Truck Dies Driving Down Street!!!!

Fauch · 03-05-2005, 11:39 PM

So I decided to go to McDonalds to get a McFlurry. Going thru the drive-thru I had to go thru a puddle in the parking lot...I got my McFlurry and took off. At the intersection leaving the parking lot I notice that my truck was sputtering a little. The light turn green and I took off...I drove maybe 400 meter when the truck really started to choke on me, the dashboard lite up like a christmas tree, then it stalled!!!!

I manage to roll to a side street and stopped. I don't have a clue what the hell is wrong with it. It won't turn over what-so-ever.
So I called Nissan roadside assistance to get a tow. So I gave all my info, and then she asked where the nearest Dealership was? I told her it was about 300 miles away and that I only wanted it towed to my garage. She said that she can only help me out if I get it towed to a dealership (for warrenty purposes!)

So yeah, my truck is sitting in my garage now (after having to pay outta my pocket for a tow) not knowing what the F#*@ is wrong with it! Any Suggestions?!?!

tnbowhunter · 03-06-2005, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fauch

So yeah, my truck is sitting in my garage now (after having to pay outta my pocket for a tow) not knowing what the F#*@ is wrong with it! Any Suggestions?!?!

It's obviously a warranty repair. You shoulda had it towed to the dealership. Looks like that's where it's going anyway.

Fauch · 03-06-2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

It's obviously a warranty repair. You shoulda had it towed to the dealership. Looks like that's where it's going anyway.

Well its a long ways away. 4.5 hrs drive. Im hoping its something I can figure out on my own.

about 20mins ago I tried to start it up, it did, but stalled on me few secs later. Im guessing if I let it dry it'll be ok...but I'd like to know whats wrong with it.

*tortuga* · 03-06-2005, 01:45 AM

hmmm, very odd!!! how about disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery? maybe in the hopes of resetting something? i have no idea!!! unfortunately its late so there's not many experts here to chime in... maybe squid will know...

tnbowhunter · 03-06-2005, 01:53 AM

In the good ole days if ya went through water and it started acting up you just took the distrubutor cap off and squirted a little WD-40 in it. That ususally fixed it. I'm afraid if you go squirting WD-40 on everything the Service Department is going to blame the problem on that.
It almost has to be electrical, water in a fuse, fuse link, or somthing.
Even if ya do get it dried out i'm afraid the next time you get it wet it's going to do the same thing untill you find out the problem.
Good luck.

*tortuga* · 03-06-2005, 01:56 AM

Hunter, you're absolutely right!!! he must have had some wires or connection exposed! damn nissan quality control!!!!! knock on wood that doesn't happen to anyone else.....

DryHeat · 03-06-2005, 05:33 AM

How deep was the "puddle" and how fast were you going? Pull you air cleaner out and check for wetness.

Fauch · 03-06-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryHeat

How deep was the "puddle" and how fast were you going? Pull you air cleaner out and check for wetness.

It was maybe 2" deep and I was going slow, so nothing crazy. I did check my air filter and it was dry.

Yeah, If i do get it running again im forsure going to get it checked out.

Fauch · 03-06-2005, 07:33 AM

OK...I just tried starting it up again and it did (after about 10 secs of turning over). As I was checking under the hood I noticed that the rad hose going from the top of my rad into the engine is compressed...as if it was vacuumed sucked.

Im guessing this is the problem. Maybe the truck overheated. Suggestions? Comments?

bestatchess · 03-06-2005, 07:37 AM

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...Jan2/54463.asp

Fauch · 03-06-2005, 08:38 AM

Well, I didn't make note of the gasket ( I will the next time I go out there) but when I removed the cap the hose went back to its normal shape.
Im no mechanic, but im guessing maybe my belt got wet causing the water pump to slip and caused my engine to overheat. Does that sound plausible?

honeykeeper · 03-06-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fauch

OK...I just tried starting it up again and it did (after about 10 secs of turning over). As I was checking under the hood I noticed that the rad hose going from the top of my rad into the engine is compressed...as if it was vacuumed sucked.

Im guessing this is the problem. Maybe the truck overheated. Suggestions? Comments?

Hmmmmmmmmm maybe an air-lock from low rad. fluid????? Might have caused the over-heating?? Mine was very low from the factory and dealer....but did not overheat. Did you ever check your rad. fluid level??

Peace-Tom

Bass Ale

cttitan · 03-06-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fauch

Well, I didn't make note of the gasket ( I will the next time I go out there) but when I removed the cap the hose went back to its normal shape.
Im no mechanic, but im guessing maybe my belt got wet causing the water pump to slip and caused my engine to overheat. Does that sound plausible?

If the dashboard "lit up" it sure sounds like an electrical problem to me, and that would make more sense seeing as how it won't start now. How could an overheated engine cause a no start condition?? And how could you get so low in coolant and overheat without some other obvious warnings. I can't check my truck now as I am at work, but don't we have an overflow tank for the radiator perhaps with a low level switch in it to warn us of a low coolant level. If we do then how can it draw and maintain a vacuum strong enough to collapse a hose?? And don't we have a high temp warning light and a temp gauge. I believe the ECU also acts to protect the engine if it senses a high temp??

Sound like you have some problems there Fauch. Let us know how it comes out..

Vegas04 · 03-06-2005, 10:22 AM

if it were my truck, I would disconnect the negative lead on the battery, let is sit for an hour and then reconnect. If it doesn't correct anything, then it's not just an obscure glitch, let the dealership deal with it.

Fauch · 03-06-2005, 12:14 PM

OK...well My truck died again...just a mile from my house. I came to a stop and then it stalled on me when I went again. I have enough coolant, so thats not an issue. I do believe there is a logic in the computer to turn the truck off when it over heats. But I barely drove a mile before it died on me...not enough time to have it over heat. The oil is ok, and all significant fuses are also ok.

Im in a jam here....its 500km away to the nearest Nissan dealership.

Im going ot disconnect my battery again and try to start it up and drive back home. (I ain't paying another $60 for towing)