sissy

I was driving my 90SE to work about a week ago when this buring smell started coming into the car, followed by poping noises. Next the windshield wipers started going on their own. I pulled the car over, shut it down, and called AAA.

The shop had the car for about a week and this is what was discovered after lots of testing and frustration according to mechanic. It seems the alternator surged and began putting forth too much energy. This caused several relays to burn out as well as the switch for the power windows plus the windshield wiper motor fried.

The mechanic only charged me for an hour of labor (being young and female helped, I guess.) He also told me that if I ever hear popping sounds like that again to get out of the car immediately as it could indicate that a fire is a probability.

I got to drive my dad's 89 GXE. It's uglier and noisier, but it accelerated better and plus it has new rotors and pads with a 4 wheel alignment. Now we both have to pass the CA smog test before the end of the month: rolleyes:

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

that sucks!
I speculate that you still have your 90, and your dad let you borrow his 89 during?
and is your car back on the road?

but i am glad to know ur okay, and there was no fire!

ustfdes

iTrader: (5)

wow, good thing it didn't burn up on you. and no one got hurt

i wish i could use the 'young and innocent, please help me' trick!....i guess it's because i have the wrong hardware in the wrong places.... ;x

anyways, good luck with all that...keep us posted.

sissy

I picked up my car yesterday and my dad drove his 89 to work this morning. My mom goes nuts because my low milage car (89K now, 78K at time of purchase in 2005) has gone through a new starter, two alternators, high pressure power steering hose, radiator and several tows since I bought it 2 years ago. It still needs struts and alignment.

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

don't think of the mileage, think of the age.
an (almost) 18 year old car is bound to need some maintenance.

sissy

That's why my mom hates older cars, the maintenace involved. She wants my dad to buy her a new car so he can take over her 97 Camry and ditch his 89 GXE but he's held out so far. For him our Maximas are cheaper to amintain than car payments and increased insurance premiums. Now if we could only find cheap parts cars here in the L.A. area and learn to fix our cars life would be a bit cheaper!

ustfdes

iTrader: (5)

but older cars that are paid for, even if they need to be maintained more than newer cars.....are still cheaper than buying a new car at $30k. even in the end.

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

You are lucky you are in a nice climate and your cars can last so long and look good if you take care of them. Many of us have to deal with rust, salt and cold weather, it beats a car up a lot more.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

Wow, and I thought my dimming clock was bad! The only electrical problem i ever had was a loose light socket, that when i tapped my finger on a light I thought was burnt out, reconnected but in doing so arced to the terminal and melted the contact into the other contact on the light (brake bulb, dual filament) and it sent 25A through a 15A fuse and I had to drive without brakelights for a few miles until I remembered that bulb acting funky, and removing it. Put in a new bulb and i was golden. But thankfully the alty works great.

And man I would kill to have a girlfriend that knew that much about her 3rd gen!!! All the girls I know are like "yeah car. uh. 4 wheels.. 2 pedals.. drive it..". I know a girl that's only driven an autotragic 6 times (including the driver's ed car) but she's a rare case. Too bad she hates me.

sissy

In all honesty I'd like a newer car, too but right now I can't afford it so my 90 is my car. My dad is the old car buff who offered to buy my 90 when I'm ready to sell it. For about five years his everyday car was a 65 Corvair convertible and before that he had a 67 Riviera and a 65 Impala. I think that stuff is ugly and he spent a lot of money on them. He misses them, but the rest of us don't. Sorry to go off topic a bit, but this is why when we have a car problem it reminds my mom of money flying out the door to fix yet another problem.

ustfdes

iTrader: (5)

but tell your mom to think of car payments around 400 a month....and how much cheaper the maintenance on an old car is than that!!!

BenStoked

iTrader: (7)

and like you said, insurance is cheaper, by far.

Alex_V

if I could put $400 a month into my maxima it would be an awesome car real quick. Koni/eibachs, 400HP, and a much nicer stereo and any worn part replaced.

As it is I don't have too much money into it, its mostly sweat equity.

Just ask john how to fix the wipers yourself. Though, You probably wouldn't have to pull the dash...

~Alex

gapboi210

Ha ha this reminds me...I got a cigarette lighter from wal mart. I just needed the lighter part, not the socket. I stuck the lighter part in and it started sparking everywhere. (it didn't exactly fit so i thought i'd make it fit) I was driving trying to grab it and it sparked for a good 3-4 secs then the fuse went.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

lucky