Had to have my son's '98 Ranger towed tonight

[ecamc]

Was driving my son's Ranger down the road, heard a squeal (like a fan belt squeal), then lost all power, coasted to a stop, checked all belts under the hood, and they are all intact. Checked oil level, OK. Wouldn't crank either. All idiot lights work, it just won't crank. Called the tow truck and took it to the garage.

Any ideas? Timing chain? Something else?

Thanks,
Ed

[Shortbus]

Probably a locked up belt driven pulley like an alternator. I have had the same thing happen to me on my pickup. The alternator locked up and the serpentine belt was hot enough it was stuck to the hot alt pulley and the engine starter didn't have enough tourqe to turn the engine over.

To check it I just removed the belt and spun all the pulleys till I discovered the alternator wouldn't spin. I fired the truck up and drove about 6 blocks home and put on a new alternator and belt.

Hope this helps.

[Shortbus]

Oh and obviously to get home I left the belt off as I did not have far to go. Unless you have a separate belt for the water pump and maybe power steering I would not advise driving without the belt.

John