carHelp
 

I was wondering if any ledgies are mechanically inclined.
I have a real crappy 1997 Ford Taurus. I have spent 2 thousand on repairs since I bought the car a year ago. Here is the latest problem.
Was leaving the store and when I started my car the power steering went, it goes on and off. Get to the post office the car won't start right away. As I'm driving the computer is making these clicking sound and the seat belt light flashes of and on at the same time the steering is going on and off. Now the steering will be fine for a bit and the seat belt light still goes of and on from time to time. The check engine light is on, but was on before because I think the oxygen sensor is acting up again, that is another story.But the computer is not making that sound anymore. Took it to the garage and they can't find anything wrong. I have run out of money, and still need to drive my self to work and drive the kids around.
Any suggestions so I know where to start?

Fords are notorious...
 

for the oxygen sensor errors, which can cause monoxide buildup with can cause a car to lose horsepower (Which can leave to MAJOR engine damage).

But reading that you stated your seat-belt safety light seems to flicker and your power steering has failed makes me believe you have a major problem with the computer brain, or at the least a minor coupling short (bka a loose wire to the housing of the computer brain)

I suggest taking the car to a certified Ford dealership and have the techs due a diagnostic scan to check if indeed the computer is failing. They will be able to hook a analysis machine to the port to check how the brain responds.

Also, be careful, some mechanics will take advantage of women to make extra $$$ due to their lack of knowledge with an automobile, so having a male companion tag along can help avoid this problem.

Good luck...

Brian "My Dad was a professional car mechanic...and electronic repairman" j.

Thanks, the last garage told me the rack and pinion had to be replaced.

My wife once took our ol' beloved battlehorse 1996 Nissan Sentra (bka "The Wildlife Eradicator") to the dealership and they TRIED to have her pay $120 to fix a minor transmission line leak.

She brought the car home, I put it up on jack-stands, climbed under it with only a phillips head screwdriver and fixed THAT leak in less than 30 seconds (Tighten the screw on the hose clamp).

Trust me, mechanics love to try to squeeze that extra dollar from women who don't know a thing about automobiles.

Took the car to another garage this morning. Said it would cost up to $200 just to find what the problem is. That is not even fixing the problem.
It was running fine this morning, then all of a sudden the power steering went then the seat belt light flashed off and on. Now it is fine again.

Took the car of the road yesterday. This car has bled me dry.
I think you are right it is a computer problem. Paying a loan on a car you can't drive is no fun. So I'm driving my old 89 crown vic for the time being. Which is not cheap on gas.
Thanks for your help.

A dealer once had my car for only 6 hours for repairs and charged me for 12 hrs of labor. I told my Dad and he marched down there and tore them a new one. They bill according to the book's time on things but seriously, if I give you my car late morning and take it home early evening, that just ISN'T 12 HOURS! They would only refund me for 3 or 4, I forget exactly how many.

Dad also made them put 2 more new tires on the car when I first bought it. They said they were fine and I didn't need them, he said I'll take it to the registry and they'll put a failed sticker right on it. They gave me the tires. I wish I could be more like that, I am not a good negotiator.

My advice on that Ford would be to trade it in for a Toyota.

I'm from a very...
 

long line of auto-mechanics, and I have a conscience - so I would never take advantage of a person when in regards to auto repairs...Most mechanics are $$$ driven and if given a chance they will F.O. (f**k over) anyone they can out of sheer greed, especially if one knows nothing of the workings of an automobile...

Mechanics TRIED F.O.ing my Mom after Dad passed, but Mom was also very knowledgeable and she put those lame f**ks in their places. (Hell, I saw Mom remove the temperture control mechanism from a natural gas dryer by reading the electronic diagrams - and she turned off the gas meter herself without need of having make a call and wait for a person to do it for her)

As for Ford's, I suggest never owning one...PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe me I would love to trade my Ford in. This past summer I had tried to. But the dealerships would not give more than one thousand for the car. At that time I still had 4 thousand left on the loan.
This is after I have spent near 2 thousand on repairs.
I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place now.
Can't afford to repair it again, can't afford the loan. Can't even sell it to pay for the loan with all that is wrong with it.
Also a few months ago my ex stopped paying me child support. So I can't seem to find a way out of this mess.
Thanks for letting me rant.

You can't trade it in for something where your monthly payment would be the same even though you're going to lose money? It really sucks you're in this place. It would be nice if there was a bailout for consumers when this kind of bullsh*t happens!

Whatever you do, don't put another dime into that car.

FYI...if you live in a town with a community college, check to see if they have an AUTO program. Often, they will check your car for free as well work on your auto for parts $$ only. Naturally, there is the slight risk of student working on your automobile, but the work is done during class and supervised, and they are definitely less inclined to rip you off. I have done this a number of times for large repairs and have saved big $$$ on labor.

Thanks for all the advice. I have no collage in my town. I live in a very small town in BC. And as far as a loan goes, I have looked into that.
I'm just plain stuck. If my ex did not become a drug addict and stop paying child support then I could just pay off the rest of the loan and dump the car. I have lost sleep over this. I just need someone to give me a break as a single mom. Even my local garage and the auto dealer where I bought the car won't show mercy. I guess that is what the world has come to. Greed and no kindness to help others in need.
Sorry for my rant.