I found out today that I am on the schedule at work this week, had no clue until my boss texted me asking me if I’m coming in. Halfway there the engine got all herky jerky and the engine light started flashing. I know what it means, misfires, but I didn’t feel safe continuing, so I turned around and came home. I had to call off. I texted my brother-in-law, he’s a mechanic, and he said it could just need a tune up, or it could need a new coil. He didn’t consider it to be anything big, but I’m worried. I hope it’s a cheap fix, I can’t afford much of a repair with trying to save for moving expenses. I’m going to try driving to my nurse appt in the morning and see what happens, though I’m staying off the expressways. I may take it to the mechanic afterward, see what they say.
I’m just frustrated and worried at the moment, just needed to vent. I realize this post won’t be interesting to anyone, unless we happen to have someone on here who is knowledgeable about cars.
I don’t think they’ll be too mad. It’s been at least a couple months since I last called off, not like when I called off a lot when I was depressed and filled with overwhelming anxiety.
I think you need to get the car fixed tomorrow morning (or sooner) because you don’t want to keep calling off from your work. Put the cost of the repair on a credit card if you have to. Keeping your job is priority #1.
Yeah, my credit cards are nearly maxed out, unfortunately; my debit card has funds, but I was planning on using those funds for my move. I’ll see what happens when I drive to my appointment tomorrow; I’ll probably get it looked at after my appointment regardless of what happens. I don’t work tomorrow, but I could take a taxi to work Thursday if I have to.
We have a bus system here, but I’ve never learned how to use it. The busses don’t run to my job, anyway. Rental cars are a bit more expensive here, though not terribly expensive. A cab ride wouldn’t be too expensive, as it is only about 6 or 7 miles away. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
I use public transport almost always and i just make sure to find the right connections on an app on my phone. I have never had any problems and it is max 6 bucks to go and come back together.
It is strange not to have public transport
Good luck
If the check engine light is on you can read the code and figure out exactly what’s wrong with it. I have a code reader in my workshop but if you don’t have one you can take it to any car parts store and they will read it for free.
The check engine light only comes on for things related to emissions so it shouldn’t be anything major. Could be a plug. Possibly a coil pack. All of those are easy to change.
Yeah, it didn’t stay on, though. It had stopped flashing by the time I made it home, maybe because I was at a lower speed (I was going 50 mph when it started flashing), I don’t know. If the light is off I don’t know if a scan will show anything, that’s a concern I have. I once tried to get a scan at an AutoZone for the same problem, and the guy said a scan wouldn’t show anything because the light was no longer flashing.
I’d be terrified the entire ride, concerned about what the driver might be about to do to me, playing out every scenario in my head. It’s worth the money to me to pay for an actual taxi.
Strange!!!