2004 Ford Ranger Engine quits running while driving

RICLARK

MEMBER
2004 FORD RANGER
3.3L
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC
40,000 MILES

Have a 2004 Ranger V6 and a 1999 E450 Ford Chassis Motor Home on which I am having essentially the same problem. Recently while driving the motor home, approx. 35 MPH. Out of the blue, the motor quit running and all lights in dash went out. Totally dead. Like you turned off the switch. Had it pulled to garage, I was informed later that one of the battery cables was loose and it had lost contact causing the engine to die? I had installed a new battery month or so previous and it had been driven very little. Then. This week my Ford Ranger does essentially the same thing. Started vehicle, started to back up. It died. Lights on dash very, very dim. It did jump start. Started going forward perhaps 15 feet. Died again. And lights dim (or out) on dash. Removed the battery, replaced the battery, cleaned the cables and 'so far' it has started and run fine. Needless to say I am now gun shy on both these vehicles. On Ford products if for some reason you do not have a good connection to the batter (dirty terminals, loose terminal) or if a battery goes dead. Will that cause the engine to simply quit running?
rclark

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Tha tis on all cars not only ford products. Batteries have to be in good shape andclean /tight terminal ends.

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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 3:37 PM

RICLARK

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3 POSTS

Are you saying that "yes" should a battery develop a dead cell. Or if one of the battery cables looses contact with a battery post (for whatever reason) the engine can simply 'die'? I thought if you were driving a vehicle at virtually any RPM the alternator supplied the power to run the vehicle? Am I incorrect in this assumption? Or is the battery in the circuit no matter what?

Thanks for your help!

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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 3:37 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

I'm saying yes the engine can quit when a battery is in pooor shape. Normal battery life is about 4 yrs after that it's borrowed time. The alternator can run a car sometimes butnot all loose cable s can mean insufficient voltage to run the computer as well as voltage spikes. Alternators are not the same like they used to be because in order for an alternator to work they need power from a source (battery) and if not a good connect it doesn't get that as it would come and go. Also on the motor home chassis was the last time the belt and tensioner was replaced. They have a life span as well and can slip and deteriorate due to time and oil.

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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 3:37 PM

RICLARK

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for your input. I did not know that a bad battery, or a loose or corroded post on a battery could kill the engine. I will check the belt and the tensioner on the motor home. It is a 1999 model with only 17,000 miles, and I have owned it for two years, but I doubt anyone ever changed the belt. I can tell you to drive (and try to stop) a 32 foot motor home with out a motor running which means no power steering or power brakes is an experience I do not want again. Then to have my ranger do essentially the same thing tells me every three years or so. Change the battery as just part of maintenance.

You help and assistance is appreciated.

Rclark

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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 3:37 PM

HMAC300