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So, go out to start the car a couple of days ago, frozen solid, lights come on, but it won't start.

Finally get it started, but it stalls out after a minute. Figure it's the battery.

Call the auto club. Tow truck shows up, booster pack, test the battery, battery is good, something else is wrong, it needs to go to the shop. Not the battery, not the starter, maybe the alternator, maybe the computer is punched... something serious is going on.

Next day, shop is open, time for a tow, Two tow trucks with three guys show up, boost the hell out of the battery, try every other conceivable thing to get it running. No joy. Two hours later they tow it away.

Mechanic calls, he already has my name and number from the tow truck guys, they'll see what they can do, maybe call back later today.

Five o'clock, mechanic calls, tells me everything they did, full diagnostics of electrical system, tracked it down to three components, found a loose wire, corrosion, fixed it, test drove the car, good as new, two hours labor plus taxes = $250.

Could have been $3000.

Honest mechanics, honest tow truck drivers... found the problem and fixed it cheap, same day. Five man team effort.

I felt bad the job was so cheap, I ordered extra work to make the effort more profitable.

Pick it up in a couple of hours. Getting a free ride over to the shop.

White people.

Post Script: The Old Guy was in there this morning, had to be 65 years easily, door lock was sticking a bit, he put a little WD 40 in there, got it working too:)

Damn I love this town.

I threw in the new car battery anyways just because that other one was looking kind of suspect you know? Total Job $430, Canadian. Paid cash in full as I do. He gave me the corroded plug too:)

The locals all say he's the best in town.

So, go out to start the car a couple of days ago, frozen solid, lights come on, but it won't start. Finally get it started, but it stalls out after a minute. Figure it's the battery. Call the auto club. Tow truck shows up, booster pack, test the battery, battery is good, something else is wrong, it needs to go to the shop. Not the battery, not the starter, maybe the alternator, maybe the computer is punched... something serious is going on. Next day, shop is open, time for a tow, Two tow trucks with three guys show up, boost the hell out of the battery, try every other conceivable thing to get it running. No joy. Two hours later they tow it away. Mechanic calls, he already has my name and number from the tow truck guys, they'll see what they can do, maybe call back later today. Five o'clock, mechanic calls, tells me everything they did, full diagnostics of electrical system, tracked it down to three components, found a loose wire, corrosion, fixed it, test drove the car, good as new, two hours labor plus taxes = $250. Could have been $3000. Honest mechanics, honest tow truck drivers... found the problem and fixed it cheap, same day. Five man team effort. I felt bad the job was so cheap, I ordered extra work to make the effort more profitable. Pick it up in a couple of hours. Getting a free ride over to the shop. White people. Post Script: The Old Guy was in there this morning, had to be 65 years easily, door lock was sticking a bit, he put a little WD 40 in there, got it working too:) Damn I love this town. I threw in the new car battery anyways just because that other one was looking kind of suspect you know? Total Job $430, Canadian. Paid cash in full as I do. He gave me the corroded plug too:) The locals all say he's the best in town.

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[–] • 2 pts

This one, the wire corroded through right where it connected inside a plastic plug cover, the only place where the wire was bare - quite hidden from view. Probably seen it before and knew to check there.

You figure the intermittent performance was that wire was just close enough for the electricity to cross the gap, and as soon as we tried to move the car it would short dead. A skilled tech would know what that means, but only a very close inspection could have found what they did.

I teach computer diagnostics - and in my professional opinion that was some grade A+ electrical system auto diagnostics in action. They know their stuff.

[–] • 1 pt

I'd put that mechanic in retainer. Glad you're up and running.

[–] • 1 pt

Connections under the plastic cap would have to be bare for proper contact whether positive, negative or ground. A loose/corroded ground wire can cause the problem you had and mechanics will look for that next after the obvious battery, alternator, starter checks. Coating the connections with Penetrox, an anti-corrosive zinc paste will help.

[+] [deleted] • 1 pt