You know it's going to be a bad day when...

[dragonydreams]

I should have known the day was going to suck when I got woken up by a charlie horse 20 minutes before my alarm went off. Then my roommate was in the shower when it did. (I get up at the same time every day - she knows this.) I still was ready to go on time, by skipping my morning OJ.

I go to start the car and it makes clickity noises, but doesn't start. CRAP!!! My car's never not started before, so my heart starts to race and I mildly panic. I try again - the cd player spits out the cd, but that's it. I go back in the apartment and after pacing, I call AAA. Okay, first I called my dad (who's in Wisconsin, but still, my car's never not started before), but he didn't answer - it's an hour earlier where he is.

AAA sends someone to jump my car. I call my dad again and this time he answers and calms me down until the AAA guy arrives. He (AAA guy) says that I still have the factory battery and it needs to be replaced. (The car is a '99 and I bought it used 2 years ago.) He tells me to let it run for 45 minutes and sends me on my way.

I need gas. I knew I was down to a quarter of a tank, but the cheaper places on my way home were busy and I figured I had enough to get me through work the next day. I plan on stopping at a gas station a little past work that has a service, station, just in case. I get there about 40 minutes after the AAA guy got the car going.

The car didn't start. As I said, I purposely chose a place that has a service center, near work in case this happened. I had to leave my car there and they said it should be ready by 3pm. I called work and one of my co-workers came and picked me up.

I'd not done yet though. As some of you know, I eat breakfast at work. They have free coffee and free milk in the fridge, so I keep a bowl and box of cereal in my drawer. I got my coffee, which was fresh - the first good thing of the day. Then I go back to my desk to prepare my cereal, and bump the bowl as I'm getting up, spilling dry cereal all over my desk and keyboard.

I just knew that I didn't want to get up this morning. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't take the service guys long to fix my car, and that it doesn't cost me too much.

Comments

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Hope it gets better. Moreover I hope it's the battery and NOT your alternator or starter (both give you those symptoms). Batteries are relatively cheap (I just replaced mine and looked afterwards to realize that they didn't even clean the battery terminals. glaring at them hard afterwards)

[rileysaplank.livejournal.com]

Hope your day gets better.

Andy

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The AAA guy said it's the battery, but the guy at the gas station said it sounds like the starter (and a dead battery). The guy from work said that when the starter dies it doesn't make a sound, so it shouldn't be that. I really hope it's just the battery that needs replacing. At least it's payday today so I have the funds to pay for whatever needs replacing.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say that. My starter made a clicking noise when it died. It's kind of a tell tale sign (my uncle's a mechanic. I grew up fixing cars). LIke I said, I'm hoping it's the battery for your sake. Starters cost much more.

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

I, obviously, know nothing about cars, which is one reason I had a very minor panic attack when it wouldn't start. Given that the battery is five years old, it's due for replacement. I meant to take an overview class of how to look after your car around the time I bought it, but never got around to signing up for the class.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

You know it's a good class to have especially when you're female. They run 60 minute specials once a year on how service stations try to screw you (case in point ANY Jiffy Lube I've ever been too who tries to sell me little parts that I don't need). But 5 years, yeah it's probably the battery. That's what happened to me in July. I got it started with difficulty. I thought, damn, the battery's dying. Off to Sears I go which should have just said our express service is going to take 3 hours because we were right behind the theatre and I could have gone and watched a movie while they worked.

Oil changes every 3,000 miles,

Air filter change every year (or if you live in sandy desert places more often than that)

timing belt change (this is expensive but in some cars if you don't do this you can drop the pistons thru the head of the engine and then you're screwed) at about 60-70,000 miles

Does that help?

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Luckily I just had my oil changed six weeks ago. I'm usually a little over the 3,000 miles when I get it done, but not more than 5,000. My car still has relatively low mileage, under 39,000, so I probably won't have to worry about the timing belt for a while.

I had a good bonus at work this month, which I was going to apply to a new laptop, but maybe I should re-think that automotive class. I hate being caught off-guard and not knowing what's wrong and who to trust because I don't know if it's too expensive or really doesn't need to be worked on.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

sounds good. At least there's that bonus. I just got my first pay check and I'm wondering how to live on under 500$ a month...

[heathervamped.livejournal.com]

When the starter on one of my previous vehicles bit the dust, there was no sound at all when I turned the key. So, I'm agreeing with your guy from work. Don't let the guy at the garage replace your starter! Batteries are much cheaper!
Good luck!

heather

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

I just hope he calls me before just doing it. They have both my work and cell numbers. Ack, now I have all this anxiety. This si not how I wanted to start my holiday weekend.

[rileysaplank.livejournal.com]

Don't quote me on this, but if there's a clicking sound coming from the car, I'd say the starter's trying to get the engine turned over, so it sounds as though it's the battery and not the starter, but don't quote me on that.

Andy

[rileysaplank.livejournal.com]

But on re-reading your post, I'd say it's more likely to be your alternator, as in 40 minutes the battery should have enough charge to turn the engine over to get it started. So it sounds like the alternator not charging the battery.

Andy

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Ack, another thing to worry about being wrong! Whatever it is, I just hope this place can fix it, and not have it cost me too much. It's times like this I miss living near the T (subway).

Elisabeth

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Elisabeth! I am sorry you are having such a hideous day! My fingers are crossed for you, sweetie! I want it to get better for you immediately!

Gabrielle

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Thank you Gabrielle! At least I was still able to get to work - yipee (read heavy sarcasm).

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I know, it's adding insult to injury isn't? Not only did your car break down, but you STILL have to work! By the way, I would like to add my vote to those who think it's your battery, not your starter! I had the same problem once with a Volvo I drove.

Gabrielle

[ex-claudia69504.livejournal.com]

Hope everything turns out alright! I can definately say 'Been there, done that'. It sucks I know.

[night-pixie.livejournal.com]

Hope your day gets better, sweetie!! Sorry, but I don't know much about cars.

midnight