Car broke down

[Sygaldry]

So I went to start my car this morning and the car made 2 super loud banging noises and now the ignition won't turn over (it turns but the engine doesn't start).

Looks like my crankshaft position sensor went to crap 

Anyway, I thought it was a good time to check what else my car needed... and low and behold - the banging noises blew a hole in my exhaust.

So now I have to spend about 300 to get those fixed.

This all on top of having to change tires (tread worn almost through) and brake pads, another 400 or so

FML

I will probably have to sell off most of keyboard stuff to pay for the repairs and maintenance this month.

Anyone else have unfortunate car stories to share to make me feel better?

[tp4tissue]

A few months of Top -Ramen may allow you to keep those keyboards.

[Flyersfan1]

So I went to start my car this morning and the car made 2 super loud banging noises and now the ignition won't turn over (it turns but the engine doesn't start).

Looks like my crankshaft position sensor went to crap 

Anyway, I thought it was a good time to check what else my car needed... and low and behold - the banging noises blew a hole in my exhaust.

So now I have to spend about 300 to get those fixed.

This all on top of having to change tires (tread worn almost through) and brake pads, another 400 or so

FML

I will probably have to sell off most of keyboard stuff to pay for the repairs and maintenance this month.

Anyone else have unfortunate car stories to share to make me feel better?

Not car related, but I had a host of health issues spring up on me last summer, had to sell many of the keyboards I loved to cover the outrageous medical bills I owed.  Still recovering health and financial wise today, but doing better now than I was back in August.  It really sucks when things like this happen, but don't worry, mechanical keyboards aren't going anywhere and you'll always be able to reacquire anything you might have to sell in the short term.

[IvanIvanovich]

Last time I was looking at expensive car repairs... I said **** that ****, sold it and bought a bicycle.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

The fuel pump died in my car a mere two weeks after I bought it. Needless to say, I was pissed.

$350 later, my car has been running fine, but has had a few other intermittent issues with the ABS (speed sensor).

I hate American cars.

[Novus]

Car woes.
This was me a few months back
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62826.msg1471440#msg1471440

https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=62826.0;attach=77185;image
https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=62826.0;attach=77224;image

[radio_killah]

Last time I was looking at expensive car repairs... I said **** that ****, sold it and bought a bicycle.

Only if. In the US it is so hard to get anywhere without a car because everything is so spread out.

[C5Allroad]

Ahhh a ****ty experience....

Picked up my Allroad from New York... Drove it down with dad back to Miami, once we got on the highway we noticed the transmission was in safe mode... No turning back at that point.

Went all night driving at 60mph, and at 3,000rpm. In Woodbine Georgia the transmission sorta gave up...

Had to talk on the phone with u-haul for 3 hours to get a trailer for the car, not one of those dollies. When we got a taxi to drop us off at u-haul, the husband of the wife working behind the cashier shows up and starts screaming because the trailer was already reserved. They let us go with it anyway.

Now my air bags are leaking... Might need to replace the air compressor also.

How it sits now...



And that's the leak that annoys me...

[tp4tissue]

Basically, I think for mom/dad car.. always get the non-premium car with the premium engine...

like if you wanted to get an acura tsx, don't, get the accord with the v6.. virtually the same damn engine, for $20,000 less.

[demik]

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

[tp4tissue]

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

didn't know you were a woman..  now it all make sense..

[demik]

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

didn't know you were a woman..  now it all make sense..

ok.

[Novus]

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

didn't know you were a woman..  now it all make sense..

That's why she's called milky and oppressed.
As a woman yourself, you should have known that teepee.

[tp4tissue]

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

didn't know you were a woman..  now it all make sense..

That's why she's called milky and oppressed.
As a woman yourself, you should have known that teepee.

Just saying.. what kinda man doesn't have at least 2 jumper-battery-packs per car..

This level of automotive unpreparedness , characteristically female..

[demik]

totally. guess i should tell me parents what i learned about myself on the internet.

[HoffmanMyster]

Now my air bags are leaking...

 

Do you mean this in the sense of a bagged car, or are your air bags actually leaking?  Cause I don't think that's a thing.

[Novus]

There were faulty airbags by that Japanese company though.

[HoffmanMyster]

There were faulty airbags by that Japanese company though.

Air bags work by chemical reaction though, so a "leak" isn't a thing they can do.

[tjcaustin]

He means the suspension air shocks.  /wetbag

[HoffmanMyster]

He means the suspension air shocks.  /wetbag

Thanks.  That's what I figured, but didn't want to assume.

[C5Allroad]

Now my air bags are leaking...

 

Do you mean this in the sense of a bagged car, or are your air bags actually leaking?  Cause I don't think that's a thing.

Well... "Audi air springs" the bladder has some micro cracks in it.
The front ones on these cars tend to take a **** after 12 years.
As does the air compressor in the back as it the o-ring around around the piston dries up. Been trying to find a set for the front without breaking the bank though.
I think a used set runs for about $100-$150. Which to me, that would perfect.

There were faulty airbags by that Japanese company though.

I don't think the Takata recall affected Audi lol.

[tp4tissue]

Now my air bags are leaking...

 

Do you mean this in the sense of a bagged car, or are your air bags actually leaking?  Cause I don't think that's a thing.

Well... "Audi air springs" the bladder has some micro cracks in it.
The front ones on these cars tend to take a **** after 12 years.
As does the air compressor in the back as it the o-ring around around the piston dries up. Been trying to find a set for the front without breaking the bank though.
I think a used set runs for about $100-$150. Which to me, that would perfect.

There were faulty airbags by that Japanese company though.

I don't think the Takata recall affected Audi lol.

it might.. lots of people buy from takata not just honda.. like bmw german..

[C5Allroad]

I don't think audi was on the list last I saw it though. I need to dig that list up again.

[katushkin]

I had a Vauxhall Vectra about two years ago that I bought off a friend for like 200 pounds, and it had been owned by about 4 guys in the regiment I was in at the time already. It was pretty quick for a big car, and a lot of fun.

One day third gear stopped working, which was ok, I just skipped it which didn't ruin my driving experience that much. Then a few weeks later, fourth gear went as well. Luckily I could go up to 60mph in second, so I had to go first - second - fifth. Which made for some exciting situations at low speed (20mph in 5th gear) and overtaking on country roads (dropping from 5th to 2nd to overtake someone).

It was a friday afternoon, and I had finished work and was getting ready to drive the 120 miles back home. I had finished quite early, so the rush to the petrol station hadn't quite started yet. I drove out of camp, to the petrol station, filled up and drove back to camp. I got through the gates (20mph speed limit) and I changed up into 5th to cruise the mile or so back to the car park outside my block. As I put it in fifth, my left foot hit the floor. My clutch had gone. So I was driving in 5th gear, in a 20mp zone, with no idea how I would stop.

I ended up flying round about half a dozen corners to get into this car park, and throwing it diagonally across two parking spaces and turning the engine off when I thought I was far enough in. I had bought a gearbox a few weeks earlier, but the one week I had it out of my boot was the one week I needed it... Ended up having to pay to have it shipped down to my local garage, and then pay for a brand new clutch too. About 800 GBP in all.

In all her glory.

[Joey Quinn]

Ahhh a ****ty experience....

Picked up my Allroad from New York... Drove it down with dad back to Miami, once we got on the highway we noticed the transmission was in safe mode... No turning back at that point.

Went all night driving at 60mph, and at 3,000rpm. In Woodbine Georgia the transmission sorta gave up...

Had to talk on the phone with u-haul for 3 hours to get a trailer for the car, not one of those dollies. When we got a taxi to drop us off at u-haul, the husband of the wife working behind the cashier shows up and starts screaming because the trailer was already reserved. They let us go with it anyway.

Now my air bags are leaking... Might need to replace the air compressor also.

How it sits now...

Show Image

Show Image

And that's the leak that annoys me...

My dad had an Allroad for 6ish years and the air bag suspension was always leaking, I have no clue how much he must have spent fixing it. Other than that it's a great car.

[C5Allroad]

Ahhh a ****ty experience....

Picked up my Allroad from New York... Drove it down with dad back to Miami, once we got on the highway we noticed the transmission was in safe mode... No turning back at that point.

Went all night driving at 60mph, and at 3,000rpm. In Woodbine Georgia the transmission sorta gave up...

Had to talk on the phone with u-haul for 3 hours to get a trailer for the car, not one of those dollies. When we got a taxi to drop us off at u-haul, the husband of the wife working behind the cashier shows up and starts screaming because the trailer was already reserved. They let us go with it anyway.

Now my air bags are leaking... Might need to replace the air compressor also.

How it sits now...

Show Image

Show Image

And that's the leak that annoys me...

My dad had an Allroad for 6ish years and the air bag suspension was always leaking, I have no clue how much he must have spent fixing it. Other than that it's a great car.

Its a wonderful car.

Just that it has its issues. The 2.7T is flawed with leaks on most cars. Like the B5 S4, C5 A6 and my allroad. Usually the cam seals or valve cover gaskets.

[Psybin]

When I started dating my now wife in 2008 she was driving a 2000 Jetta with 150k miles and very little done on the maintenance schedule. Fortunately popular cars like that have strong forum communities and tons of DIY guides (or find a bootleg factory maintenance manual), I became a pro working on that car lol, timing belt, water pump, coolant, oil pan, radiator, cat, various sensors, brakes, fuel pump, fuel filter, etc, etc.

Some cheap tools from Harbor Freight or rented from AutoZone, lower online part prices, and some ability to turn a wrench and you can do most things yourself and save a ton of $ if you have a place to do it.  Check engine light, get it read for free, google the code, buy the sensor (or clean it for many ABS light problems), replace, profit. Brakes pads, exhaust changes, and even to a lesser extent, fuel pumps (although dropping a gas tank sucks) it’s really not that bad. The only difference between me and most mechanics is they can do it twice as fast and have nicer tools. Otherwise unless I have to change a clutch or a timing belt on a super complicated car, I’ll try to do it myself.

[C5Allroad]

Tools are expensive lol.

I have a CEL which is for both post(or was it pre) cat sensors thinking the car is running lean. I know I have a leak somewhere though.

[Geroximo]

Some cheap tools from Harbor Freight or rented from AutoZone, lower online part prices, and some ability to turn a wrench and you can do most things yourself and save a ton of $ if you have a place to do it.  Check engine light, get it read for free, google the code, buy the sensor (or clean it for many ABS light problems), replace, profit. Brakes pads, exhaust changes, and even to a lesser extent, fuel pumps (although dropping a gas tank sucks) it’s really not that bad. The only difference between me and most mechanics is they can do it twice as fast and have nicer tools. Otherwise unless I have to change a clutch or a timing belt on a super complicated car, I’ll try to do it myself.

This.
Not only does it save you money, you also learn how your car works, and that it is not some sort of magical machinery. It's often pretty straight forward. Just bolts and nuts.

[cooldiscretion]

So I went to start my car this morning and the car made 2 super loud banging noises and now the ignition won't turn over (it turns but the engine doesn't start).

Looks like my crankshaft position sensor went to crap 

Anyway, I thought it was a good time to check what else my car needed... and low and behold - the banging noises blew a hole in my exhaust.

So now I have to spend about 300 to get those fixed.

This all on top of having to change tires (tread worn almost through) and brake pads, another 400 or so

FML

I will probably have to sell off most of keyboard stuff to pay for the repairs and maintenance this month.

Anyone else have unfortunate car stories to share to make me feel better?

No way, man.  Horrible luck.  Hopefully, some of the people you sell stuff to know you and might be willing to sell it back to you when
you get some more cash.  I've definitely had my fair share of car troubles.  Rolled my car (a Honda Civic) when I was 16 and a pretty
inexperienced driver, but from there on all additional problems weren't directly related to my driving.  )  Now, I drive like a super cautious person.

[dorkvader]

Last time I was looking at expensive car repairs... I said **** that ****, sold it and bought a bicycle.

Only if. In the US it is so hard to get anywhere without a car because everything is so spread out.

I used to bike back and forth to work every day, saved a bundle. It was only about 3000 miles (5000 Km) a year.

car didn't turn on one morning.

waited for autozone to open and replaced the battery.

Jumper cables are crucial to get your car to the local car parts store. (push starting your car in the winter in no fun. I think I'd just bike there and buy a battery and bike home)

[Lu_e]

^ Bike... with... a battery? THAT sounds like fun. Hope you got a rack or something, and like a motorcycle sized battery lol

You guys have completely re-enforced my feeling of never wanting to own a modern vw.

I've been diagnosing a dying PCM in my truck and it's finally time to figure out why it randomly quits. Gotta love 90's cars electronics & their old outdated on-board diagnostics.