Yay!

[llcoolvad]

Car update:

I took everyone's advice and decided to fix the car rather than get some other car. It was not a hard decision to make, as I am mostly satisfied with my little car, and as I am very lazy and horrified by the idea of car shopping anyway.

Today was my appointment, and I decided that my priorities were the leak and the electrical system (as rolandgsl suggested, fix the annoying things first). So I gave them a list of to-dos: 1. Find leak, fix. 2. Determine electrical problem, fix. 3. Remount electrical outlet (cigarette lighter) because hanging by a wire makes me nervous. 4. Remove car alarm (because honestly, who needs it? I haven't used it regularly in five years and I suspect it is the cause of the battery drain). 5. Determine why SRS light is lit, fix.

My friendly service guy called a little while ago, and the current status is: 1. They found a leak in one of the taillights so they're getting a new part, will be in tomorrow early AM. Hopefully that's the only leak! 2. Battery is basically dead. Probably from repeated drain from alarm. Replaced. 3. Outlet remounted. 4. Car alarm gone! 5. SRS light seems to have been triggered by bad battery, they reset it and it's not coming on again, so fixed.

Damage: $550. A lot of money but way better than I thought. And if my leak is truly gone I will be very happy!

Might still need the exhaust done, I'm waiting to see if I pass inspection (March). I was also looking over my spreadsheet of repairs and I think I will be due for brakes fairly soon (it's been a while), but those are the only things that are obvious now. I'm ignoring the stupid heat shield, too.

Here's hoping I can now keep the car going for another year or two!

Comments

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

$550! That's awesome for fixing it up enough to where you like it again.

[llcoolvad.livejournal.com]

It is, isn't it? I am thinking that after I get it inspected (assuming it passes) I might get it detailed and put in a new stereo. Then it will FEEL like a new car. Plus stop smelling mildewy.

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Almost just as much fun, but a lot less money. My favorite!

I don't guess most people describe that new-car smell as "mildewy"!

[llcoolvad.livejournal.com]

I seem to specialize in mildew lately. I think Suzanne is right and perhaps my superpower is to bring the floods. Yay, me.

[rolandgsl.livejournal.com]

Cool, let us know if the battery issues are gone for good. Fingers crossed on the leak.

I just fixed a problem of my own, and it ended up being the thing I should have suspected all along, the aftermarket electronic trailer tailight adapter. I've had issues with them before on another vehicle, but this seems to be the only brand on the market. They only seem to last about 2 years. :( So now I get to buy another one before I can use my trailer to haul brush to the town compost this spring. If I were smart, I'd add the extra turn signals to the trailer so I didn't need the fancier adapter...

But at least I have marker and dash lights and can drive at night now! ;P

As far as the price, you're mostly paying for an educated person's time. That's about par for any trade these days, sad to say...

[llcoolvad.livejournal.com]

Ha! It's a good thing to be able to see your dashboard.

The price is fine as long as everything is done. My car fixing skills are pretty damned limited! If it doesn't involve adding oil, jump-starting, or changing a tire then I'm stumped.