Car Update

After charging my battery overnight, my car finally started. However, my check engine light still came on. I disconnected my battery for about an hour, hoping that this would help my car recognize that it was fixed (some random interneter recommended this). Devastatingly, the check engine light still came on once I had reconnected the battery. In the midst of my repair research I had emailed an auto repair place to get a repair estimate--they said it would take over $100 just to diagnose the exact problem in addition to the parts and labor to fix it. Since I am unemployed and have made a total of $40 in the past two months, this estimate had motivated me to continue with my quest to fix the problem myself. So, it was extra devastating when my check engine light didn't turn off: I was now $42 into the project, hadn't made any progress, and had hundreds of dollars between me and a fixed car. My car was still driving ok, so I considered ignoring the problem indefinitely (always sensible), but I needed to register my car in Washington (I was supposed to do this a month ago), and in order to do so I needed to pass an emissions test (I'm pretty sure you can't pass with a check engine light on).

But. Then I drove it on a couple short errands. And. Wait for it. The check engine light turned OFF. I passed my emissions test today and am back to having Washington plates. All is right with the world.

And I was able to fix my car window, which stopped working this summer. Estimates to repair this were around $400. I found the motor/regulator that fit my car, and now, $55 and about 7 youtube videos later, my window rolls both up and down and is sealed from rain without the help of plastic bags and door stops. Look at me go!

Day 29: Purchased

This is an output shaft speed sensor. My check engine light came on a couple weeks ago, so I took it to an auto parts store to get a free scan (who knew this existed?), and the result was p0720 Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit. So, after hours of research and many visits to jeepforum.com, I decided I could fix this myself. I took three trips to Napa Auto parts this morning, and $42.95 later, I finally had my hands on the correct part. This lovely output  speed sensor. I shimmied under my car, which was an incredibly claustrophobic experience because you're actually supposed to raise your car to work underneath it (who has time/knowledge/tools for that?), located the part on the transmission, and, after a small battle with the electrical plug and a wrench, I removed the faulty part and installed the new one.

And now, instead of a check engine light and a little jolt when my car tries to shift, my car won't even start. Did I mention that owning a car is the WORST?