04 Ram 1500 5.7l hemi overheating/wont hold a charge

[Anozira]

Hello Ram Forum,

I need some help here. While I was driving to work the other day I heard something break. Right after the snapping noise, my oil temp gauge quickly rose to max, my battery gauge immediately dropped all the way to the left, and I didmt hear anything clanking.

A few days prior, I had a really bad electrical burning smell in the cab and I passed it off as low coolant. I refilled the resivor.

Tonight, I went back to where its parked at (the parking lot at work) and jumped it to get it started. Once I did, I noticed the fan behind the radiator was not rotating, nor was the belt rotating. I immediately shut it off for fear of further damage.

I have looked all over many forums and cant find one that sounds like my problem. Any ideas from y'all would be greatly appreciated. Im going to most likely have it towed friday or Saturday to a shop if I can't figue out whats wrong before then.

 

[jwheeler]

That fan is attached to the water pump. It is turned by the belt. So is the alternator that charges your battery. Sounds like the belt has come loose. Likely caused by one of the pulleys that the belt rides on failing or the tensioner that keeps it right.

 

[Anozira]

So that means I should probably have it towed since I have limited knowledge, correct?

 

[cgeorgemo]

Correct, tow it. You need a new belt and possibly a new fan clutch if that was the burning smell you had.


Sent from Skynet terminal 142a5

 

[Anozira]

That makes me feel a whole lot better. Its a pretty cheap fix, minus the labor from being uneducated about auto repair. Thanks for the quick and helpful responses.

 

[cgeorgemo]

Definitely have someone diagnose it in person. I'm going of experience here not first hand knowledge looking at your truck. It could be more than that if something else was the burning smell.


Sent from Skynet terminal 142a5

 

[Anozira]

Heres to hoping that it is nothing worse.