Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Someone else did mention that but we couldn't find a shop that would test it at a decent price. One place said they charged $75 per hour :vomit: but wouldn't tell us how long it would take. We'll...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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43 Replies
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The only jobs he's had are factory/production and retail/food service. He worked at Toyota last year for awhile but they fired him because he missed work when he had a flat tire. He even offered to...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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43 Replies
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If it was fuel injected, pushing the gas pedal would kill it pretty much instantly. Now if it was carbureted then pushing the gas pedal a little bit may help it start easier.
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I'd disagree on that one. Once a car reaches a certain age or mileage, how it was taken care of during its life is more important than what the actual year or mileage of it is. Have someone put a...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Well yeah if you are a mechanic and can diagnose and work on your own vehicles it might be better. Also I agree if you find an older car that was well taken care of you can be in good shape. But in...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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OP> Sounds like you are in a tough situation. I wish you the best of luck!
I am not very mechanically inclined, but I wanted to comment on a couple of things.
You guys sound like you are...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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How old is the battery? If its more than about 3 years old, I would definitely recommend getting a new one. After a few years, they dont hold as much of a charge and start causing random problems. ...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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A little background: my husband was laid off today from his job. He had been working there approximately 6 weeks. We have approximately $2900 in savings bonds and cash stashed for emergencies because...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Have you tried talking to your husband's grandfather? I mean does he really need it, or would it just like it back to have? If I were you I'd be upfront about your situation and don't spend any money...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Fuel pump is under the back seat, if you lift up the cushion you should see it at the top of the fuel tank. When you turn the key to "on" but don't start the car you should hear it whirring.
Fuel...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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We haven't talked to his grandfather yet because we JUST found out last night (around 11pm) that he was laid off. His grandparents do have another vehicle that they can use and I'm fairly certain...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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We've had someone look at it and he couldn't figure out what is wrong with it. That's bad because he's been a mechanic for 20+ years. He thought he figured it out and he ordered the part for what he...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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It may be the battery, either it is bad and needs to be replaced or filled up (whatever it is called), or there is corrosion between the cable, which can be cleaned. Try to start it with another car....
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Correct. Unless it's some weird design, the EGR valve shouldn't matter when starting the car because it should only kick in when the car gets warmed up and goes into closed-loop mode and starts...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Thanks for the advice so far everyone! I'm going to take a quick video tomorrow to show you and let you hear what the car does. Hopefully it doesn't start so I can get a good video. I'm going to go...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I'm sure if you explained your situation to his grandparents they would be more than willing to let you borrow the car until you get on your feet. If things work out though and he gets a job close to...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Here is another one.
Autozone, Advance Auto and the rest of the bigger parts houses have a free computer diagnostic service for all customers. Say it's running funny and they will have a printout...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Older cars have a lot more vacuum operated devices. Over time, a lot of them have been converted to electric devices. I'm reasonably sure that all makes are like that.
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Go through your house and find everything you haven't used in the past 2 weeks, and Ebay it. If you're like me, you'll be shocked at how much junk is laying around. Use the money to get the car...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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We sold everything the last time he was out of work. We have no dvds and we each kept 1 video game. It seems like the car is working for now and my husband got a job at Target. It isn't great but...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Not an expert, but on my car (early 90s Acura Integra) I had trouble starting and thought it was the battery at first. Replaced it and it seemed to fix it, but after a short while it had trouble...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Depend on the cost of fixing the car. Can you guarantee, after fixing the old vehicle, it will run smoothly for another 20 years?
Is it cheaper to buy another runnable car? You will probably pay...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I'm not sure how old the battery is. We just bought the car in February 2010. I'll check it later today. I'll check for that click too. It's been about a month or 2 since we even tried to start the...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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What problems is it having? Get a friend or neighbor to try to help you diagnose it, may be as simple as a dying battery. Find a u-pull-it type salvage yard around you, there are plenty of these...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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What kind of work does your husband do? What are you experienced in? Sorry if this was mentioned, but have you posted to Craigslist? A lot of people are hurting and I know a lot of tradespeople are...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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43 Replies
6,368 Views
TY! You are awesome!:woot:
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I'd take it to a Honda specialist and have them diagnose the problem. Ask your family and friends who own a Honda if they have any specialist they recommend.
One (of the many) good thing about...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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What city do you live in? Years ago I had a car break down and committed to use public transit for the summer. I haven't owned a car since. I live in Chicago and frankly if I need a car I'll rent...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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That's kinda what I was thinking. There's no real consistency that I can see. Sometimes it starts right up for a cold start but other times it doesn't. Same with starting it when it's warm or been...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Evansville - it's not a major city and we have a decent bus system but it has its limitations. For example, most of the jobs my husband has had (factory jobs) in the past few years have started at...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I forgot to mention that we did change out the fuel filter in the engine area but there is one in the fuel tank that we haven't changed because we don't have the mechanical know-how to do that. I've...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Honda is a good car from what I heard, but that '89 is over 20 years old.
How bad of a fix are we looking at?
Personal opinion: get as much out of the 89 Accord and get the best newewst/new...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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There should be a sticker on the top or sides of the battery with a MM/YY date code, as long as its under whatever warranty is printed on the label, you should get some money for it. You dont really...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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A volt meter will let you keep tabs on how much juice the battery has. They go on sale for dirt-cheap at Harbor Freight all the time.
If the car wouldn't start, but then you took the battery in...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Cars run on 3 things: spark, fuel and air.
1) Check ignition system. Take spark plugs out and ground them to the engine to check for spark.
2) Check if gas is fresh, check fuel filter to make...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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43 Replies
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Maybe find a cheaper place to live?
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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For once, I actually agree with Lord of Chaos. This car could be a money pit. At this price point, it may not be worth it to get it fixed.
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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:iagree:
Just because the car is old, doesn't mean that it's not something simple like a battery, battery cable, dirty battery connection, bad ignition switch, etc.
I would no be so...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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Just an update: we went down to try to turn the car on a few days ago and it wouldn't do anything. The battery was completely dead. We went the next day and got a new battery and put it in and now...
Just laid off...need advice about broken down car
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Thread created 03-03-2011 by jersharocks
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I test for vacuum leaks with a MityVac:
http://www.mityvac.com
Costs way less than the $75/hr and you can use the tool for other things as well. There is also a Harbor Freight knockoff...
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