Either my truck won't start when I turn the key, or it will crank and then the engine cuts off immediately. I was backing up out of a space once and when the engine cut off it was scary, I had no power, no steering, couldn't change the gear or use the brake. If I'm going full speed down the highway and this happens, I'll crash. Dealership says they can't figure out what's wrong and that I just have to take back my unsafe vehicle. Can anyone here diagnose the problem through this video? Link:

 

My first suggestion would be to find another dealership. Something doesn't sound right here.

There could be a few reasons for power to be lost , but not that many. Power is supplied from the battery to the vehicle only a few ways and they are not that difficult for an experienced tech to check.
Not our intention to poo ,poo some places work, but when a safety concern is involved, it is sad when a shop refuses to help.
Sometimes a customer can be part of the problem, we don't always know that. Find another shop that cares.

 

Unless there is an error code to read and then lookup in the system the majority of mechanics are unable to do diagnostics on vehicles. A problem with gas engines and an even bigger problem with diesel engines (which is why fleet operators are eager to switch over to EV trucks). Try a couple other dealers and check the Yelp reviews to find one of the better shops. Be sure to document everything in detail and check your state's lemon law.

No check engine light means it is not the emissions control systems but that still leaves a lot. I would start by load testing the battery and verify that it has enough power under load and also check the output from the alternator and charging components. Today's vehicles with their electronics are very sensitive to the voltage level supplied to the components. If a minimum voltage is not provided they will operate in an erratic manner or not at all.

 

I've attached a screenshot of the error codes that popped up on days when my truck experienced this major failure:

 

If you think it is hard finding competent mechanics/techs to do diagnostic electrical/electronic work now, WAIT !!!!!!!!!, it will be harder with an EV.

If a "person" screws up a vehicle looking for an electrical problem now, bad, but not catastrophic , BUT an EV , very scary
Places are having a hard time trying to obtain people they can send for training and even then, one wrong move could be a big problem.
Like everything else EVs will break down too, hopefully not as often, but will cost more to have repaired.

 

What's an EV?

 

 

Does anyone know what these error codes means? They happened the same days that my engine either wouldn't start or would start and then cut off.

 

EV stands for Electric vehicle.

 

Compare an internal combustion engine with its complicated emissions controls and the need for alternators and voltage regulators and fuel injection and computer controlled spark advance and even the electronic crank position sensor, the problems with too much or too little vacuum with the radiator and gas tank, an automatic transmission, catalytic converter, NOx and O2 sensors, and the complexity of diagnosing a problem is exceedingly difficult. Today's mechanics have very little if any skill in troubleshooting systematically and will instead replace one part after another and hope the problem is resolved.

I had a Chevy V-8 that after only 35,000 miles was not operating properly and it was acting like there was a problem with the ignition system but everything in that area checked out. At 65,000 miles the problem became apparent when coolant was leaving the engine. The engine had a bad head gasket and there was enough coolant getting into the manifold to cause ignition problems.

Contrast that wtih an electric car that has one or two electric motors and a battey pack. The first automobiles were electric ones as they were the simplest to build when all one needed was an electric motor and a large battery. The first engine used by the Wright brothers to power their aircraft in 1903 did not have spark plugs or a magneto or a coil or a fuel pump.

As to the cost for repairs the EV battery pack is warrantied for 15 years and motors are easily replaced. My Prius hybrid was driven for 16 years and during that time the only expense was for a little gas given its 44 mpg fuel economy, tires, oil changes, and replacing the small computer controls battery every 3-4 years. No money was spent on engine repairs and the brakes were still at 90% when the car was traded for a plug-in hybrid SUV that has been providing 99 mpg to date.

As more "features" like lane assist and reverse braking are added to cars and trucks there are many more things to fail. These also depend on software engineers and product developers to write new code and attempt to test it thoroughly. The result is having cars like the Tesla's that have a $12,000 "feature" that can cause them to drive into parked vehicles.