Late Night After Work Car Problems

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Son of a bitch…

Finished work tonight, and on the 4 mile drive home, the battery light goes on, then the RPM’s seem to behave a bit strangely, the radio starts to say **** it I’m out, the airbag light goes on, the ABS light goes on, the headlights dim, and I park the car at the house, and the driver’s side window won’t go up. Pull the keys, put the keys back in to try to get the window down, and now it works.

Car has been running like a top with barely any problems ever. Alternator was checked a few months ago and was fine. Battery is only about 16 months old. Was going to get the timing belt changed in a few weeks when the next service is due. Just got back from driving back and forth to KC and now this? What the hell man?

Hallelujah, and holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol?

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm

Well, 600 bucks later, I’ve got a new alternator and all is right in the world. Gonna self pull and take a nap.

Glad you got it figured out. I’m not sure what self pull means but does the $600 include the alternator and labor?

I replaced mine about a year ago and was surprised how easy the job was. I am not a hands-on, mechanically-inclined guy and I was able to do it in about an hour solely on the strength of YouTube DIY vids.

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Yeah, $600 sounds a little pricey, but after looking things up online, it's pretty much par for the course. If I wasn't exhausted, I probably would've taken the time to do it myself, but even labor wasn't bad, only about a hundo, so for the total to come out to $600 after parts, labor and taxes, I don't feel like I got bent over. It's a small town, so I'm thankful they had the parts local, and it was done in a timely manner without having to hassle with renting a car or any of that horseshit. Just glad it's done, and not something more serious.

[neech]

Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm

Well, 600 bucks later, I’ve got a new alternator and all is right in the world. Gonna self pull and take a nap.

Otter says you were taken to the cleaners.

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Originally Posted by neech

Otter says you were taken to the cleaners.

Cool. Jimmy crack corn...

[Otter]

Originally Posted by neech

Otter says you were taken to the cleaners.

Hey now, I didn't see the invoice for the repair. I simply speculated only the cost of an alternator swap based largely on my own circumstances.

There could have been other factors such as fluid leaks, electrical issues, towing and access as well as removal of other components to complete the repair just to name a few.

Speak for yourself, bucko.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by neech

Otter says you were taken to the cleaners.

You were bamboozled!

[crayzkirk]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Before you go too crazy replacing stuff, try cleaning the battery posts and connectors with a wirebrush

On top post batteries, I use those little red/black pads plus some grease on the posts. No corrosion. I've also heard that when you check your oil, go ahead and drip some oil from the dipstick on the posts to prevent corrosion.

Also, most OEM batteries are terrible. I replaced the one in my Honda and almost hurt myself taking it out. I was prepared to lift a heavy object and the thing was super light.

[ptlyon]

You just don't know your fix it strength Kirk

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

Got a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit diesel which until now had never given me any problems. Drove home from work last week, seemed to be running fine as always, turned it off in my garage and heard coolant bubbling. Looked at the gauge and it was fairly hot. Checked underneath the coolant reservoir and saw OIL dripping out pretty badly. Oil cooler malfunctioned and sent oil throughout my entire cooling system. Needed new oil cooler, thermostat, o-ring, all rubber hoses in the coolant system needed to be replaced, and needed a new radiator because oil had settled, coagulated and couldn't be flushed out. Total financial damage? $9,166.78. Warranty expired 5k miles ago. New President of OUCHtown - JohnnyHammersticks.

Go hit a Walmart light pole and call insurance Jesus **** that

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Well shit…

Late night problems are now early afternoon problems.

On my way to go to the DMV and get my new Kansas license, and I start the car, it fires up, then putters down…. I start it up again, and once again it putters down, but now I smell gas.

Hop out, and sure enough, there’s a small gas leak coming from near the gas tank.

And of course it’s small town Kansas at nearly 2pm on a Friday, so I know I’m screwed. Get a tow to the service center, but they’re down two men and can’t get to it until tomorrow morning. No loaners and no rentals available. Sweet tap dancing Christ…

It’s only 95 out. It’s only two miles home. I’ll walk. Made it home, soaking wet, and now I have a weird pain in my left calf, it’s probably fine.

So I got someone to cover my shift at work tonight and someone to standby to cover me tomorrow. And now I’m going to get ****ing drunk. Momma said there’d be days like this…