Pray for our van.

Well, that was a weird title! Please pray for us about our mini-van. Our van, which is our only vehicle, is a 1998 Grand Caravan. We got it used, and have nursed it through many troubles -most of which we have done ourselves, who knew we'd learn how to replace an alternator, or a power window motor...Anyway, it has SO many things that need doing we just don't have the money for any of them even if we buy the part and change it ourselves. Some of the things we can't do without a motor lift. Today we drove it to the post office, but then when my husband went to start it to go get the kids from their ½ day of school, it wouldn't start. The battery isn't dead, and we can't figure out what's wrong. We can't afford to have anyone look at it to determine what is wrong, but we can't go without our only vehicle. Right now, he has my parent's van, but we can't borrow it indefinitely.



Please pray for us.

Praying for you Rachel - I hope it's something that is easily fixed

Me too.

Does it try to turn over? Does it make a clicking sound?

It tries, but it's not turning over. My husband is going to disconnect the battery and then reconnect it and see what happens, tomorrow since he's still at work.

Not a mechanic myself, but it sounds like the ALTERNATOR to me, my hubby is a motor mechanic, retired now. BOL

We replaced the alternator a couple years ago. It's similar to when the alternator died but the radio and instrument panel still light up. With the dead alternator, we didn't have any of that.

Could be all he needs to do is clean the battery terminals. Over time they get gunky and lose contact.

We'll see what we can do. I did notice the positive terminal looked a little corroded.

Praying for you Rachel too.

Having a vehicle breakdown always makes me feel so helpless!

Hope it's an easy fix

Thank-you, Beth Anne, me too!

You have my prayers. I understand totally I need a new transmission.

Thank-you, Debbie. Our old van needs so many things, a transmission is one, fuel line is another, I could go on an on!

Well, still no luck. We tried a few different things and it still doesn't start. My husband's boss is being a real jerk about it all too, because my parents needed to have their van back so my husband had to be a little late to work since he had to help my parents get their car's battery charged enough so they could take it to get a new battery. Tomorrow, my husband will take their car and bring them back their van. Hopefully Saturday we can fuss with the van and try to get it working again.

Change the spark plugs?

I'm 99.99% positive, right from the start of it acting up, that it is the spark plugs. We knew we've been needing to replace them, and my husband has attempted. However, the back row is next to impossible to access. We already know how our weekend is going to go, we have to disconnect the alternator and a few other things to access the back row of plugs so we can replace them. I'm NOT looking forward to that, because I know he'll want my help and I HATE the cold.

Get a brother in law to help instead!

The only brother-in-law that lives in Michigan probably will be sleeping when we're awake since Becky's hubby works weird shifts at Walmart.

brother? older nephew?

Karen wrote:

Get a brother in law to help instead!

Orange_Grove_Nursery wrote:

The only brother-in-law that lives in Michigan probably will be sleeping when we're awake since Becky's hubby works weird shifts at Walmart.

Yep, probably!

Karen wrote:

brother? older nephew?

Brother lives about 40 minutes away and only nephew in state is only 9. And Dad is sick.

Rachel - I'm sorry to hear how your weekend is going to be spent. Make sure you have plenty of hot chocolate waiting when you get back in!

Blossoms_and_Blessings wrote:

Brother lives about 40 minutes away and only nephew in state is only 9. And Dad is sick.

What she said!

Beth Anne wrote:

Rachel - I'm sorry to hear how your weekend is going to be spent. Make sure you have plenty of hot chocolate waiting when you get back in!

Thank-you, Beth Anne!

will pray

Orange_Grove_Nursery wrote:

your

Well, nothing has been successful with our van, and there were so many things wrong with it, it's not really worth it for the age and mileage. So, my father-in-law graciously offered to buy a better van for us as long as it wasn't over $5,000. So, today we went to a dealer here in town to look at a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. We liked it, they lowered the price, and Dad bought it for us!!!

A BIG to my FIL!!!

That's fantastic Rachel

what a generous FIL, that's fantastic!!

Yay!

It's been a much better day than the last week has been. I'm so excited that we have our problem resolved and we might even have a buyer for our old one!

Rachel - I don't know how the public transportation is where you live is, but it is pretty much non-existent here. In fact, the nearest bus stop from my house is about 30 miles away in Phoenix! If I don't have a car, I have to stay home or drive my friends crazy for rides. I'm sure you are feeling like a load is lifted off your shoulders now that you have a running vehicle. And you might have a buyer for your van?

Orange_Grove_Nursery wrote:

Well, nothing has been successful with our van, and there were so many things wrong with it, it's not really worth it for the age and mileage. So, my father-in-law graciously offered to buy a better van for us as long as it wasn't over $5,000. So, today we went to a dealer here in town to look at a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. We liked it, they lowered the price, and Dad bought it for us!!!

A BIG to my FIL!!!

such a generous person, you are blessed to have him as family.

Yes, I am super glad for his generosity. Of course, he knows we'll take care of him when it's our turn. Of course, that doesn't compare to what my parents did so we could buy the house we live in right now. Let's just say they are "Mr. and Mrs. Mortgage Company". I am poor, but I am RICH beyond measure!

Yes you are honey!
And, what's even better is that you know it!
I bet it is the starter in the old van. But, you guys do not have the money to literally build a new van from the old one piece by piece! You are very blessed to have a fatherin law who had the money to be able to help and then DID IT!

I have lived like this most of my life. I don't regret or begrudge a thing because I have the kids and my husband and love all around, just as you do. THAT is the important part of life that cannot be purchased.

Money is nice, but love is MUCH BETTER! BOTH would be too much to comprehend!! LOL

Now, if we could all afford to buy gas for our cars we would have few problems!

love
joy
I have a family of do it yourselfers. Our girls have always been able to fix anything fixable in a car as well as cook a gourmet meal and the boys vice versa. My oldest is even a certified mechanic. We STILL have car issues! LOL