I went out to the truck today and started it up. when I turned the key it was having a difficult time raising the RPMs and was spewing smoke that was a gray/white color. I could keep it trying to run with my foot on the gas, but it eventually cut out. The truck will not even try to turn over now, and seems to be acting like it has a dead battery or some kind of intermittent electrical problem. when i turn the key to on (just the electrical system, not ignition), i can here a faint whining noise coming from the engine compartment. Nothing happens when i turn the ignition all the way. It is cooler today than it has been in previous days, but it is still in the 60's. any ideas?

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2001 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L
Leather Explorer buckets
Expo center console

Grey/white? Head gasket blown?