tugboat

This is tugboat :)

Here's me talkling about him before I knew some of his issues:

Jan 07

Ana Gouveia 
Hi Jess,  How is it going? It's been a while I know. I'm looking into buying a vehicle. Figured you are one of the best people I could reach for that. What do you think of a 2007 Jeep Liberty at 244k situated in Lawrence for $900? Apparently it's been hacked and everybody is telling me not to do it, but... I like the photos...

Hi Ana, I'm doing well, how have you been? I'd run from that jeep, any vehicle with that much mileage is going to have a lot of expensive repairs needed soon. Unless you just want to drive it until it breaks and then get something else, in that case have fun!

He said I should have fun... okay.

I got it.

I do dat.

Hmm... that's hard to say without knowing the condition, I'd check for anything obvious, tire tread, leaks from the engine, smoke from tailpipe, etc. Also make sure it's been inspected recently, that tends to be where expensive emissions things come up

JAN 8th


  • Ana Gouveia 
    I did it. Bought it and the engine light is on, and it will need fixing. I'm hoping I can find people that may be interested in helping/teaching about cars. I suggested this to another friend, but you may be able to help even more with what I know you know!
  • I pretty much should get it fixed before monday, because I'm hoping to start babysitting. It needs cleaning, some minor mechanical fixes. I dont know where to take it yet, so looking for suggestions


Jesse Hamilton 
I've had good experiences with SWAT automotive near uml, if you just want to know why the check engine light is on pretty much any auto parts store will let you use a scanner for free, you can look up the error codes on the internet. Good luck!

SUNDAY

  • Ana Gouveia 
    Thanks
  • So what could cause a battery to drain in a period of 24-48 hours?
  • How could I check that? A voltímetro through the system?
  • What’s an alternator?
  • Like is this idea logical?
  • The other day the guy came to jump start. The car had power to turn on (panel lights and other components) but wouldn’t start unless he plugged the cables on a new battery.
  • The new battery seemed to give it enough power to start all together, and when he plugged the chords on the cars battery (2019) and after a while I was able to move.
  • Today it died again.
  • The guy was able to start it with just the 12 V box and I left it running for a few minutes but soon after I drove and it died again.
  • Was it not enough power to start the engine to actually load the battery enough so it could work?

  • Basically the electrical system works as follows 1. Battery stores electricity 2. Alternator produces electricity, it's run off the engine so it charges the battery as you drive I'd say one of two things is happening with your car. One possibility is that the alternator is not producing enough current to charge the battery greater than what you're using while driving. The second is that the battery is discharging somehow, this is usually a crack in the wire insulation or something. Were you driving it between the new battery and when it wouldn't start?
  • It could also be a combo of the two issues, that's pretty common esp on older cars
more info:

TUESDAY

Ana Gouveia 
alright this is where this gets interesting Jess... The steering wheel column has been removed and the wiring has been hacked. To turn the car on I have to manually rotate a bolt on a lever type of thingy, that when torqued gives the system propulsion. Like turning the stove, it takes a little bit until the noise says the car is working. The car start with that but only runs when the key is inserted in the ignition and turned as well.

  • The last 2x the battery died in the 48 hour period. And today, it didn't completely die, because car locks are still working, as well as inserting the key is turning the panel lights on.
  • I turn my knob and it does go on, but its like not enough, or something with the air is escaping.
  • And it doesn't start.
Ana Gouveia 
This time I made sure to turn evry light on the car on, perhaps why it still has some battery. But something is still draining.

  • Ana Gouveia 
    Interestingly enough already, as the system restarts with a new battery, only the tire pressure light goes on initially. After a couple of hours the engine light started to go on.
  • So this scanner... any store? What kind of results does it give me? Are they any different than what the regular inspection is supposed to do to the car?
  • Am thinking of trying to turn on the lever, have the key inserted and see if it brings the battery back on?
  • The car has a big gas compartment, so likely big engine, could it be that not just something is escaping, it also needs sometime for these compartments to warm up and run?

AND AS EXPECTED,
It drained again.
Right on the 48 hour period.

The difference this time though, was the fact that it didn't completely die. The electronics were still lighting up. The engine turned on. It didn't roar, it didn't start, it didn't run.

A few hours later, by the time AAA arrived, it was completely dead.

These last few times though, just the box with 12 V seems to be working on starting it up. 

Today, less than 12 hours ever since it has been awaken, I'd started it up. I didn't go anywhere but it started and worked in place. 

I tried it again, and it still works. Will drive to work in a bit.
Found a neighbor's contact for a Dr.
Maybe soon TugBoat will have someone else helping out his fixing up.

You've got any thoughts to share on this convo?
Lmk ;P


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