Can we catch a freaking break--PLEASE???

[davsand]

Since Halloween, when hubby informed me his job has been cut to half time, and will most likely stay that way for the next 6 months, the finances have been in the pits. We figured out we could make it--barely--on what he has left--but it is really tight. Tonight, he comes in the door and informs me the check engine light just came on in our one running car...


I dunno whether to bang my head on a wall or just sit and cry.


:banghead: :cry:



Laura

[kimmerspixelated]

1. Sometimes lights come on for no reason.

It might not be so bad. It could be something to do with the sensor, the messenger.

[davsand]

2. We have an extended warranty and that is the only hope I've got right now.

I HOPE it is only a minor thing, but given the last two weeks I am fresh outta optimism for any kind of truly positive outcome. Feels like I have been busting my hump to try and climb out of an economic death trap, and for every step forward there have been two more taking us back into a quagmire. Our long range plan was that the next year or two were gonna be lean, but this is WAY past "lean" and getting dangerously close to hopeless. If it keeps on like this for too much longer we are not gonna survive this.

I am a typical Taurus, I guess--money is a fundamental security issue for me and I am headed into a fetal position under the kitchen table unless something breaks our way fairly soon.



Laura

[JanMichael]

3. What kind of car is it?

In 2009- to the end of 2010, if we had a problem, it amounted to thousands. Believe me, we know how you feel.

But, the CE light can be taken care of pretty cheaply-- what's the make and model? Btw...CE lights oftentimes are cheap, crappy fixes. Our Subie light came on, and it was the O2 sensor...but, let the sucker get a massive leak of some kind...smoke coming out from under the hood? That thing never lights up.

[davsand]

4. 2007 Dodge Caliber

They had it for almost three weeks last winter when the check engine light went on. Started out they thought it was a bad fuel injector, it got replaced, then it still was not right and they realized that a valve had burned. They replaced that and then when they test drove it they realized the ball joint was bad and needed to be replaced... Thankfully the warranty covered it all--it was around $2500 by the time it was done.

I paid for an oil change and the warranty covered the rest.

Frankly, this car has been nothing but trouble. I have had to have the gear shift cable replaced, the fan in the heater died, and there was some other funkiness that I never did understand that kept that car in the shop for three days. If it didn't have that warranty, I think I'd have had to sell it off because the repairs have all been fairly painful ones. I will NEVER buy another Dodge--EVER. The lack of reliability is just not acceptable. I would, however, buy another extended warranty in a heartbeat. Best money I ever spent.



Laura

[JanMichael]

5. oh lord

I hope it's just something stupid this time...like I said, I know how you feel...we had two years like that...it was plain hell.

I am so sorry. I really, really hope this is nothing.

[Gin]

6. increase your exemptions....never knew I could do that and it

helped me when I needed extra funds.

It will get better.

[Howler]

9. Davsand.

Your Good break is just around the corner I can feel it! Hold on
Sending thought of Abundance and prosperity your way.

[liberalmuse]

7. Go to Autozone...

and borrow a code reader - plug it in under the dash and it will let you know what is wrong. That will save you money in needless repairs. It's free!

[onecent]

10. Yes do go to Autozone. Years ago my son-in-law who

was a master mechanic with the Marine Corp took me there for some issue with my vehicle. He already knew what the issue was and asked to have that code reader, and then after using
the reader told the autozone fella what part he needed. The guy argued with my son-in-law telling him he didn't know what he was talking about.

Through the course of their conversation they began to like each other and with humor they both made a side bet of nothing worth anything...but I had forgotten that
a person can use this. It certainly cannot hurt and is free.

Good luck to you. (I believe also that if you don't know how to use the code reader they will assist you)
Penny

[Celebration]

8. .......

:hug:

This too shall pass.

[BlueIris]

11. Hi, davsand. FWIW, I'm "getting" that your money situation will improve

by the time the Sun is in Taurus...April, I think. Just in time for the end of the Mars Rx.

[davsand]

12. You are closer to it than you realize!

It is entirely possible that we will be in better shape by April. We may know more a little sooner than that, but April was really kinda what we were expecting as well! :)



Laura

[davsand]

13. Update--we DID catch a break!

That trouble light turned itself off!

When I called the dealership about that car, the service rep told me to hang up the phone and go twiddle the gas cap to make sure it was on tightly. I did that, and the idiot light was no longer lit up when I started the car! It was very clear when I talked to him that he thought it was a gas cap issue, and he was right! He could have let that car come in the shop and have charged money for it, but he chose not to do that. I am incredibly happy with them right now for being honest with me!

We are still gonna be on a bare bones budget for the next year or so, but at least we are gonna keep it together and keep it afloat for a while longer. I am looking to pick up some side work and so is hubby, but we did dodge a bullet with this one.

To make things even more amazing, I came to DU and found that somebody bought me a star! Dunno who it was, but I suspect it was somebody in here. I'll never know for sure, but I came in here at wits end, and suddenly the burdens were lightened. You all rock, and I love you.

THANK YOU!!!!!



Laura