Automobiles are the biggest money drain in most budgets, and usually repairs strike at the most in-opportune times. We have been fortunate to eliminate two car payments over the last sixteen months; one by selling my truck and the other when Amy was rear ended, totaling our car. We had paid the car down enough that we were able to pay off the loan and buy a $2,000 car with the insurance settlement.
The car we bought is not too bad; it is a 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix with over 140,000 miles. Since purchasing the car it has developed a problem starting on a regular basis. Occasionally it won’t turn over at all; however, it still has power (it eventually starts without needing a jump). It has been doing this since before I was mobilized last November.
While I was home over Thanksgiving we put a new starter in it. We were told the starter was bad. About a week later after I left it started having the problem again. A couple of weeks ago we replaced the battery; still not any better. I think the problem might be the ignition switch, but that is another $250 for a maybe. Then there is the front seal that leaks oil down onto the starter as well, but I don’t think that is the cause because it eventually starts; although not always when you want it to.
I have $600 in savings just for vehicle repair, I just worry that will all be spent without solving the problem. Because I am about ready to fly over 6,000 miles away again soon I was tempted the other day to borrow money to get a more dependable vehicle for Amy while I am gone.
That was a very fleeting thought; so my next thought was to not pay anyone for a month so I could pay cash for a more dependable vehicle. Most of the people I owe money are not the typical types of debt; in other words most of them would be okay with not receiving a payment for one month if they are aware of the circumstances. If I were here I would just ride it out and fix the car when it finally doesn’t start at all, but being gone it really creates a dilemma. Don’t worry, I won’t be borrowing any money for this one; I just haven’t decided what to do yet.
I can empathize with your situation, Joel. My wife and I went through a series of car repairs while working our debt snowball. There was always enough cash on hand to keep the car going, never enough to replace it with something in better shape.
Long story short: we ended up taking the car to a dealer. They solved the problem, and came in well under their reasonable estimate. I was surprised. Dealer service is usually overpriced. But the fault (a bent rear axle on a 1997 Ford Mustang, replaced a couple of times before the last attempt) was peculiar enough to our particular car (the Mustang has a solid rear axle) that the dealer was able to fix it quickly with confidence after the independent shops we’d tried couldn’t.
Our experience might be a fluke. Maybe we were taken in by the command presence of the dealer’s mechanics and just got lucky. But it might be worthwile to have a good Pontiac dealer’s service department take a look and give you an estimate. (Maybe you’ve done this already.)
This is a tough spot to be in. I’ll be praying that the problem gets solved in short order and doesn’t boomerang on you.
Good luck!
Comment by Mike in DC — April 28, 2007 @ 1:44 am
Nice blog! Well, anybody can relate to your story. Its really a concern for every car owner when car is having a trouble. Sometimes it happens when you least expected it or your out of budget for the repair bills. A couple of months ago, some of my truck parts (head gasket, heater core and water punp) had to replaced at the same time. It costs me lots of bucks. Thank God, after the said replacement no problems had been encountered. I just hope you’ll fix your car problem soon. Good luck.
Comment by Trivia — April 28, 2007 @ 5:45 am
The ignition switch would be worth it if it fixes the problem… My first thought is, can you get a replacement from a junkyard for less than $250? And my second thought is, call Click & Clack (of Car Talk radio show fame). I’m sure they would have a suggestion or two.
Comment by segfault — April 28, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
Joel:
I hope you are enjoying every moment at home with Amy and the kids. Sorry that car trouble is mixed in with this though! I have always loved Daytonna’s automotive in Springfield. They have always been very upfront in giving estimates for repair, honest, reasonably priced and excellent customer service. They are also good at working with you on a budget, as they have done with us before. They have fixed immediate problems and helped us decide could wait until we had the extra money for a non–life-threatening repair! They really won my heart when I took my car in for an oil change and new brake pads before a trip and I found out my brake master cylinder was SHOT. I knew I had brake problems, didn’t know they were that bad. So, I said to fix it. But of course they had to order the part, etc. I was sitting there with a 2 year old and 6 week old baby. When they realized all that they had to do, the owner’s wife got me and the kids together and drove us back to our house, all the way across town so we could wait there. They stayed late that evening to fix my car so I could have it for my trip that day. The man that owns it went to Evangel and they are wonderful Christian people. I might call and see if you can work something out. Hope that helps!!
Comment by Hillery Potter — April 29, 2007 @ 12:53 am
…this is a tough one, but a battle you simply have to fight (for this and all the future used cars you get to ‘enjoy’). While you are still here in the States, can you get together with a trusted confidant who can be Amy’s back-up ‘husband’ in the event that the car breaks down?
My guess is that you will probably spend most of the $600 in getting it road-worthy; I also am hoping, for your sake, that you are closing in on diagnosing the problem (probably a sensor somewhere).
In the event that your $600 is exhausted, and the problem remains, that might be a good time to move to plan B.
Good luck Joel; I am one of your biggest champions on TMMO and check your blog everyday…hope to get to meet you and the family one day!
Lastly, here is an answer found on a Google search for your problem, hope this helps:
“after making sure its getting spark i would check to make sure its getting fuel.if its not it could be a clogged fuel filter or a bad fuel pump.checking the fuel pressure will assure the pump is ok.if it is getting plenty of fuel it could be numerous problems.maybe a bad sensor or a vacuum leak.an engine with alot of miles can get bad compression from cylinder wear causing power loss.”
Patrick
Comment by Patrick Crenshaw — April 29, 2007 @ 5:58 am
Thanks everyone! I will be taking it to get checked out on Monday and will update you.
Comment by Joel — April 29, 2007 @ 9:10 am