My Car dies?

[Angus]

Today at midnight, I was heading to Oakland from Davis on Freeway 80. On the way, nothing strange. After about 40 miles of the journey, when I was climbing up the hill on freeway, I want to hit on the gas and accel but I could not!! Suddenly, the car lost power and began to stop. All I can do is pull over and get a tow truck since I cannot check anything. What do you guys think about it? Did the engine blown or something?? There is no gas, no smoke or oil came out from the engine bay. But there was little smell like some kind of things is burning. I try to start the engine but the engine did not crank. All I can hear is some kind of sound like"zzzzzzzzz". Can anyone help me and tell me what happened???? Thanks!! Any advices please!!!!

 

[majik2k5]

Some more input would help. What kind of mileage was on the car? How do you normally drive the car? Were there any other problems prior?

To be it sounds ignition related. Check all your plugs and plug wires, and all that good stuff then post back.

 

[Angus]

Some more input would help. What kind of mileage was on the car? How do you normally drive the car? Were there any other problems prior?

To be it sounds ignition related. Check all your plugs and plug wires, and all that good stuff then post back.

Mileage is 132000. I just drive normally. It's an automatic. There is no major problems before except give out blue smoke on exhaust. Engine light never "on" before. Nothing strange or happened before yesterday.
Thanks for your information!

 

[GTM]

Mileage is 132000. I just drive normally. It's an automatic. There is no major problems before except give out blue smoke on exhaust. Engine light never "on" before. Nothing strange or happened before yesterday.
Thanks for your information!

The buzzzzzzzzzing sound suggests a dead battery, you need to check the battery voltage. It's not uncommon to blow the main 80-100 amp fuse which will then prevent the battery from charging. You can check my "2 minute alternator circuit test" in the "Tech Guide" under electrical. If you have a 2 wire plug at the back of your alternator this will work. I've not written a test procedure for the late systems as of yet.

You certainly can check step #1 with a test light or DVOM (should be battery voltage) or the main fuse or a fusable link is burned. There are other fuses 2-3 (30 amp) which can cause a no charge and at least 1 in inline and not located in a regular panel or sub panel. This controls a charging relay but here the schematics are not clear and in some it's the activation coil and in others it's on the contact points.

You can try to smell or visually inspect the Alt stator windings for burns since you reported a smell. You can remove the alternator and take it to a shop where they can correctly test it.

There are of course other possibilities but this is based on what you have reported.

Ask questions and let us know what you find.

Cheers,
GTM