Quote:
Originally Posted by Aurelius710
I did the math. There might be a possibility of me getting everything I need and want out of this situation. It's a slim possibility, but the odds are definitely not zero!
If I can get out of this with a new battery and a couple quarts of oil for the engine, I should have enough money left to get quality tires for the car. That's one purchase I don't want to skimp on if I can help it!
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I should stop being optimistic for a while. Found the problem. It's the alternator. The alternator is running ridiculously fast therefore the battery is getting way more power than it should, hence the near electrical fire and/or explosion yesterday.
My mechanic's estimate: $650 give or take $25. That's actually pretty fair given how much the two items run. Still, I can't afford it with $580 to my name right now. So, that brings me back to my dad's circle of mechanic contacts. This might be an issue as my dad seems to be unwilling to accept the reality that prices might have gone up since 2001 or even 2008. He thinks he can get an new alternator and battery installed for $200 with labor included. I can MAYBE get it down to $400 for parts and that's if I buy the cheap stuff. I'm not doing that if I can help it!
Not much to be done without a vehicle. If it doesn't get fixed tomorrow... well, I go back to work Wednesday.
