Split belt, battery light came on while on freeway

So while doing 50mph the battery light came on, right before I got home I lost power. ALL the dash lights came on and the radio went out. Recharged the battery and got it running again, took a closer look and the belt is split. Alternator seems to be putting out 13.5v when things are running. Battery seems to be holding the charge now. Idle is rough and drops right down while in gear.

Truck is an 06 with 250,000miles.

What do you think it is?

 

A split belt? Did the belt take out anything? I had one fail on an old Ranger, took out $1000 worth of AC components...

 

A serpentine belt well past its replacement life appears to be the cause.

Suggest to replace the serpentine belt.

 

eek. Naw, it just as a slight split down a portion of the belt. Didn't fly off or anything.

 

Replace the belt to start with.

 

I had the same issue happen to me on my old Audi S4. Was driving home from Palm Springs to San Diego... on the way home the battery light comes on. I keep driving, like an idiot. Eventually the car just dies completely. I have it towed to the nearest dealer. The belt failed which caused the tensioner and pulley to fail. Luckily it was all under warranty but nothing else was an issue. Replaced and good to go. Kept the same battery even.

Sounds like you just need to replace the belt and check your pulleys.

 

Yeah I will test spin all the pulleys once I get the belt off

 

Replace that belt. For $40 its worth it...this was at 90k

 

If the belt isn't holding, it won't charge the alternator and the whole thing will die. I had mine snap due to a bad pulley and had the same symptoms. Did it overheat? That belt also controls the water pump.

Remove the belt, check all the pulleys, put a new belt on. It's surprisingly easy, you literally need 1 wrench and a drill bit or something (To hold the tensioner)