shermanator 4 #1 February 12, 2008 DMV is telling me I need a check only smog check $60 registration $70 .. oil change $25 air filter $12.00 CHecking sparks to see their condition.. doh! time to change. hmmm, too expensive to have a shop change them, so I decide I am going to do them myself to save money. Unfortunately for me, I have a '98 ford windstar, and to get to three of the 6 sparks, I have to go from underneith the van. hmph! whatever, I'll do it.. Plugs $24 take car to the self wash, to give the engine a lil squirt to clean it. pop hood, give a lil squirt, and enging starts shaking violently. ohh, that is not good... look, and notice some arcing from the spark cables. ARGE!!! Now I have to buy new cables, which are going to be a major poin in the butt to install, considering the location. grrrr. Now I may just return the sparks I bought, *haven't installed them yet* and pay the inflated rediculous amount that a shop will charge, on a credit card* oh, the life of being unemployed sucks!!! anyone want to hire me? I'll relocate! oh yeah, and to top it off, now the Engine light came on, so it won't pass smog until i get that off.. hmm, I'm sure i can just reset it, but . grrrrrrr. CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #2 February 12, 2008 I don't mean this to demean you, but if you're in SoCal, there are about 5000+ job openings within 50 miles of you in Anaheim. From Trader Joe's to Sign-O-Rama... Why, oh why, aren't you blasting out 50 resumes a day? ...get a burger joint job. Looking for a job when you have one is a far better place to be. Almost forget to address your vent: Bummer about the car. I had a Ford once that also had freaky electrical episodes from time-to-time. The money you spend at a dealer/service place will ultimately be worth it. If the electrical starts getting funky, you have some work covered by warranty, etc.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #3 February 12, 2008 QuoteI Why, oh why, aren't you blasting out 50 resumes a day? etc. and why do you assume that I am not doing just that? It does not help that EVERYWHERE wants at least 2+years of experience. . yes, there may be tons of job openings, believe me, I have looked at all of them, sent resumes to most of them, and have heard back from a minimal amount of them, to no avail. I've called several, emailed, faxed. Nothing seems to be working, short of joining the day workers standing out in front of Home Depot.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #4 February 13, 2008 Quote [and why do you assume that I am not doing just that? It does not help that EVERYWHERE wants at least 2+years of experience. . yes, there may be tons of job openings, believe me, I have looked at all of them, sent resumes to most of them, and have heard back from a minimal amount of them, to no avail. I've called several, emailed, faxed. Nothing seems to be working, short of joining the day workers standing out in front of Home Depot. I didn't assume anything. I was just asking...not very softly I'll admit, apologies. I've been where you are, in the words of Dave Ramsey...live like no one else, so that later you may live like no one else. Expect a response rate of 1/20, or worse. Remember, their requirements are a wish list as well, and never address those directly until you're in the chair, in person. Never give up. Those clowns don't know what they're missing, and if they don't call you back...well, then you didn't want to work for them anyway. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 February 13, 2008 ...short of joining the day workers standing out in front of Home Depot. Quote I always wanted to put "Off-Ramp Produce Sales" on a resume just to see if THAT works? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #6 February 13, 2008 Sorry about the job problemos and the vehicle. btw, did you squirt water on a hot engine? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #7 February 13, 2008 walk the path and knock on doors, present yourself and state your case. Walk into factories, construction site, big stores.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #8 February 13, 2008 QuoteSorry about the job problemos and the vehicle. btw, did you squirt water on a hot engine? no, it was warm, but not hot/running temp.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonRose 0 #9 February 13, 2008 Quote Quote Sorry about the job problemos and the vehicle. btw, did you squirt water on a hot engine? no, it was warm, but not hot/running temp. If you "squirt" the distributor it will make your car run funny. Some day I will have the best staff in the world!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #10 February 13, 2008 oh yeah, and to top it off, now the Engine light came on, so it won't pass smog until i get that off.. hmm, I'm sure i can just reset it, but . grrrrrrr. ____________________________ Hey Shermie, My other car finally passed smog. Wanna buy it? Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #11 February 13, 2008 I think I'll pass. .. the funny thing is, I'm sure it will pass smog, once i get the check engine light off.. but it still needs maintenance. when I got the van, I was told it had the 100000 mile maintenance done, but the more i got to know the car, i realized that it really didnt. oh well, such is life.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #12 February 13, 2008 Quote oh yeah, and to top it off, now the Engine light came on, so it won't pass smog until i get that off.. hmm, I'm sure i can just reset it, but . grrrrrrr. ____________________________ Hey Shermie, My other car finally passed smog. Wanna buy it? What? Why would he get rid of the chick magnet 'soccer mom mobile' ?? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #13 February 13, 2008 Quote Quote oh yeah, and to top it off, now the Engine light came on, so it won't pass smog until i get that off.. hmm, I'm sure i can just reset it, but . grrrrrrr. ____________________________ Hey Shermie, My other car finally passed smog. Wanna buy it? What? Why would he get rid of the chick magnet 'soccer mom mobile' ?? Well, since he's about to be married and become a daddy, perhaps he should keep it. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #14 February 13, 2008 Quote I think I'll pass. .. the funny thing is, I'm sure it will pass smog, once i get the check engine light off.. but it still needs maintenance. when I got the van, I was told it had the 100000 mile maintenance done, but the more i got to know the car, i realized that it really didnt. oh well, such is life. You need to put the back seats back in too. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #15 February 13, 2008 QuoteYou need to put the back seats back in too What do you wanna do in the back seat? ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #16 February 13, 2008 Quote Quote You need to put the back seats back in too What do you wanna do in the back seat? Nothing, that's why the seats were taken out. It's time to clean that van up and get ready for a baby seat. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #17 February 14, 2008 woohoo. got the sparks and cables out of the way today. and wow, them cables were in BAD shape. *don't blame me, I only had the van for a year* Unfortunately, now I gots to get my tranni checked too. stuck computer on and got code P1744 "Manufacturer control transmission" bummer. other than that, need some brake fluid, maybe some tranni fluid, and fuel filter will have to wait. Ohhh, I love 'free' cars from relatives CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #18 February 14, 2008 QuoteUnfortunately, now I gots to get my tranni checked too. Is she...errr, he going to be ok? Whats wrong with your tranny? A burning sensation?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #19 February 14, 2008 I don't know, i just read the code from the computer today. I think the code is for it slipping. . only thing i have noticed from it is when stuck on freeway traffic, a little jolt from 1st to 2nd. Usually, when i drive home from elsinore, the check engine light comes on, then turns off couple days later. I'm assuming that is the reason ifor it, i never checked the computer before. .. I'm gonna have to get to aamco to have them check it out. Hopefully it is nothing too bad.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #20 February 14, 2008 So your tranny is having problems with number 1 to number 2? Sounds like a professional needs to help your tranny out. Or atleast someone experienced with the problems that trannies tend to experience as they get older. Has your tranny ever had another drive shaft installed or has it only had one since its been built?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #21 February 14, 2008 Quote Quote Unfortunately, now I gots to get my tranni checked too. Is she...errr, he going to be ok? Whats wrong with your tranny? A burning sensation? he dont get itYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #22 February 14, 2008 I'm assuming it is the original. I don't really have any maintenance records for the van. It's got 120,000 on it, so, it is about time for things to start falling apart. From the looks of the engine when I got it, i hasn't had the best care. I really don't know much about cars, but I'm trying to learn a bit as I go. Have one of them books that is a how to, and that's helped me some, but there is so much that that can't teach.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #23 February 14, 2008 QuoteHave one of them books that is a how to, and that's helped me some, but there is so much that that can't teach. I've found that the best experts on trannies aren't in shops or in books, but out there on the streets. They'll help you with an old school class that you can't find in a truely professional setting. Just besure to protect yourself from scams and other problems when dealing with a tranny expert outside of a well regarded shop.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #24 February 14, 2008 Quote Quote Have one of them books that is a how to, and that's helped me some, but there is so much that that can't teach. I've found that the best experts on trannies aren't in shops or in books, but out there on the streets. They'll help you with an old school class that you can't find in a truely professional setting. Just besure to protect yourself from scams and other problems when dealing with a tranny expert outside of a well regarded shop. You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #25 February 14, 2008 squeak.. you have a dirty mind! hahahahaha. CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
