Dead at the Dealership Parking Lot

[StephanSloan]

The world's best 2008 Expedition EL (216k miles) that never lets us down was a little hard to start this morning. It started then stumbled and stalled. It immediately restarted and ran fine after that.
Funny thing, I stopped at the parts department at the dealership to pick up a new transmission dipstick and when I came out it wouldn't start.
When I turn the key everything is normal and then it begins to turn over for a split second and then stops and the voltage gauge goes to zero.
I did not have time to check for a code. I'm (wild) guessing it is the starter.
The lady at the service desk though it was hilarious that the car broke down for the first time in 13 years in the parking lot and I must agree. However, I'm now told it will be "several days before they can even look at it" so I am considering having it towed home and having a go at it.
Are there any recommendation for things to check? Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated.
Stephan

 

[Aspen03]

Obvious things first, check battery voltage, if good get it load tested just to rule out a bad/failing cell that has hit a few of us lately it seems. Check cables and grounds for breaks and/or corrosion.

I've read in the past where someone having a similar issue ended up having a bad alternator. This was a few years back and don't recall the details or where I stumbled across it. I was reading up on a few thing for my father in laws truck, before I got mine.

Have you ever had issues with a key or the pats system? I wouldn't initially suspect something there but if all else fails its not too hard to troubleshoot and would cause a no start condition similar to what you describe.

 

[GaryH2]

I had something like that happen and it was the battery. The Expy ran fine once jumped, but the battery wouldn't hold a charge and was dead once I shut it off.

Unless you have a new battery, start simple and go from there.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Frank Wilson]

Ask for surveillance footage. Bet you see a mechanic climb under it with sidecutters while you were inside.

 

[outdare]

Had this happen to me when a fuel pump that went south on me.

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk

 

[Trainmaster]

As was said, check your battery and importantly, the battery cables and clamps. Dirty battery clamps will do that.

 

[Machete]

Twice in two weeks.
2 weeks ago my truck wouldn’t turn over in the parking lot of my hotel on my way to a sales meeting at a Ford dealer. Got to dealer. Battery plus starter.

Last week just blocks away from another meeting at a Ford customer of mine my battery figure lights up on my dash. Alternator.

My truck knows if it ****** me off again she goes to the crusher. *****.

 

[Trainmaster]

Last week just blocks away from another meeting at a Ford customer of mine my battery figure lights up on my dash. Alternator

Bet the dealer said "Well, you needed the battery and starter anyway". What a dealer!

 

[StephanSloan]

Friends-
Thanks for this good guidance. I will try your suggestions to spring the good truck this afternoon and report back my success.

 

[Machete]

Bet the dealer said "Well, you needed the battery and starter anyway". What a dealer!

I know I did. But I thought I had more time. I’m on road so much it doesn’t pay to take chances. This week alone I’m over 600 miles w 200 to go.

 

[StephanSloan]

Dealership called before I was able to get back to the truck and explained the following:

The belt tensioner was "bent back" and the air-conditioning compressor pulley was damaged which also damaged the belt. To replace those items it would be a minimum of $1,426 and then they would check for additional items.

It appears the problem was a seized AC.

I have an immediate response to this but am curious if I am off base.

What say you all?

With thanks for your time and attention,
Stephan

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Dealership called before I was able to get back to the truck and explained the following:

The belt tensioner was "bent back" and the air-conditioning compressor pulley was damaged which also damaged the belt. To replace those items it would be a minimum of $1,426 and then they would check for additional items.

It appears the problem was a seized AC.

I have an immediate response to this but am curious if I am off base.

What say you all?

With thanks for your time and attention,
Stephan

What is your immediate response?

 

[StephanSloan]

What is your immediate response?

I am disappointed and reminded about why I don't trust the dealership. The invitation to authorize $1,400+ was not a solution but an interim step. I think the tensioner and belt are sub $100 parts and less than an hour of labor. That leaves $1,100+ for an AC compressor.

I just rechecked 23andMe and am reminded that my ancestry is near 99% Scotch. I'm literally genetically incapable of responding in any other way than spitting in my hands, raising the black flag and screaming freedom.

I am also wondering if I can pull the center bolt from the AC clutch and go on my way.

 

[Machete]

I would say tell them to go F*&^ themselves. Go see the GM and tell him you're trading in for a Chevy and you're telling all your friends, chat boards, forums, etc. That when you get done he'll see his gross drop faster than a ho who is flashed with a $20 bill.

Thats the Cuban in me.

 

[Aspen03]

Surely this had to make some noise when it happened. I've lost a tensioner and supercharger belt before and it was chaos under the hood. Sliced partially through engine harness, lost my serpentine belt as well when they tangled, the screeching, shuddering, were probably evident at 100 yards away.

Tensioner can be a decent chunk, no idea what ours run but I paid $100+ for the one on my regal iirc. I went oem and local because I needed it quick, likely could have been had cheaper. Belts ran me another $100. Labor at shop rates goes up fast. Still a ton of $ to outlay without a second opinion or seeing for yourself however.

 

[RobE]

Depending on how quickly you need your vehicle back is how I would look at it. If you will loose money every hour your vehicle is disabled, pay the dealership. If you can go without the vehicle for a period of time, tow it home and find the parts online and do the work yourself.

 

[StephanSloan]

The seize of the AC Compressor apparently happened while parked. As a result I believe it was the energy of the starter and me trying to start the engine that caused the damage.
I can get by without the truck for now and am making arrangement for it to be towed to my home. I am interested in seeing the bent tensioner and damaged belt.
Updates as situations warrant...

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

Fix it yourself. Had to be a hell of a thing, bending a tensioner. Sure, they will lose tension over time, but bending? I'd have to see that for myself..

 

[osteodoc08]

Take the belt off and see if you can spin the compressor. If you can’t, I well, they ain’t lying. If you can fix it yourself, you can start it up long enough to immediately drive on a trailer. I wouldn’t drive it anywhere though.

 

[JollyRoger]

I had something similar happen last year. AC Compressor seized, belt was shrieking (but did not bend the tensioner). Took the belt off, drove it 2 miles to a shop and had the entire AC system replaced for around $1300 I think.