Yesterday was my lucky day!

[vraiblonde]

I was on my way to Annapolis yesterday to have dinner with some old friends and I noticed my car was making this whirring kind of noise, like maybe a belt is going bad. Hmmmm...okay, car's going into the shop for routine on Thursday anyway.

About 5 miles from my destination, I start losing power - steering gets tough, dash lights come on, etc. Frick. But the car doesn't die, so I turn everything off - air, radio - and proceed to my destination, have dinner, come out a couple hours later, and the car starts right up. Yay!

Around Solomons it starts losing power again, and by the time I got home I had dull headlights and the windows were slooooow to roll up. That's the lucky part - that I made it home and didn't break down somewhere on Rt. 2 where there is nothing, because my phone battery was dead as well.

I suspect the alternator is bad because of the way it lost power like that while I was driving. Anyway, I'll need to rent a car for a couple of days while they fixee fixee - where's a good place? I usually get from Hewitt's but am considering Enterprise instead, just because they'll pick me up and facilitate the transition.

[withrespect (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

I was on my way to Annapolis yesterday to have dinner with some old friends and I noticed my car was making this whirring kind of noise, like maybe a belt is going bad. Hmmmm...okay, car's going into the shop for routine on Thursday anyway.

About 5 miles from my destination, I start losing power - steering gets tough, dash lights come on, etc. Frick. But the car doesn't die, so I turn everything off - air, radio - and proceed to my destination, have dinner, come out a couple hours later, and the car starts right up. Yay!

Around Solomons it starts losing power again, and by the time I got home I had dull headlights and the windows were slooooow to roll up. That's the lucky part - that I made it home and didn't break down somewhere on Rt. 2 where there is nothing, because my phone battery was dead as well.

I suspect the alternator is bad because of the way it lost power like that while I was driving. Anyway, I'll need to rent a car for a couple of days while they fixee fixee - where's a good place? I usually get from Hewitt's but am considering Enterprise instead, just because they'll pick me up and facilitate the transition.

Serpentine belt This happened to me a few years ago.

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

I was on my way to Annapolis yesterday to have dinner with some old friends and I noticed my car was making this whirring kind of noise, like maybe a belt is going bad. Hmmmm...okay, car's going into the shop for routine on Thursday anyway.

About 5 miles from my destination, I start losing power - steering gets tough, dash lights come on, etc. Frick. But the car doesn't die, so I turn everything off - air, radio - and proceed to my destination, have dinner, come out a couple hours later, and the car starts right up. Yay!

Around Solomons it starts losing power again, and by the time I got home I had dull headlights and the windows were slooooow to roll up. That's the lucky part - that I made it home and didn't break down somewhere on Rt. 2 where there is nothing, because my phone battery was dead as well.

I suspect the alternator is bad because of the way it lost power like that while I was driving. Anyway, I'll need to rent a car for a couple of days while they fixee fixee - where's a good place? I usually get from Hewitt's but am considering Enterprise instead, just because they'll pick me up and facilitate the transition.

You might want to start with small stuff; belt, proper belt tension, voltage regulator.....those things are the usual culprits. Don't rush off and get a new/refurb alternator just yet.

[xobxdoc]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

I was on my way to Annapolis yesterday to have dinner with some old friends and I noticed my car was making this whirring kind of noise, like maybe a belt is going bad. Hmmmm...okay, car's going into the shop for routine on Thursday anyway.

About 5 miles from my destination, I start losing power - steering gets tough, dash lights come on, etc. Frick. But the car doesn't die, so I turn everything off - air, radio - and proceed to my destination, have dinner, come out a couple hours later, and the car starts right up. Yay!

Around Solomons it starts losing power again, and by the time I got home I had dull headlights and the windows were slooooow to roll up. That's the lucky part - that I made it home and didn't break down somewhere on Rt. 2 where there is nothing, because my phone battery was dead as well.

I suspect the alternator is bad because of the way it lost power like that while I was driving. Anyway, I'll need to rent a car for a couple of days while they fixee fixee - where's a good place? I usually get from Hewitt's but am considering Enterprise instead, just because they'll pick me up and facilitate the transition.

Never had a problem with Enterprise. Just order your car online for a cheaper price

[aps45819]

You want a ride to Hewitts?

[ewashkow]

Just something to take into consideration with Enterprise-they may pick you up but it is on their terms. Translation: when they can afford to have someone get away from the office to come get you. This typically happens at either the beginning or end of a shift. And of course, they charge for the service. At least this has been my experience.

[withrespect (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ewashkow

Just something to take into consideration with Enterprise-they may pick you up but it is on their terms. Translation: when they can afford to have someone get away from the office to come get you. This typically happens at either the beginning or end of a shift. And of course, they charge for the service. At least this has been my experience.

We had to get a rental when our car was in the shop. I think it depends on your insurance because they covered all costs. I didnt have to pay a dime for my rental car and they came to my house to pick me up.

BUT... they gave me a Ford Focus

[CrystalClear]

Originally Posted by withrespect

We had to get a rental when our car was in the shop. I think it depends on your insurance because they covered all costs. I didnt have to pay a dime for my rental car and they came to my house to pick me up.

BUT... they gave me a Ford Focus

When an 8 point buck hit ME..I had a 4 cyl PT Cruiser for 2.5 months.

[withrespect (Premo)]

Originally Posted by CrystalClear

When an 8 point buck hit ME..I had a 4 cyl PT Cruiser for 2.5 months.

yeah... ours was a deer too. but it only took 10 days for us to get our car back.

[Chris0nllyn]

Originally Posted by withrespect

Serpentine belt This happened to me a few years ago.

Yep. Tell tale sign is your steering getting tough, and alternator not charging anymore.

On a side note. My parents had the battery light come on in their car in NC. They pull over to the rest stop, and wait a bit. They end up leaving anyway because the light went out when they started the car back up.

They get home, unpack, unwind....the next day the car wouldn't start.

They drove from NC to here all on battery power alone.