Engine light and battery light won't go off

[LostinVA]

Ever since drunken FIL put the new battery in backwards (yeah, I know -- I told him it was in wrong, but he ignored me). Is this from his screw up, or what? The car starts fine.

My car is also suddenly buzzing when I put in in reverse. Transmission fluid?

[LostinVA]

1. kick

[littlebit]

2. I am just guessing

but your alternator might be going out. That's usually what it is when your battery light comes on. The car will run fine for a while then one day it just won't start. As far as the buzzing. It is only in reverse? How loud is it? Oh and is it a manual or an automatic?

[LostinVA]

4. The car had been sitting idle for a bit over a week and the electrics are always on in my car

So, I think that's why the battery died.

The buzzing is only in reverse. It's kind of loud.

The car is a manual/automatic hybrid. It's a VW Golf TDI.

[littlebit]

8. I still think it may be the alternator

Your transmission may be going out also. Check the transmission fluid and if it is low add a little. See if that helps. If not you may be loosing that gear. Also make sure the oil and coolant level is good. That can cause the engine light to come on. The battery light coming on means there is an issue somewhere with the electrical system. I would take it to a mechanic and let them mess around with it. That way you are not replacing things hat don't need to be replaced.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Jeebus. No friggin' idea.

How was the vacation?

:loveya:

[LostinVA]

5. The vacation was pretty good

I just wish we got to spend more time in port (Alaskan cruise) and we left a couple family members home. A few of them should not be taken anywhere in public. I also learned that Haruka is really bad luck in the casino. She'd lose the money, stand next to me, and make me lose money, then I'd send her off to the bar and win back everything we just lost, plus some.

Haruka took a ton of gorgeous pictures, which I need to make her put up on flickr.

[LeftyMom]

6. Aren't your people supposed to be handy?

Consider my illusions shattered. ;)

[LostinVA]

7. Well, Haruka could have done it, but we didn't have the tools

He had the tools, and he wouldn't leave them with us, so he messed up my car. We both told him it was backwards, but he wouldn't listen.

She got the lesbian handiness gene more than me, but we're both apparently better than him.

[LeftyMom]

9. Next time you get married, gift card to Sears.

;)

[LostinVA]

11. Sears doesn't sell batteries for diesel cars

Fuckers.

[LeftyMom]

13. But you need tools.

And they have tools. I'd give you a card to Harbor Freight, but that may be one of those things, like BevMo, that we only have out here on the Best Coast.

[LostinVA]

16. We're on the Best Coast

There aren't any Harbor Freight's out here. However, we should soon be getting some tools and a pirated canoe from one of Haruka's step-grandfathers. He's old and moving in with his daughter, where he won't need that stuff.

Actually, he never used his pirated canoe, but hey, it was free.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. Voltage Regulator.

Have it checked.

Might just be that simple.

[LostinVA]

12. I hope so

Do you think it would be okay to drive it about 12 miles on interstate to work, before I can get it to the VW place tomorrow?

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. Probably...

just do it in the daytime on a sunny day. If the voltage regulator is screwy, it will be seriously affected by demands on the electrical system. Since you mention it is a Hybrid, you could probably multiply this effect several times.



Ahhhh for the days when one could open the hood of a car and not only see the street, but everything you needed to get to was within easy reach.

[Orrex]

15. On the bright side, that backwards battery will make your odometer run backwards

And it will fill your gas tank. It's a win-win!