Lessons in Automotive Care
I have a really bad habit of leaving my car's headlights on. This ordinarily wouldn't be a problem since most cars have a "you left your lights on, retard" feature. This feature, however, is moot when the little door sensor is busted. Mine has been for about three years now. So Wednesday morning, I have to jump my car to get it going as I've done several other times before. It seems to have gone fine until I realize that the speedometer is no longer working at all. And the car is shifting really roughly. Hmmm. Since I was going to be downtown on Thursday anyway, I decided to swing by the Saturn dealership and let them have a look-see at it.
Yesterday, I found out that the latest jump had pretty much made most of the electrical components freak out. In addition to about 20 error codes in the computer, it also blew out a sensor, several tail and head lights and a bunch of indicator lights in the dash. The damage came to around $300.
Needless to say, the door sensor is now on order and will be replaced Real Soon Now™.
Jesse
Shauna
But how are the seat warmers? Are the seat warmers still working?
They emerged unscathed.
Or the one I need is,” Your about to lock the keys in the car again Stupid!”
The car never quits educating. I once jumped mine and when it started I pulled the cables off but it stalled as soon as I got in the car. No problem I will just hook them up again. This time not bothering with my flashlight (it was night) to check polarity. Well after spending a grand to replace the computer I burned out ,I never do that again. After many bouts with the key in the ignition or on the seat, I now have a spare key in my wallet.
NO FUN! I’d leave my lights on more often if I a) ever drove or b)didn’t have a auto off feature when the car is turned off.
Could be worse. You could be driving a VW…
I worked with a guy who had purchased a used Cabriolet that ended up being nothing but problems. After a few months and only a handful of drivable days with the thing, he dumped it in favor of a Miata. It seems that VW has some serious quality control issues.
In the summer, I pull the doors off of my Jeep, and have to remove the fuse for it, so the overhead light doesn’t stay on. At least once over the course of the summer, I end up leaving my lights on, and have to have a jump. I really need to get the switch override, instead. I really don’t want to repeat your experience. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂