|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 20, 2008 9:58:25 GMT -5
Today I had planned to do soooo many things and my car died AGAIN! I am soooooooo STRESSED! 3G
|
|
|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 20, 2008 13:41:57 GMT -5
Well, the mechanic came by and figured out that it's an electrical problem with the fuse connected to the car alarm. We got it started, but he said that it may happen again.  He doesn't do electrical work, so I have to find someone else.  The problem is, that I have no time before monday morning to do it, so I have to (Hopefully,) drive it to work monday and hope that it starts again to go home.  My friend brought me to do errands, but now I'm stuck at home till monday. Guess I'll try to do a few things later. Right now I have a screaming headache!  3G |
|
|
|
Post by heylady1 on Sept 20, 2008 13:48:04 GMT -5
If you don't set the alarm will it be okay? In other words, if you just forget about the alarm right now can you use the car or is it still likely to short out? Cars can be such pains in the you-know-what. I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble - so soon too!  |
|
|
|
Post by pegasus48 on Sept 20, 2008 13:52:02 GMT -5
I was wondering kind of the same thing as Heylady. Only I was thinking, will the car still run if the faulty fuse is removed? Yeah, no car alarm, but maybe no short either. I am not sure that would work because in some cars if one fuse is out, everything is out. But it is worth asking someone who knows about cars.
|
|
|
|
Post by DJ on Sept 20, 2008 14:04:18 GMT -5
i am so sorry this is happening again 3g:/ i'm with everyone else though.. you might ask your friend to pull the fuse for it. and see if everything else remains operational and if that'll short term fix it:/
|
|
|
|
Post by messymimi on Sept 20, 2008 17:01:07 GMT -5
You have my sympathy, threeg. The initial word on the car Number One Son drove in the hurricane is that it is going to be totaled.
Cars are a necessary evil.
messymimi
|
|
|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 20, 2008 17:46:07 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. The car alarm has to be removed, because the fuse that it connects to also connects to other things. I have never used or set the alarm but it shorted out anyway, so I can't just disconnect it...it has to be pulled out. My son doesn't know anything about that, so I have to use bill money to pay the person to uninstall it. I had to do that the last time also, which is why my cable tv is shut off. I am worried about losing my phone and internet next if the car repair bill is too high.  3g |
|
|
|
Post by houseworkhater on Sept 20, 2008 20:42:31 GMT -5
oh no -- i feel your pain. we were just told we need $1300 worth of work on the power steering pump and the ac on our Tahoe, but it still runs, so i think we are just going to keep driving it locally until it dies. it's not worth much and i can't see putting more money into it.
i wish you a very low repair bill!
|
|
|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 20, 2008 21:46:29 GMT -5
Thanks Houseworkhater. Cars and trucks are a huge bummer, aren't they? I wish I could affoard to buy a new car, but that will never happen. My 2 jobs are not enough to pay all of the utilities rent and food, let alone a new car. I work approximately 50 hours a week and cannot seem to get ahead. Sorry for venting and whining, but I am depressed. 3G |
|
|
|
Post by eagle on Sept 21, 2008 9:34:25 GMT -5
3G, if you Google specifics about the car and the alarm, you may be able to find details about how to disconnect that particular alarm.
Hubby always uses a particular website to get help fixing our Volvos. Unless your car is a Volvo, that probably wouldn't help you, but there are sites dedicated to other types of cars, and you can find help at one of them.
What you need to know before you begin the search is:
Brand & model & year (ex: Ford Taurus 1995), and if the alarm was installed after market, the brand & model of the alarm. If the alarm was pre-installed on the car when it was brand new, you shouldn't need that information.
You may find instructions simple enough that you or your son can disconnect/remove the alarm without disabling the car altogether.
|
|
|
|
Post by heylady1 on Sept 21, 2008 10:14:08 GMT -5
Earlene's advice is good, and if you or your son are handy with cars that could be your solution. I sure hope it is!
I understand about not have the $$ to fix a car or get a new car. I'm driving a 1995 buick with 169,000 miles on it and everything is slowly falling apart. But it still runs! I fix the necessary stuff so the car is safe to drive but the rest I leave. I have no AC, no radio, etc.... I am going to make it last as long as I can because not only would I have payments on a new to me (used) car but then the insurance goes up too.
Houseworkhater, be very careful with that power steering pump! If that thing goes while you're driving you will lose your power steering which can be extremely dangerous! That is one thing I would not mess around with!
|
|
|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 21, 2008 13:56:32 GMT -5
I have a name for my car..."The black Plague!"  It's a black sporty looking 1997 Plymouth Breeze. I think the alarm was factory installed, but I may never know because the man who sold it to me has not returned my calls. The jerk! I googled the car when I first got it, and found a few issues, but not what my mechanic found, which was a list a mile long of....you guessed it.... electrical problems! It started today, so I went to do errands and left it running with my boyfriend in it while I did groceries, ect. I will take it to work tomorrow and pray that I make it back home.  3g |
|
|
|
Post by moggyfan on Sept 21, 2008 14:07:34 GMT -5
Oh threeg, I so understand your frustration! Over the years, car repairs have been the bane of my existence (back in the '70s, I bought a Ford Pinto, for God's sake). Those bills were the primary cause of my horrific credit card debt for many years (well, those and vet bills!) I hope the car will work okay for you tomorrow and that fixing the problem won't cost too much, in either time or money.  to The Black Plague |
|
|
|
Post by Arid on Sept 21, 2008 14:36:36 GMT -5
Oh, moggy: your line about the Ford Pinto made me laugh outloud! My husband had one once when he was young. He probably could match you story for story.
Arid
|
|
|
|
Post by threeg on Sept 21, 2008 18:36:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the good vibes Moggy, The Black Plague needs all the vibes and prayers it can get,  .  OMG I remember owning a Pinto also....what a nightmare!  I think it lasted less than a month, and then the engine overheated and died. (Pinto's were known for that, but we didn't know it when we bought it.) The good part was that I got another car from the guy for free because he was NICE. (Unlike the guy I bought the Black Plague from.  ) I'm taking it to work tomorrow, and will hope and pray for the best. 3g |
|
