Auto Repair question - electric system - My wife's car is having some electrical problems. You can get it started if you play with it, but any time you do anything electrical, ie turn on or off the headlights, use the turn signals, etc, it shuts off. AND when it's shut off, you cannot put it in gear!
So, I limped it home, put on the parking brake, left it in neutral, blocked the tires, and seeing as how its almost 5pm on a saturday, Im guessing it's gonna sit till I take it somewhere on Monday - That's where I could use some help -
Does anyone know of a reliable place that does auto-electric work? Preferably in West toledo?
I believe a topic a few months back, someone recommended Secor Automotive, but I cant remember if that's true or not...
Can anyone help?
posted by billy to business at 3:57 P.M. EST (19 Comments)
Comments ...
Whatever you do, don't take it to Midas..at least not the one on Woodville Rd. They don't know what the hell they're doing for anything other than mufflers, and I won't even go back there for that. Tireman is not much better.
Is there any chance you can afford to take it to a dealer? I've had so much bad luck with the peripheral shops, I'm never going anywhere but a dealer ever again.
posted by nana at 05:00 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Thanks but no thanks Nana - no dealers for me. But ironic as it is, seeing as I live in west toledo, I am familiar with the midas on woodville road! A family friend worked there, and actually quit, because the boss TOLD him to do unnecessary work on a car - just to rip customers off!
posted by billy at 06:02 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
billy - send me an email. That's what the oldest son does.
www.toledopoliticians.com
posted by katie82640 at 07:06 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Go take the service manual out of the library, buy a multimeter, and troubleshoot it yourself.
If it's not blowing fuses, the computer is probably hosed.
Disconnect the battery for a while on the odd chance it might reset.
posted by anonymouscoward at 08:06 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
If you have AAA membership I recommend you taking it to the AAA service center. They provide great service and prices for their members. I've got my oil changed, brakes checked out, windows repair, etc, etc. Check it out if you are weary of the other auto places. Another good place is Earl Bros., and I've got no complaints of their services.
posted by HolyHolyToledo at 08:25 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
I used to have a 1979 Toyota that I had to disconnect the battery several times a year to let the computer reset. Other than that, it was one of the best cars I ever had.
posted by Darkseid at 08:36 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Is Toledo Auto Electric still around? They were about the best place in town for an electrical problem, but I can't remember where they were located.
posted by Darkseid at 08:42 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
First item in this Q&A: http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2006/06/16/june_16_2006/
posted by GuestZero at 09:26 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
My husband was wondering what yr make & model it is. He was an auto repair mgr in the past. if it's a newer car, take it to dealer, otherwise check out Beverly Automotive. They are great people there.
If you hadn't mentioned the lights being an issue, he would have said the neutral safety switch might be something to look at. He's not seen the lights play into that, though.
Good luck.
posted by gotoledogo at 10:57 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Thanks but no thanks Nana - no dealers for me. But ironic as it is, seeing as I live in west toledo, I am familiar with the midas on woodville road! A family friend worked there, and actually quit, because the boss TOLD him to do unnecessary work on a car - just to rip customers off!
posted by billy at 07:02 P.M. EDT on Sat Aug 12, 2006
Billy, they didn't do unneccessary work, their incompetence crippled my car! It's a long long story, a weeklong nightmare that takes a week to relate...suffice to say they got something in #1 cylinder that destroyed it and Yark took care of me and fixed it. It was a shock and a hard lesson learned. I will never ever go anywhere but Yark again.
posted by nana at 11:21 P.M. EST on Sat Aug 12, 2006 #
Replace the battery and if that doesn't work ask for a telzon test. Good luck!
posted by jeepgal at 01:59 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
It's a 97 Buick Regal. The wife says if you use the blinkers, the dashboard lights up like a christmas tree and the car shuts off. Power steering and brakes go out and she coasted to a parking lot.
It does have a remote car starter installed in it for about 5 years now. If we disconnect the battery that thing will need some kind of reset I'm sure.
posted by billy at 07:01 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
Try Frank's Auto Electric at 3446 Upton Ave. across from Toledo Technology Acadeny (Old DeVilbiss High)!! I highly recommend it. Very good people. Very honest people. They will help you out.
posted by fredbruford at 07:54 A.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
My brother's a expert in electrical systems in cars. I emailed him a copy of your post. Here's his reply:
"It sounds like a alternator or ground problem. What kind of car is it? I would bet it is just a charging problem. Jim Walz Automotive is good and fair."
My brother left Toledo a couple years ago, but he keeps in touch with friends who are still in the business. Good luck.
posted by YakRider at 07:29 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
Here's what my brother said when I told him it was a 97 Buick Regal: "This has nothing to do with the computer controls, it has no body computer. If it is charging then it is a ground problem or could be a short in the turn signal switch. That was a big problem in that year."
posted by YakRider at 09:30 P.M. EST on Sun Aug 13, 2006 #
Baer automotive on woodville is excellent for everything, and reasonably priced as well. So is danny r's on navarre. Those are the only 2 places that i would ever use.
posted by tm at 09:59 A.M. EST on Mon Aug 14, 2006 #
Billy, from the info you posted ,I would lean towards a bad alternator.I would need more info or testing to be sure.Good luck. I hope that you find an honest and competent auto repairman for this problem.
posted by buckeye277 at 11:43 A.M. EST on Tue Aug 15, 2006 #
Turned out to be the Ignition Switch.
$275
Thanks all for your input and suggestions.
posted by billy at 03:39 P.M. EST on Tue Aug 15, 2006 #
Yeah, that's what I've always hated about electrical problems-it can be virtually anywhere in your system. Who discovered it and fixed it for you, Billy?
posted by Darkseid at 08:57 P.M. EST on Tue Aug 15, 2006 #