an elderly friend who lives in Santa Fe is looking for a good mechanic to work on her 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. The vehicle shuts off while driving, but then can be restarted. I live 400 miles away from her, so know nothing about Santa Fe mechanics. If any contributor to this board knows that neck of the woods and has any suggestions to offer it would be much appreciated.
My advice is don’t get involved. This is what my Buick was doing. Two different shops and no resolution. Cleaned grounds, changed ignition, swapped computer and coil, hooked a fuel pressure gauge and taped it to the windshield. When I thought the problem was solved I’d take it out and would stall in seven miles. Months of diagnostics and parts and no solution. Finally junked it and got $500 in trade. Still wonder what it was. This kind of thing will drive her nuts.
Water under the bridge. But still frustrating that we don’t know why your Buick was stalling. hmmm … if someone else finds themselves in similar predicament, and knows fuel pressure is ok, maybe hook a timing light sensor over a spark plug wire, and put the timing light inside the car. The timing light will flash if there’s a spark electrical pulse. If the car doesn’t have any spark plug wires, well, there’s your problem … lol …
I know nothing about shops/mechanics in Santa Fe but I felt I should post that, contrary to the suggestion to not get involved, it’s very nice of you to help out an elderly friend. These things can be solved. I had this issue recently on a 2008 Corvette. It ended up being the ignition switch - 2 hrs. labor and a ~$50 part. Best of luck!
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Yeah eventually they maybe can be solved but at what price. Like I said new switch, the one on the column, crank senso, cam sensor, test light on under the hood, pressure gauge, Crt in diagnostic codes, no change in any output readings, etc. etc. I’d have go back and look at everything I did over the months. When I thought I had it, started driving it to work again, and stalling. The day I traded, it stalled at the stop light just outside the dealer. Pulled in gave them the keys, picked my new car up and never looked back. Probably a bad wire somewhere in the 5000 feet of wire. Who knows?
You want grandma to experience same? Try one shop then give it up.
I would check on google maps and on yelp for highly rated mechanics in the area. Also, does she have friends or acquaintances that might recommend a shop?
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I did some more looking and forwarded a couple of possibilities to her. Don’t much know how much to trust Yelp reviews, but did find some local shops that had good independent reviews. I appreciate the advice.
+1
Friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers, anyone she knows is a potential source of information on a good garage. I know of three within about 5 miles of my home that are very good. We found out about two from friends and another our outlaw relative.
Just sayin that 400 miles is but a 6 to 8 hour drive. In my past life, the folks at the post office seemed to know everything about everyone if they would share it. I think the folks at Napa could shed some light on the best shops if asked. When I needed my roof done I asked at the lumber yard for a couple names. Cup of coffee at the local diner etc. ya blow into a new town, ya try to connect with the folks that live there for information. Buy a gallon of anti freeze and go, say I’ve got a stalling problem, any good shops around here that you know of?
Didn’t GM have to recall a bunch of ignition switches about that time? I’d suggest that she start with the dealer to see if her vehicle is under that recall. I was a safety recall so there is no time limit.
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Good idea, he can check here:
Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment | NHTSA
Even if it’s not one of the recalled vehicles, the ignition switch would be a likely candidate.
True. My cousin’s husband delivers mail in a rural Western PA town. He sees some things, possibly illegal, but doesn’t report them officially. If he did he would be a witness and could be called into court to provide testimony. The Post Office has found over time that employees that use their daily access to customers mailboxes are often in significant danger if they report unusual circumstances and the perps decide to hurt them or their families. They are not required to report anything they see for that reason.
Seems like a very good policy. The post office should focus on delivering the mail and keeping the postal carriers safe. I notice at least half a dozen nearby minor code violations, but they don’t cause me any problems , easily ignored. Common sense.
Try not shoveling out your mail box though and see how fast you get a note citing the federal law.
Do you mean the post office will complain if you don’t remove the mail? That policy makes sense to me, b/c if the mail isn’t being collected, it could mean the person inside is perhaps injured, unable to move, and needs some help. I suppose a property owner could hold to the position that it is their mail box, and they get to decide what to do with it, post office has no say. Valid arguments could be made either way.
If the box is full the just leave a note to collect your mail at the post office.
If you don’t shovel (blow, who shovels anymore?), you get a note on the federal law to not obstruct access. Snow tat is. That white stuff only in northern climes.
I was in a strange town, needed auto repair, love NAPA parts, called the local NAPA dealer, told them the symptoms and they recommended a great shop.
Thanks again for the helpful suggestions. I’ll see what can be done.
Ok, understand now. I’ve never had to worry about that complaint here in San Jose, no snow … lol … but I do get flyers from the local water company occasionally reminding me I am required to trim ornamental vegetation the blocks access to their water meter.
No walking a path for my guy or girl. They drive up to the mail box. If they have to get out they get mad. Haven’t seen the red head for a while though. Maybe she got mad anyway.