Oh yeah… So I don’t remember if I mentioned that my brother helped me change my oil on my motorcycle, and replace my brake pads on my car earlier this month, or not. But, we were at it again with my car this morning.
During the Thanksgiving break, my car broke. Well… not the entire car; just a part on the car. It all started on my way to the bobsled track for training. I first realized I had a problem when my battery light turned on. About 15 min later, my ABS light went on… followed by the “check engine” light. Then the radio went out. Then the heater stopped working. Next my tachometer and speedometer dropped to zero. Then the dashboard lights went out. Then it was the headlights. Last to go was the engine.
You want to talk about freaky; I thought my car was possessed. I was freaking out. It’s only got about 70k on it.
I called up my brother and he said, “Let’s fix it!”
Ha ha ha. Not the type of thing I like to hear. I would much prefer taking it to the shop. But, that was not the case. My brother was rather adamant about us not taking it to the shop. (And, I so glad that we didn’t – ended up saving myself a bundle of money.)
Turns out the problem was compounded – the battery and the alternator. Replacing the battery wasn’t hard; just like switching out batteries or a flashlight (torch). The alternator was a whole other project.
I’m not going to go into all the details necessary to switch one out. (You can easily find that online.) I will say that I now know who to do the following on my car: Change tires, oil and filter, head/tail lights, batteries, alternators, and brake pads.
Geesh! I’m turning out to be my own mechanic.
Sounds like something doesn’t want you to be drive in the car, maybe you are avoiding an accident. Happened to my son when he just got his drivers licence, he wanted to go on a huge trip straight away and his father and I said no. He was going to go anyway, and the following day his car was almost totalled outside in the street (parked) by a drunk driver. You may think this is just bad luck but once the car was repaired and he again made noises about the trip, his car was hit AGAIN and damaged. His trip was delayed by a year but by then he was more experienced at driving and he had a safe trip.
Well, you must have performed some miracle between yesterday and this morning, because when I got in the car to drive my daughters to school, the engine light was OFF!! Yay!!
My husband got gas for me on Saturday, and he said the gas cap practically fell off in his hand. I’d say it’s from that, but I still need to get it checked to make sure.
And, I’d NEVER get angry with you guys if I asked you to take a look at my car and you accidentally did something wrong. That would be my fault, not yours!
I see nothing wrong with that, Don. Heck If I had a guy who knows how to fixed cars good. Heck. I would go to him myself to save money. I know my mother gets her friend guys to change her oil, but I go to Firestone when its time.
Darn, Don. If I knew you 5 years earlier, you could had fixed my old red car and I probably would had still be driving it, but than again. That car was on its last leg. The motor in the car blew out twice(the second time it was time for a new car), an alternator twice, brakes, AC was soo dead(Don. Have you ever drove in a car without A/C for 5 years. No fun)
Put me on the list to fix my car. I do need two belts for my car. The mechanic said A/C belt and I don’t know what the other one was. Gotta love my Nissan Sentra and its already causing problems at almost 3 years old.
Mama, we’d be happy to help ya out, but we are just a couple boys that like to tinker around with motorcycles and cars. If we break it, we’d feel awful.
I keep inviting you to come and take a look at my car, in the hopes that you’ll be able to save ME a bundle of money by telling me why my engine light keeps coming on.
Problem is, you’re not taking me seriously.
Can I get your brother’s number? Maybe he’ll come and bail me out.
C.
I have a 1995 GMC pickup with over 310,000 miles on her. She is big and red and very dependable. Until last year it had all the parts that came on it in 1995. I purchased her on May 8, 1995 and she is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I am now in the process of purchasing a big red Ford pickup. I have repaired many things on my truck myself in the last year. Some of them were very frustrating to fix to say the least. By fixing it myself, I saved a ton of money! You never know what you can do until you try it! May your vehicle last as long as my BIG RED DOG did!
Terry
By the way: I am a female!
I guess I have a well-trained car, it’s a 2002 Toyota Camry. The battery went dead once and of all places at AutoZone where my husband was picking up a part for his MR2. I’ve never had a problem since. Knock on wood.
Don’t you have a great sense of accomplishment by doing it yourself?
I am impressed.
Very few people realize that they in fact can do their own auto maintenence and repairs and do it cost effectively.
Hazarding a guess, by the way you described the problem, that your vehicle is a Japanese import?
Dude. You are awesome.
I forgot to add. Don. I think your car was possessed. Changing out an alternator is no joke. Like I said. I’ve been there and done that twice.
Darn, Don. How old is your car?
You know that sounds soo familiar. Before I got my current car(which is 2 years old), I had a 1989 hand me down Toyota Tercel. I had the same problem you did.
I once drove 2 hours from home and my car decided to break down when I got to that city. Now remembered I was 2 hours away, I couldn’t called my mother to come and get me.
The radio went out first. The lights started to get very dim and my car would cut off if I stopped. Oh Did I mentioned I also was running hot. You know I was praying to get back home without my car dying on me. It finally stopped when I got home.
I feel you, Don. Thank god my 2006 Nissan Sentra is not having that problem, but than again. I went to get my oil changed yesterday and the mechanic told me I needed about two belts for my car. GRRR!!! I guess I better get that checked soon.
Hey, Don. Its nothing wrong with becoming a little mechanic on the side. If you car breaks down, you can fixed it instead of paying 200 or 300 dollars or more to fix it.