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Thank you for the quick reply- I had a feeling the starter was shot, but I wanted to get a second opinion to be sure. As far as the alternator, I’ve had an over-charging alternator kill my last car, so I will definitely get that tested before putting the car back on the road…although my brother mentioned they DID just change the battery a few months ago before he moved back here- I didn’t find out about that until after making the initial post
And…I wasn’t thinking when I said “maybe jack stands”- buying jack stands should’ve been an obvious necessity for getting under there to change the starter (or do the brakes later). I should’ve said “and maybe a cheap portable jack” since I dunno how well the included spare tire jack would do for just getting the jack stands under there. I had a couple pairs of stands and a decent (although old) floor jack a few yrs ago, but unfortunately couldn’t take them with us when it came time to move
Turns out the battery had leaked/”exploded”…not even a week after I bought it. I went to have it tested and they confirmed just by the smell it was dead
I picked up a cheap digital multimeter today, checked the battery terminals and found with the engine off, it was putting out ~12.9 – 13.2 volts. I tried to remove the surface charge, but that did little to help. With the engine on, it was peaking around 16v er so. Tested the alternator with a standalone tester, it passed without issue. Right now, the headlights/DRLs, turn signals and hazard lights don’t work, along with the slew of other problems. I’ve checked all the fuses and they looked ok, and aside from the battery I’m not entirely sure where to start looking w/ a multimeter…
I wiped off some of the mystery goo, was black like oil…the label was also slightly brown/black around the edge, where it leaked over. I dornt see why it would suddenly die after being replaced a week er two ago
**Edit: Just jumped it and took to a local auto parts store, they confirmed that the battery exploded and that the goo on top is acid….which would explain the rotten egg smell. On the way back, it started to die on me as I was working through an intersection- only to quickly rev back up. The windows also went up erratically, very fast compared to normal. I have a feeling this will lead me to a new alternator, I don’t know for sure yet though.
Quick update: I took the car to 2 local auto parts stores (one of which had a full shop and wanted to charge for extensive diagnosis- which we can’t afford to do yet) and they couldn’t find anything unusual with the battery, although they mentioned the alternator could be over-charging the battery and causing the whole system to freak out a bit. I would start poking around and checking what I can- namely any exposed/shorting wires (seeing as I have to replace the A/C expansion valve anyway) but we have since moved from a house with a big driveway to an apartment with a cramped, full lot :/
Well, considering we only have tools equivalent to “baby’s first toolbox” because of [insert long story here] that may not be so easy…but, there may be a metalworking shop nearby that can machine a couple of those for us. As far as finding the part, I found a “front lower rearward” bushing on RockAuto, but I have no clue if that’s interchangeable for the rear as well. I’ll check with the local dealer service dept and see what they say. Thanks for the idea though ^-^ I may be able to do something with that
*Edit: A quick google search later, and I was able to find the correct part elsewhere, so I guess now I’m just worried about getting the old bushing out. In the video, the guy used a sawzall to make a few relief cuts in the metal collar of the old bushing to get it out, and used lube, a 2″ (?) plumbing nipple, and a large socket to push the new one in. Sounds like it’d work without a hitch, but I want to get outside opinions before I get halfway though and realize I made a big mistake
Easy out snapped…I’m officially giving up -_- theres very little that I can do anymore….If I can get the funding, I’m gonna have it towed to the local stealership (because I don’t trust the local auto shop after they messed up on the mustang) and have them take care of it….I’ve lost my sanity trying to repair this hydra. I fix one issue, 2 more arise…
Easy out snapped…I’m officially giving up -_- theres very little that I can do anymore….If I can get the funding, I’m gonna have it towed to the local stealership (because I don’t trust the local auto shop after they messed up on the mustang) and have them take care of it….I’ve lost my sanity trying to repair this hydra. I fix one issue, 2 more arise…
After wasting time trying to get the old wheel cylinder off, I can’t get to one of the bolts holding it on, and I can’t get the brake line off, regardless of how much PB Blaster I spray on there…I don’t have a line wrench, so that’s hard enough as it is…I’m considering trying to use an “easy out” (I don’t remember what they’re called; drill bit that threads into a broken bolt and pulls it out) to get the old bleeder bolt out, hopefully without damaging the old cylinder, seeing as it’s as close as I’m going to get to replacing it…Well, another wasted day of “work” :/
After wasting time trying to get the old wheel cylinder off, I can’t get to one of the bolts holding it on, and I can’t get the brake line off, regardless of how much PB Blaster I spray on there…I don’t have a line wrench, so that’s hard enough as it is…I’m considering trying to use an “easy out” (I don’t remember what they’re called; drill bit that threads into a broken bolt and pulls it out) to get the old bleeder bolt out, hopefully without damaging the old cylinder, seeing as it’s as close as I’m going to get to replacing it…Well, another wasted day of “work” :/
I’ve taken Eric’s tip of “hit what it goes through”, I tapped on the ball joint stud (to not damage it too much) and tried a pickle fork…all useless :/
and to thing I almost bought a 2006 Elantra….ha, no. As much trouble as I’ve had, I still love my little Eclipse
I’ve taken Eric’s tip of “hit what it goes through”, I tapped on the ball joint stud (to not damage it too much) and tried a pickle fork…all useless :/
and to thing I almost bought a 2006 Elantra….ha, no. As much trouble as I’ve had, I still love my little Eclipse
Well, partially my fault for using my impact wrench on it (even with lowest torque setting) because they were both stuck…one came off with ease, the other snapped. Thankfully, wheel cylinders are only $15 here XD
The lower control arms, one came off easily but the ball joint wouldn’t budge, even with a pickle fork. The axle wouldn’t move where and how I needed it to, so the other control arm was inaccesible :/ why mitsubishi designed lower control arm studs to unbolt from the inside is beyond me…damn locally built imports.
Well, partially my fault for using my impact wrench on it (even with lowest torque setting) because they were both stuck…one came off with ease, the other snapped. Thankfully, wheel cylinders are only $15 here XD
The lower control arms, one came off easily but the ball joint wouldn’t budge, even with a pickle fork. The axle wouldn’t move where and how I needed it to, so the other control arm was inaccesible :/ why mitsubishi designed lower control arm studs to unbolt from the inside is beyond me…damn locally built imports.
Eric….if I had the money, I’d take your advice to dump this forsaken hunk of metal much sooner this week and save my sanity….Couldn’t get the steering knuckle off to get the wheel hub off, so I gave up on that for the moment. The E-brake is stuck (vaguely) and I need to bleed the lines…and the bleeder bolt snapped off on one of the rear drum brakes. This has led me to the point of almost throwing a tire iron through the window yesterday :/ this is what I get for buying a poorly maintained vehicle from a slimy used car dealership that lies through their teeth….again, live and learn
Eric….if I had the money, I’d take your advice to dump this forsaken hunk of metal much sooner this week and save my sanity….Couldn’t get the steering knuckle off to get the wheel hub off, so I gave up on that for the moment. The E-brake is stuck (vaguely) and I need to bleed the lines…and the bleeder bolt snapped off on one of the rear drum brakes. This has led me to the point of almost throwing a tire iron through the window yesterday :/ this is what I get for buying a poorly maintained vehicle from a slimy used car dealership that lies through their teeth….again, live and learn