i have a '98 4.6 auto extended cab. my truck was running fine until about an hour ago. at first when i would try to start it, it would just keep clicking. we jumped it with a jumper pack and it was idling fine but my gauges, radio, blinkers, etc wouldnt work. we drove it back to my bros house w/o any electrical working. but when i would stop for a stop light it would kinda idle funny and would barely have any power in first gear. we got to my bros house and it was idling really rough and smelled like gas really bad. he was gonna move his car so i could reverse into the driveway so i put it into reverse and it died. tried to see if it would turn over and it wouldnt do anything at all. we noticed my terminals were a little corroded so we cleaned em off and rolled my windows up. they would roll in intervals and very slowly. we jumped it with cables and it started up again but with no gauges, radio, etc. i reversed it into the driveway, it started bogging down so i pressed the brake so it wouldnt roll back down and it died. but just before it died it started beeping, but a beep i had never heard before, almost like a quiet alarm clock. can comeone please help? i have a cousin at a ford dealer but EVERYTHING is closed cause houston is evacuated so trying to find anything open to begin with is a challenge. i would really appreciate any help especially in this situation.

 

Sounds like the alternator to me. Battery is drained, and the alternator isn't providing any current to run the truck.

 

I agree with Eso. If your alternator isn't providing the juice, your entire truck has to rely on your battery, which just can't do it (even with radio, AC, and/or headlights off).

 

Grab a voltmeter and pick a good ground, and hit the wire off the alternator with the positive. You should have around 14 volts. If less than that, with or without load, your alternator is toast.

 

ok, ill have to take it to a mechanic next week when things start opening back up cause rita is coming in tonight. thanks a lot everyone, i appreciate it! oh and if theres a quick fix i can do with simple tools let me know.

 

beat on it - might make you feel better :-)

 

buy a new battery......

 

A new batt wont last long if the alternator isnt working, itll just die on you again later (ie, on the road).

 

time for an optima *dance*

 

If you really want a new battery, go for it. But all you really need to do is recharge the old one, and replace the alt.

 

luckily, i found a oreily open. bought a rebuilt alt, installed it and used the jumper pack again and i drove home fine! woohoo! thanks for your help everyone, i appreciate it!