I was going to the range today, but something got in the way

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:56 pm

My wife came home from work last night and said: My truck is making a funny noise and it don't wanna start. Oh oh..........

So I go outside and listen to it. The alternator was howling. Bearings were shot. I went inside and put my shoes on, grabbed the Fluke meter and my 3 foot screwdriver / sound locater and went back outside. I told her to start it up.

Listened to the alt, confirmed it's shot, watched the Fluke, nothing but battery voltage, about 11.4 volts I think. NUTS!!!

Pulled the battery, put it on the charger in the garage, then backed my Pathfinder out of the way and pushed hers up close to the garage door.

Looked up the alternator at O'Reilly Auto Parts on line. $146.99 for a reman alternator. OUCH!!! All the stores in Springfield stocked one.
Looked up the alternator at NAPA on line. Four different choices, big price spread. They aren't open on Sunday anyway.

This morning, go outside dig out a half dozen rugs. It's not raining, but it's so humid and cool that EVERYTHING outside is wet. Fought with the truck to get the alt out. Got it out, went to O'Reilly, got the reman and a new belt. Gates of course. $170.82 total. Came home put it all back together.

Oh what a relief. Works great now, much quieter. 14.1 volts charging with every thing turned on.

Hooked up my little portable tire pump and aired up her front tires. Topped up all the under hood fluids too.

Wifie works a split shift. We got her truck fixed in time for her make it to the afternoon shift. Didn't loose all of todays income.

Now I have a question; Why is it that when your wife says: "My vehicle is making a funny noise", it never makes you laugh?

I never made it to the range

Joe

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:06 pm

Well at least it wasnt something to major.

When my wife says the car is making a funny noise I make all sorts of sounds and say quite a few words none of wich sounds like a laugh

.

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:08 pm

Joe,

I think you are quite fortunate in a way, think about all the guys out there who simply could not have figgured out how to change out their alternator.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:21 pm

I'm one of those people that are "mechanically" challenged. I admire your skills.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:23 pm

Good job Joe.
Sorry you missed out on the range time.
I get so caught up in things,I would have been cussing and whining all day, trying to fix that thing.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:29 pm

Not being rich I had to learn to fix my vehicles when I was in high school. My mom didn't have the funds to keep them going so it was up to me.

Funny thing is, today I didn't even scrape a knuckle. I usually get at least one cut or scrape.

Joe

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:33 pm

I would have barked a knuckle for sure, but I would have changed it out.

I need to tell you my auto repair story on the road to Alaska sometime.

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:40 pm

Recently my wife said her car was making a funny noise. Went into the garage there was a puddle of trans. fluid about six feet wide. New trans $3200.00.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:05 pm

3200.00 for a new trans. ???

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:12 pm

Gosh, only $170! I was up in Bismark, ND a couple of weeks ago, and noticed about 8pm on a Saturday, my voltmeter only showed 10 Volts. Waited till 8am on Sunday for the dealer to open only to be told they couldn't change it till Monday. So, I changed it out myself, $278.32. 8 degrees outside. Sometimes a guy just has to do what a guy has to do! Good on you for taking care of the wife's car.

Favorite story is seein' an elderly couple sitting on the side of the road with a flat; snowing with low visibility and the guy sitting on the rear bumper reading the owner's manual. I stopped across the road and asked if I could help. 10 minutes later I'm turning down cash, and wishing them a Merry XMas with their kids. All I could see was a couple about the age of my folks sitting on the side of the road while their kids wondered, "what happened to Mom & Pop!"

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:13 pm

And I thought I was the only one with that kind of luck! Glad to hear you made it out fairly cheap, that honestly isnt that much these days and it certainly could have been ALOT worse! Now you only have to deal with the disappointment of not getting to the range.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:39 pm

Oh well that's OK, I'll make it to the range Tuesday or Wednesday .... maybe.

Joe

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:42 pm

ScottT wrote:Joe,

I think you are quite fortunate in a way, think about all the guys out there who simply could not have figgured out how to change out their alternator.

That would be me! Glad to hear it wasn't major, and that you were able to fix it!!!

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:18 pm

Favorite story is seein' an elderly couple sitting on the side of the road with a flat; snowing with low visibility and the guy sitting on the rear bumper reading the owner's manual. I stopped across the road and asked if I could help. 10 minutes later I'm turning down cash, and wishing them a Merry XMas with their kids. All I could see was a couple about the age of my folks sitting on the side of the road while their kids wondered, "what happened to Mom & Pop!"

Thank You Griff, this world could use more people like you on the roads!

Mike S. · Post by **Mike S.** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:24 pm

It's always nice when it's something you can fix yourself.

A few years back, we hopped into the mini-van to head to church. Started it up & it was making an awful squealing/howling sound. Looked at my wife & she says "yea, it's been doing that since Tuesday". Took the truck to church & then had some function to attend that afternoon, so it was six o'clock before I got a chance to look at it. Slipped the belt off & checked the water pump - completely seized up. Fortunately, Checker is open sunday evenings. Got it all fixed in a couple hours. To this day tho, if she complains of a vehicle noise, I ask her if 'it's been doing that since Tuesday.'

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:19 am

Sure glad it was something you could identify and fix yourself! Also glad you could swing the parts cost. It's amazing how close we can be to financial ruin from something like that.

Mike,

That "since last Tuesday" line reminds me of my wife. I was tuning up my pickup, changing oil and all, and had been asking her if she was checking her oil regularly. (This is before we married) She always said she had. I offered to change her oil, but she wanted to have it done at Wal-mart. (Real professionals, ya know) So, we went grocery shopping while they did her car. They paged her about ten minutes later. I was thinking, "darn, that was quick!", we went back to see them, and they made her sign a waiver because her car was OUT OF OIL!

She hates that story, and REALLY hated it when I told her Dad, who had quite a chuckle.
She said, "Well, I figured SOMEBODY would check my oil!" (meaning me) I told her, "Well, hell, I thought you'd been driving for 10 years!"

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:03 am

My mom was good at letting things go too. One time I asked to borrow her '70 LeSabre and the first time I put the breaks on the left rear locked up. Then the car didn't want to move. I got it back to her house, jacked it up and checked the breaks. The outer axle seal had gone bad and the breaks were saturated with axle oil.
I asked her how long has it been like this? She didn't know, a week or so maybe. Then I asked why she didn't tell me so I could fix it? Her answer was: "I figured you drive it sooner or later and find it."

GROAN........

Joe

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:11 am

mescalero1 wrote:3200.00 for a new trans. ???

Ya, believe it or not. It is a PT Cruiser. It went out one month after the warranty had run out. I did lie a little on the post. $3200.00 was the total cost but after weeks of fighting with Chry. I did get it reduced some.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:24 am

[when your wife says: "My vehicle is making a funny noise"]

I'm not sure which is worse, that, or when she says: " I DON'T think that's funny ! "

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:49 am

Glad you could do it for yourself Joe. It would have been double that if you'd had to take it somewhere to be fixed.

I'm just too doggone cheap to pay someone to repair something I can fix for myself. Guess that's why I busted some knuckles and taught the neighbors a few new word combinations while replacing a tie rod end and yanking my tranny to replace a rear main seal right after Christmas. Prolly saved myself $500+.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:01 am

The only things I don't work on are computer system, transmissions, rear axles, and front alinements. I don't have the smarts and tools for them.

However at my age and physical dimensions I'd gladly pay someone else to do the rest of the work if I had the money.

Since my wife has been using this truck for pizza delivery for the last 6 years I've learned how to fix most of it. Grudgingly.

Joe

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:51 pm

Whenever my wife tells me that one of the vehicles is making funny noises, the very first thought that pops into my mind looks like this."$$$$$".

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:59 pm

When my wife says her vehicle is making a funny noise I always say a little prayer before I ask her "How long has it been making the noise?"

marlin shooter · Post by **marlin shooter** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:37 pm

I am a mechanic by trade and cringe when my wife say's her car is making noise's (or her parents, her and my friend's etc.) Good for you Joe and all you other's who can repair them yourself, you're saving a lot of money!
Karl

new pig hunter · Post by **new pig hunter** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:54 pm

only $146 for a reman alternator ??

wait till you gotta buy a one-of-a-kind reman Bosch alternator for your favorite hunting vehicle: a 1974 BMW 2002tii .....

Cheers,

Carl

p.s. it was $155 + tax. and some people don't believe in miracles......

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:37 pm

I can't remember if it was the Saburu, or the 95 Toyota 4cyl truck, but the change out of the serpintine belt needed a dedicated spring depresser of some kind......Paying to have it done was cheaper than buying the tool.......

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:50 pm

I was going to death valley in summer time and had to change out a water pump on my old 72 ford pickup, 125 degrees, trona, no shade, god that was fun!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:46 pm

bogus bill wrote:I was going to death valley in summer time and had to change out a water pump on my old 72 ford pickup, 125 degrees, trona, no shade, god that was fun!

I've had to work on my cars and trucks in Phoenix when it was well over a hundred. I know what you're saying. You can't touch anything, vehicle, tools, ground, nothing. It's all hot enough to burn you.

Boy do I miss the desert ....

Joe

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:57 pm

Joe,
Sorry to hear

that trouble with your wife's vehicle interupted your plans for a trip to the range....but glad

to learn that you were able to fix it aok.

Fortunately, I have been able to work on the family vehicles to keep them running. Fortunately, no issues with transmissions nor computers. Like yourself, I'll leave that to the experts.

Speaking of transmissions, I did hear of a fellow who put a bullet through his accidentally by placing a loaded rifle with the muzzle pointing downward inside the passenger compartment.

A self inflicted transmission dysfunction!!

w30wcf

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:38 pm

Speaking of transmissions, I did hear of a fellow who put a bullet through his accidentally by placing a loaded rifle with the muzzle pointing downward inside the passenger compartment. Shocked A self inflicted transmission dysfunction!!

Well, one thing for sure, that was a very expensive ND. Think he learned his lesson?

Joe

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:47 pm

J Miller wrote:Not being rich I had to learn to fix my vehicles when I was in high school. My mom didn't have the funds to keep them going so it was up to me.

Funny thing is, today I didn't even scrape a knuckle. I usually get at least one cut or scrape.

Joe

Okay, if you didn't bust a knuckle, the vehicle is setting you up. They demand blood before all is well. Don't turn your back on it.

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:14 pm

J Miller wrote:
Speaking of transmissions, I did hear of a fellow who put a bullet through his accidentally by placing a loaded rifle with the muzzle pointing downward inside the passenger compartment. Shocked A self inflicted transmission dysfunction!!
Well, one thing for sure, that was a very expensive ND. Think he learned his lesson?

Joe

Probably figures he has the odds beat.

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:29 pm

I haven't met a large mechanical device yet that doesn't demand a blood sacrifice to appease.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:35 pm

jeepnik wrote:
J Miller wrote:Not being rich I had to learn to fix my vehicles when I was in high school. My mom didn't have the funds to keep them going so it was up to me.

Funny thing is, today I didn't even scrape a knuckle. I usually get at least one cut or scrape.

Joe
Okay, if you didn't bust a knuckle, the vehicle is setting you up. They demand blood before all is well. Don't turn your back on it.

OK, now I'm worried .............

Joe

Mokwaw · Post by **Mokwaw** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:57 am

Glad you could fix it Joe. I was able to completely pull the engine, rebuild and reinstall the engine in a couple of days on my first car, course that was a 1951 Willys jeep with a flathead 4 cylinder. My mechanical apptitude on vehicles has come to a halt since they went to so much computer stuff. My wife had a 1999 VW Beetle, I changed out the battery on it once and 2 days later it was in the shop account of the computer chip was screwed up. I found out this was a fact for sure when one day I had the battery cables disconnected for some reason and again it went to the shop, computer chip screwed up from no juice. I asked my mechanic how you're suppose to change a battery then, he says they have a special thing that keeps the chip alive while the battery is disconnected, well that would have been nice to know ahead of time. Then I tried to change a burned out head light on the stupid thing, I couldn't even figure out how to get to the dang light to change it, took it to the VW dealer and cost me $65.00 to replace a headlight. Needless to say that VW found a new home real soon. I still do a few things on my 1990 Dodge pickup, but my wifes Bonneville always goes to the shop.

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:51 am

Anyone else sick of all the stupid sensors under the hood?

rimrock · Post by **rimrock** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:10 pm

Recently, I had a similar experience. The dead batteries (2 of them) in my 1994 F350 diesel cost me $559.47 because the special order cables were also bad!