car trouble - Page 3

rh71 · 04-02-2002, 08:21 PM

The first guy at Sears wanted no part of the car seeing that it was buried, but he offered his guess. The 2nd guy at Pep Boys told me that's what it sounded like from my description and of course he will call me tomorrow after a guy looks at it before he does any work. I'll verify then. Thx.

caddmannq · 04-02-2002, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Can someone load it up in a Matrix program or something ?

Nah...Just read Motor's manuals, and car magazines, and work on cars for about 30 years...
You'll get it

caddmannq · 04-02-2002, 08:27 PM

Quote:

2nd guy at Pep Boys told me that's what it sounded like from my description...

Of course if he tells you it's just a loose cable, he can't sell you another starter!

OK...If you've been running around with a loose/bad cable long enough to burn out the battery, the starter is possibly damaged too.

The sad fact is that what's burned is probably a 10 cent copper disk inside the solenoid. I fixed a dozen of those myself with a file and sandpaper, but no professional mechanic will. If they did, they couldn't sell you a new starter/solenoid!

rh71 · 04-02-2002, 08:45 PM

so where do you live ?

Richard Cranium · 04-02-2002, 09:01 PM

Some vehicles also came with ALUMINUM battery cables.

These would expand under heat and cause the lug on the starter to spread apart causing poor connection. The thing sounds like a dead battery or weak starter with these type cables.

You can just re-crimp the wires for a get-by fix, removal and replace with copper is the best.

caddmannq · 04-02-2002, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Where do you live?

Ummm...check profile??? (Fresno.)

BTW, what Doc says also happens with copper cables. It just takes heat & time. 69,000 miles can easily do it. Bolts loosten from heat by continually expanding and contracting. Electrical connections are particularly succeptible, as the intial torque value is low.

PS: Doc...My respect for you just keeps climbing

rh71 · 04-02-2002, 10:19 PM

I need an exact address so I can stop by with my car in tow.

caddmannq · 04-02-2002, 10:32 PM

At my age you can get picky.
I don't allow Isuzus in my driveway.

Richard Cranium · 04-03-2002, 12:56 AM

'

' LOL Cadd

BTW, I don't allow Furd's in mine

rh71 · 04-03-2002, 08:20 AM

Fuel filter
air filter
throttle body (dirty)
sparkplugs (electrodes worn)
wires (starting to bend)
oil change (I was due anyway)

Does that equal approx $280 ? Sounds outrageous to me, but you know how much I know.

I told him to do the starter (faulty - drawing too much from the battery) and the oil change for total $300 already.