The White Witch....Is a Witch...

Today was nice enough, overcast but rain not forcasted until after dark, cool but not cold and certainly not hot. So I and a buddy take the White Witch out. Had to get her jumped but she's been in and out of shops for so long and sitting since Saturday. I figured it was just a weak battery and the jump followed by 30-45 minutes of driving would make everything better. Well...I got about 30 minutes into the drive and it started to rain, so we turned to head back. On the interstate the rpms drop really low. So I pull off and the car dies shortly after. So, happily sitting on the side of the road I go through the mental list of what could be wrong. Final decision, the alternator isn't charging. Cool. Cal up a friend, see if he'll bring me an alternator...almost unbelievably...he can stop and pick one up and bring it by, but I've gotta wait until 6(30 minutes) and then about 45 minutes for him to get the part and get to where I am. Well, not a lot of alternatives here, so absolutely I'll be here. About 10 minutes before my friend was going to show up a good samaritan in a RAV4 stops..."Hello, I'm a mechanic, can I help?" "Well, actually this is what happened, and this is what it does now ... what do you think it is?" "sounds like the alternator or the wiring" "GOOD, I diagnosed it correctly, is this how you change alternators?" "Yep, but unplug the battery first.." He leaves, while he and I were talking a State Police Cruiser pulls up. Apparently its illegal to repair a car on the side of an interstate...so my FAVORITE Police officer EVER calls a tow truck for me. Tow driver shows up looking for the guy in the RAV4 The police officer couldn't tell the difference between a driveable RAV4 and a non-running Corvette...the big tell I saw was that the RAV4 LEFT. Who knows...must be something in the water. Got it towed to Newark for $85...wasn't happy but whatever, my friend brought the alternator to Newark. Changed it in 20-25 minutes. Hooray Paragon! Everyone cheer. Now the car idles at 400 rpm with occasional surges to 500. In Park. So I'm confused but whatever. I pull the car into the parking deck and let it run for 45 minutes or so charging the battery...get something out of the car and close the door....OH GOODIE..Its locked....I'm locked out of my Corvette, WHILE ITS RUNNING...Got it opened and off...So all's well that ends well right?

Scot

If you didn't have bad luck...LOL you know the rest.

Scot, I dub thee PigPen the 2nd...!!! (David, aka swwales, is PigPen the 1st)

Scot - ever hear of the trials of Job?

So - after all that, is the car starting again on it's own?

As of Yesterday she worked, except for the idle speed.

Scot

Cruise today Eric?

Make sure you dont have the alternator belt too tight! you could burn up the bearing. I have been told too tight a belt lower idle speed. shpould have 3/4 inch of flex. Just my 2 cents worth.

|UPDATED|6/29/2004 2:14:13 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

That was the problem, fixed it now!

I am always amazed at the things that happen to you and your car. Just amazed. The troopers, crappy mechanics, etc. Amazed.

Its really pathetic when I'm the best mechanic to have touched that car since I've owned it. Considering before I got it...I was pretty sure I knew how to change the Oil...

Scot

thats all good though...

the only thing that seperates you from the automotive geniuses like ken is experience.

if it never broke down you wouldnt learn anything.