do not make mention of how the HID is hooked up, nor why you were checking the fuses on them at a maintenance interval.

 

For the alternator can I have it tested while still in the truck? I've read that it should be taken out prior to testing it.

As for my hids I have DDM hi-low kit and my fuse that is part of the hid setup has been busting up pretty easily so I just pulled it out and checked it just in case.

 

In my opinion, to test an alternator correctly it needs to be pulled and bench tested at a real shop ( not autozone ).

The fuse is busted, as in broke ?
If so, that is not right.

 

Eh Damn I gotta work tomorrow for the next 8 days in a row this is gonna be hard.


Yes broke my relay needs to be changed. But it hasn't affected my lights or anything. I find that my hids are the problem right now.

 

*are not the problem.

Sorry im typing from my phone.

 

The fuse or the relay ?

 

The relay or the harness one of the two. I've had the hids for a while though.

 

Just went to my mechanic who's also a family friend so I can trust his word unlike a lot of shady mechanics out there Haha.

Anyways my alternator is done getting that replaced.

 

Wow that was quick !

Glad you got it figured out, sorry it is the costly item.

 

Yeah I only have today then I wouldn't be able to take care of it until march and by then it would have died on me. $300 total