Questions and Answers

Chevy S-10 F.O.R.D. Q. Hi Vincent, I have a problem with my 1995 Chevrolet S-10 Extended Cab pickup that has me baffled. I'm hoping you can help diagnose the problem. I was driving on the freeway coming to a spot where it merges onto another highway traveling about 65 mph.

The traffic was backed up at the merge so I engaged the clutch and started to downshift. The truck died instantly so I coasted to the shoulder and came to a stop. When I tried to start the truck again all I got was a klunk sound. The engine would not turn over.

It seemed to me from the sound that there was enough power in the battery to crank the engine but it wouldn't turn over. Each time I hit the ignition it would make that klunk noise. I thought the engine might have been locked up but there was no indication beforehand that might happen. The oil pressure gauge read good and there was no knocking noise in the engine. The temperature reading was also normal.

When the tow truck arrived we tried the ignition again and the tow driver told me to hold the ignition on briefly. He said after the klunk noise the engine was turning over but very slowly like there wasn't enough juice to crank it good. When we got it back home I installed a brand new battery to see if that would do the trick. It did not help. Same thing happened. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for your time and help.

2.2 liter 4 cylinder fuel injected engine
5-speed manual transmission
160,000 miles
ABS P/S A/C

Sincerely,
Scott

A. Take the belt off and try to turn all the belt driven accessories by hand. My guess is the alternator seized up. If everything turns put a socket on the crank pulley and see if it will turn over the engine.