Life hates me

[Pixilated]

I got myself into some serious debt issues and have been digging my way out for a couple of years now. I am down to two debts (credit card and student loan - mine) and am finally getting those in order, although it will still be a while before they are paid off. (I've learned the communication is king; you let them know what's going on and they will actually work to help you.)

Then my one cat had a medical crisis. $2,500 vet bill. I had to ask my brother to help with that one.

Today my car broke down. Battery is dead, which is bad enough, but something is seriously wrong with the steering. The battery warning light went on and then about five minutes later the "AB [something]" light and the emergency brake light went on. That's when the steering went wonky; it became almost impossible to turn the wheel. Luckily I had CAA (Canadian version of AAA) and got the car towed to my new mechanic -- and the tow driver was kind enough to drop me off at my apartment before taking off with my car. (I gave him a $5 tip for that.)

I'm going to have to call bro for help again. I'm pretty sure he'll help (if I lose the car I lose my job and then I'm really and truly fucked) but I'm still not looking forward to it.

[Kit-Ginevra]

sending hugs over

[Pixilated]

sending hugs over

Thank you. I am probably going to talk to the scheduler at work and say if she wants to assign me a fourth shift per week I will welcome it. Well ... once I have a drivable car again, anyway. Had to bail on a Sunday shift as it was. The mechanic won't even be able to look at my car until Monday or Tuesday.

[dalesys]

"Sometimes, I think when things are too quiet up there, you say to yourself: Let's see, what kind of mischief can I play on my friend, Tevye Pixilated?

[Pixilated]

"Sometimes, I think when things are too quiet up there, you say to yourself: Let's see, what kind of mischief can I play on my friend, Tevye Pixilated?

Well, they can KNOCK IT OFF ANYTIME!!

[csquared]

May not be as bad as you think. All those symptoms can be tied back to electrical. It might just be your alternator. 🤞

[Arcus]

Last time I had a battery that was just about to fail I lost power steering (electric power assist) Air conditioning, cruise control, and the ABS light came on. GM programed it so that AC, cruise, and ABS warning lights come on to force people to head to the mechanic. Alternator was okay, but it was giving all it had to try and charge a failing battery so it couldn't give enough to the power steering and the computer shut that off too.

All I needed was a battery when the car was acting like it was about to give up on me. Thanks GM.

[Food Lady]

Why does everything happen at the same time?

Oh, and what Arcus said. I got a new battery a year ago and she was a brand new car.

[Pixilated]

May not be as bad as you think. All those symptoms can be tied back to electrical. It might just be your alternator. 🤞

My biggest concern would be that they tell me the car is toast.
It's not.
*PHEW*
But I'm looking at a $1,700 repair bill. Biggest parts are the serpentine belt and alternator, and battery. He *could* jump-start my battery but when the mechanic says "How old IS this battery?" ... I said "It sounds to me like you're indicating a jump-start is not a good option" and he laughed and said "Glad you picked up on that."

Small details: left rear brake light bulb is out; the rear wiper is shredded (which I knew, of course); and it needs an oil change. Oh, and I'd been hearing a rattling under the car, apparently that's a heat shield partly disconnected and hitting the exhaust. I think they're just going to nail it back in place.

And I need to "keep an eye" on my brake lines near the firewall, although they are not (yet) leaking or wet.

*****
I've left a message for brother to please contact me when he has a moment. It'll probably be later tonight, so I won't be able to get back to the mechanic until tomorrow. I hope they can get the repairs done tomorrow, because I have a shift on Thursday. My CPP etc. comes in tomorrow so if they can't get to the car tomorrow (I'm assuming brother will be willing to help, of course), I will be taking a taxi to work ... and the cost of that will basically negate my entire wages for that shift.

[Pixilated]

Last time I had a battery that was just about to fail I lost power steering (electric power assist) Air conditioning, cruise control, and the ABS light came on. GM programed it so that AC, cruise, and ABS warning lights come on to force people to head to the mechanic. Alternator was okay, but it was giving all it had to try and charge a failing battery so it couldn't give enough to the power steering and the computer shut that off too.

All I needed was a battery when the car was acting like it was about to give up on me. Thanks GM.

I swear, cars are like cats (well, there IS only one letter's difference between the two). They like to play mind games with people!

[Pixilated]

Why does everything happen at the same time?

Oh, and what Arcus said. I got a new battery a year ago and she was a brand new car.

Wow. I would have been none too pleased if a NEW car needed a battery replacement.

[Kristev]

Not pleased, but I wouldn't be surprised, either. Standards are falling everywhere.