My car died out of the blue/added info-The terminals on the battery was the culprit.
By Marsha
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
Midland, Michigan
February 16, 2019 10:11am CST
I drove my car to get my friend yesterday morning and we went to exercise and then I took her home again. The car was fine then.
A couple hours later I went to work, the car was fine then.
I got out of work and it started right up. I warmed it in the parking lot and left for home. Less than half a mile down the road the lights off my radio and the radio itself completely shut down for about one minute. I didn't notice anything else shutting down at that time and when the lights on my radio went back on everything seemed fine once again.
I use the automatic light feature which means they go on when it's disk or dark out and I also don't shut the lights off at the end either. But when I got home I shut the car off and took out the keys.
Normally I can listen to the radio until I open the door and the headlights light my way while I'm walking. But, last night when I shut it off and took out the keys everything shut down then and there. No music, no heater, no lights. Weird. I tried to turn on the overhead interior light and that wouldn't work either. Uh oh, now I knew something was really wrong. I tried to restart the car and nothing.
The car wasn't fine then.
My husband thinks maybe we blew one or more fuses and that may be all it is. For now he will take me to work. On Monday when we have more time we will check out the fuses or take the vehicle to my mechanic. Until it's fixed I can drive his car for a few days.
We now have an emergency fund so won't have to go into debt over this if it's not an easy fix.
It's now in the shop and the battery terminal is very corroded. I was able to drive it there after the wrecker jumped it. He said the alternator was fine.
Now we wait and see if it's more than the battery or what. The terminals were corroded and the cover broke off, but we bought a new battery and all is now good. Nothing else was needed.
16 people like this
14 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
That and or the alternator.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
16 Feb 19
Definitely not dull. At least we're not a one vehicle household so that helps.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Feb 19
@DianneN It was the battery after all. That's fixed, but now they are checking to see how much replacing my thermostat might cost. If it's too much I will wait until summer as winter should be almost over or at least not so cold one of these days, hopefully.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254948)
• United States
16 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman You are lucky for that!
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
16 Feb 19
I have experienced that a lot, not a good feeling. Hope you find out what it is.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
18 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman Well thats always good news. They can cost a lot. I know.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
18 Feb 19
@popciclecold it may end up being more than I thought but I'm waiting now for a tow. By tomorrow I will know more on cost or what exactly is wrong.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
I'm sure it won't be a major expense
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
25 Feb 19
We had corrosion on Jay's battery cables, which caused issues similar to yours. Eventually, he had to replace a part, I can't remember what it was. Then, the plug wires had to be replaced. Keeping two vehicles in repairs, costs a lot of money! I'm glad they are getting to the bottom of your car's problem.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 19
We got a new battery so that problem is fixed. I just wish out heater warmed up quicker in this cold weather.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Feb 19
@kobesbuddy same here although oddly enough today it's colder but a blue sky and it has heat for a change.
My older used can head heat faster than this one does. I wonder if it's a brand problem? Mine is a Pontiac Montana. But no, I think my last one was a Pontiac too. A Voyager
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
28 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman We bought a newer used car, last summer. That darn thing has a heater, that takes forever to warm up!
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
16 Feb 19
It is good that you have an emergency fund.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
Yes, it's not been in place very long but that's what it's for.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Feb 19
@amitkokiladitya If you use them on emergencies, then you shouldn't feel bad. That's what they are for.
The ultimate goal, though, is to save three to six months worth and put all but one thousand into some type of money fund that gains interest while keeping a portion out for fast cash for emergencies rather than reaching for the credit card.
We are taking a class on how to get out of debt and stay out. First is building the emergency fund to one thousand dollars. Then work at paying off debt starting with the lowest minimum due and then when that's paid off applying that amount to the next one due and piggyback the two payments until they are all paid off.
Then working on saving three to six months into a long term emergency fund for the possible event that some catastrophe hits in some way. We've already been through one of those, eleven years ago. We didn't have any emergency fund available and it took us eight years to pay off that medical bill.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
19 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman yep...the reality is that I always feel upset after using these funfs till I recollect them
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
16 Feb 19
We will know how serious once we know, I guess.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Feb 19
@dya80dya It was corroded and since the plastic that covers the terminal broke off we went ahead and got a new battery just to be on the safe side.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
I have an emergency fund for a change. Even it we needed a new alternator or battery I should have some leftover.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
16 Feb 19
If we had room in the garage or there wasn't I've all over the ground that might be feasible. The wrecker person may also know a few things to try, otherwise I'm sure we'll have to take it there for simplicity. But, we've been work them forever and they don't charge idea do everything they do
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
17 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman Good luck in finding out
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
I think joe hit the nail on the head but I will find out this week.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
I will know after we tow it in.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Feb 19
I would go with corroded battery terminal or blown fuse. I hope its a cheap and easy fix.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
16 Feb 19
So do I, but it will have to wait for another day to check it out. We will have to have it towed out there next week.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
17 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman
I hope you can figure out what is wrong with the car or the mechanic can.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
I think Joe's answer is probably correct and that is the alternator. I will update when I know.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
18 Feb 19
@MarshaMusselman
Thanks for letting us know.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Feb 19
We're thinking maybe the alternator or, and the battery. You can read Joe's two answers to see why.
1 person likes this
@everwonderwhy (7355)
•
18 Feb 19
Oh, no! These car break-downs aren't welcome visitors in life. But they just barge in without calling first. Anyway, I can relate with you and your car-story. I hope you get your car checked and fixed soon. Let us know how it turns out
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Feb 19
We bought a new battery and I think that's all that's needed at present. I'm looking forward to warmer temps to see if my heater remembers what it's there for. At present it's so cold that I'm home before I feel much of the heat and my seats aren't heated so I can't get any heat that way.
WHat type of temps do you have currently in Australia? I'm guessing you don't get snow there and possibly it doesn't get too cold on that side of the world?
I did see where a main river going north to south was flooding a week or so ago, so I was praying that fizzled out, but haven't heard how it's been since. And, possibly you and Judy are so far from there that it's not something you hear about often either?
