Had to get towed to dealer today. Driving along, heard clunk under hood,charging system failure came up on icon. Lost steering, temp. gauge started raising to the red. Any ideas. No previous warnings.Tow driversays its alternator?

 

Did you look to see if your serpentine belt was still there? That would cause every one of those symptoms.

 

Belt was intact, new belt istalled about 2 months ago, when i had waterpump replaced.

 

Bad alternator does not explain any impact upon temp, because the water pump will continue to turn. A belt tensioner that lets go will cause all belt driven accessories to fail.

So my guess is you heard the spring in the belt tensioner go clunk when it met the grim reaper, then the belt was just riding instead of working.

Rule of thumb, when it is time for a belt, it is usually time for a tensioner.

 

Dealer called, truck will be ready tomorrow. Was Alternator, snapped bolt on alternator, and replacing tensioner.

 

That's good news.

 

Doc might have been exactly right. The alt might be a "bonus" for the svc dept.
Who is paying?. I'd look to see if its really a new alt.
Just thinking!!

 

Have extended warranty till 93,000.At 85,000 now . I have $50 deductable.