Back to the Shop

It's been a long time since the last car repair. Truth be told, I haven't missed it as much as I thought. It was actually nice not to spend every weekend trying to keep the cars on the road.

We sold off the last of the Subarus last November.  We bought a used Toyota Rav in early March so that Cheryl would have something to drive which didn't require a clutch (because of her knee issues).  Later that month, the Grand Am was put up on Craigslist (and sold in a matter of hours). So for the past several months, we've been plagued with cars that actually work.

The repair shop has been reduced to simple maintenance - oil changes, filters, and brakes. Nothing that requires a great deal of effort.

Until Monday.

Deb called to request assistance because her Camry had suddenly stopped working. She was on her way home from work and the engine suddenly stopped, but she was able to steer over to the side of the road. It only took me twenty minutes or so to get there, and I had brought all my normal tools, hoping it was going to be a simple fix. But of course it wasn't.

Battery checked out OK.

Belts looked good (except I couldn't see the timing belt, of course).

Didn't sound like anything was firing, which indicated that it was probably a lack of spark, or fuel, or compression.

Fuel pump fuses & relay looked good.

I didn't smell any fuel, though, so I'm hoping it's something simple like a failed fuel pump. The alternative is a busted timing belt, which is not something I have the time or inclination to deal with.

So it looks like the shop is open for business again.