I need help getting my car running after fuse box, lights and other parts stolen

Outside of selling it, this is my last update. It's been a long day. All is done except the alternator. It appears when trying to start the car while it was locked up, somehow, either when loosening the belt or in just repeated attempts to start with it on, the longest bolt won't go out the threads and may be bent. So we can't get the bad alt out. Radiator and lights are all done and rewired and it almost looks as if it was never touched by a thief. BUt we can't get past this point yet and will try tomorrow.

He had it up on a jack, maybe he can try with it down, but it's a low car.

No obligations and if you don't respond I understand. This has been a long journey. But if you have suggestions on getting a difficult and possibly bent bolt (bent maybe inside where it's threaded? ) We need to find a way to get it out.

Tomorrow we'll try again.

PS it sounds wonderful, like its old self except when I release the clutch in neutral. THen it grinds. I was told it was the flywheel which is stuck to the clutch and I will drive it and see if it unsticks. But it's unwise to do any driving without an alternator.

My thanks to you. I will spread the word about your website. You've been amazing. I put in that I wanted to donate but it did not bring me to a page to do so. Give me your address and I will send a check or I can maybe call in a cred cd and donate on the phone. You all deserve it.

Lynne

The mysterious Donation Page:
Okay, I give up and admit to getting a low grade for good obsrevation. I answered yes for donation and put in a dollar amount before we began this journey. Right after I said yes I expect it to take me to the page for donating. It didn't. So I assumed when we got started it would show at the end.

You said click the question upgrade link. Where exactly is that? I can't find it. Boy I feel silly. It's probably REAL obvious. Is it on the right panel, left side?

Is it at the bottom where it says "link to us"? That seems like a link for a facebook page or website.
Hmmm. Got a PO Box for me to send a check to? It's old fashioned but right now I'm feeling all this technology is getting old ftoo.

Lynne

Okay, this is my post so I can see it.

KHL & Razmataz,
Got it done. Thanks for your time and help. I hope you continue doing what you do so well. You've been very patient (at least online... No one really knows what you say offline... Ha!)

The best to you.

PS the car's almost done, Josh will come over tonight and I'm sure we'll get the alternator finally in.I was advised to try for 1500 obo. That's much better price to post with and I spent under $200 for parts plus the payment for labor.

Lynne

Hey guys, This is me offering some info to all three of you since you've all helped me. Though you may already know about this please indulge me. Medic's email with the promo stuff inspired me to share a website you all probably knows about but its for anyone else that doesn't. So maybe you can let them know too.

Medic, to be honest, I'm not sure what the connection was with my car's regarding your neighbor's alternator cost, but I'm guessing from the one image I could see it was about how to save money using a promo? Your alternator was around $69. So maybe it cost that much because it was new and not a rebuilt?

It made me think of the following website someone from CL tuned me into.
Car-part. Com.

I'm sure there's others out there. This one is Nationwide. Plug in (no pun intended) your state, zip, vehicle's details and THE PART you are seeking and presto! You get every local salvage and parts store that has that par, rebuilt or used, for your car iIN STOCK. It tells the cost, how to contact them, ect. So you get the best bargain and you save money and time. These places use this website to list their parts.

What I paid for parts and why it was so low (prices vary from state to state of course).
Alternator, rebuilt with warranty = $25

Radiator at= $54-Radiator has no leaks, looks brand new, its an A part and has a warranty.
Cooling fans (mine has two, one's for the AC)= $20 tested to work and has warranty
Does not include misc costs for hoses (new) clamps, ect. Under $25

The markers and lamps, wiring bulbs, relays all test and with warrenty, ect was under $35.

Total in parts was in the range of $135 plus taxes and other misc I failed to include (fuses, dash fuse box cover, ect)). I

could've done worse. It's all back and now its running smooth and quiet.

T was an eye opener for me, I went to the salvage yard I knew about but never realized there were so many other choices locally which had better prices. It saved me time, money and frustration. I got the bulk of my parts in one afternoon. It felt great!

Aside for (KHL the clutch noise iwhile n neutral stopped in about 10 minutes of running the car). And the engine sounds as quiet as I've ever had it. The mechanic commented on how great the engine sounds.

There were many others who helped me. The guy who contacted me from CL who told me about the website also encouraged me to repair the car before selling it. My neighbor who did the mechanical work and you ALL including the humorous and barely comprehensible Medic. (Just kidding) = D

Lynne

PS your in my bookmarks. I don't want to cause you stress, but you may be hearing back from me again down the road.

If you rebuild and engine aren't you doing the same thing? Finding good parts and replacing old ones in an engine? The alternator was rebuilt at a salvage yard so who would have good parts to select from but them. And it's warranted. If it goes bad I can return it and I'll buy a new one in it's place.

Anyway, it's only $25, it's worth it because it's got me on the road and works fine so far. Even if it lasts a short time. I'm happy. No worries.

Have you ever sold a car, I mean one you owned? I was wondering, when they come to test drive it do you have them leave their keys with you? Seems someone asked me for mine once.
People have been telling me horror stories regarding attempts to steal their Honda A guy told me on the phone from CL that a friend's car was stolen from his sales lot that he tried to sell. He said he foolishly wrote the CL ad like a used car salesman would..."Come see this car, new wheels, ect.... At this address" with pictures. You don't do that on CL. So 3 am a car pulled up, took the car, stold the wheels off it and dropped the car on the ground damaging it and and left it abandoned. Though the license plate of the car they came in on is on cameras as is the act itself, and though they drove by the camera with smiles on there faces, the cops can do nothing about it he says. I bet it's because the car they came with was also stolen.
And today I was told by my coworker she had a civic and while driving it someone started to chase her. She sped through an area at 70 mph and the other car followed suit. A cop pulled her over and asked her if she felt chased. She did and wondered why. Before he pursued them he said they were not after her but her car and advised her to head straight home and don't stop. She had a 96 Honda Civic.
Maybe its too dangerous for me to keep this car...
Anyway, I'm jaded since the car was raided (rhyme unplanned). And now I'm nervous about how to protect myself from strangers who come with friends to take it for a test drive.

I know, you advise on mechanical iissues. But I thought I'd ask. But just persons to person, any advice on this? I seldom sell a car. It's usually towed away by cops or tow trucks! LOL!

I won't go with anyone for the drive. Good advise. But how can they test drive a car without a key? Or are you saying just give them a second key, not my personal keys?

They'll be leaving the car they came in behind. Should I request they leave their car keys with it?

I can screen after the initial emails by phone before meeting. There's a church next door. I would want to park the car there and they can come meet me and Chris (my husband). I'd want them to bring cash payment at that meeting in case they want the vehicle. I take their info and the key to their car. But aside from that ow in the world can I make sure they are the rightful owner? The fact that they're at the church would probably protect me from illegalities if they stold the vehicle their in.

Say they want to come when the church has their service Wednesdays and I have to do it at my home.
If I'm at home how would I find out if the car is stolen?

I like "ask to hold the fundage". It's cash and easily countable when returned. But Hondas can go 40+miles on a gallon of gas. If they want to take it somewhere closer and take parts off it, ect. That gallon will allow it, gas cap or not.

Whose my irritating neighbor? The pastor of the church? I don't know about that. He and I are "friendly" but last time I asked him and his fellows a favor, like help me push the car from my second driveway to the garage to protect it, he asked me to attend the church afterward. You know, there's no free love lunch.

Folks, I want to do this safely but I also want to do it within reason. I don't want to lose the sale because I'm treating them like they may be felons. Good buyers will understand and accept ids and maybe even hold the fundage. Is that something commonly done?

I love the wedding ring story. You ought to do stand up comedy! You're really quite a character.