Post by boiler188 on Mar 8, 2023 11:09:03 GMT -6
I joined this forum about a year ago, but never introduced myself. This forum has made a world of difference for me, so I thought I'd share my story.
I have a 1997 Aurora with 60K miles. I was "gifted" the car about a year ago with approx. 53K miles from my youngest stepson. He inherited the car about four years ago with 50K miles when his father passed away. His father worked at a car dealership and had a company car to drive. For that reason, the car was not driven for 10 years. Robbie had to have it towed out of his father's garage as the tires were dry rotted and the brakes were rusted to the point of needing to be replaced. He had the car repaired and the tires replaced and had a car he could drive. He drove it very little as he lives and works in an area he can walk everywhere he needs to go. Robbie needed to use his garage and the car would not start, so he pushed it outside where it sat for six months. His mother, being a mom, told him he needed to do something with the car before people start stealing parts off of it. He said he did not need it, it was in the way and if we wanted it he would have it owed to the garage and we could have it. How could I pass on a car with 53K miles? The first thing discovered was that the catalytic converter had been stolen. The only reason the car would not start was the battery was dead. Once the battery was replaced, the mechanic noticed the lights would periodically flash and figured that since the car was in his garage, he never noticed the flashing lights and it killed the battery. The shop could not figure out how to correct the flashing lights, so I took the car home and started my research. Of course, I found the solution on this forum (with pictures!!) and solved the problem myself. The problem has never returned. I had the catalytic converter installed and I was in business. I have to say, WOW is the V8 loud when there is nothing connected to the exhaust past the rear of the engine!
Thanks to this forum I also saw that there was a recall for the fuel rail. I had the recall service performed two weeks ago at the local Chevy dealer. He was very surprised when I requested recall service for a 19 year old recall. I was very impressed that the shop never questioned doing the service. I had to leave the car for three days even though they made sure to have the parts before I dropped off the car, but I was just thrilled they did it no questions ask. I have also been fortunate as a local junk yard has a "donor" 1998 Aurora that I have used for several several replacement parts (rim, power antenna, cover for the Information Center, Etc.).
I want to thank everyone that contributes to this forum as I spend a significant amount of time looking through threads to learn all that I can.
I have a 1997 Aurora with 60K miles. I was "gifted" the car about a year ago with approx. 53K miles from my youngest stepson. He inherited the car about four years ago with 50K miles when his father passed away. His father worked at a car dealership and had a company car to drive. For that reason, the car was not driven for 10 years. Robbie had to have it towed out of his father's garage as the tires were dry rotted and the brakes were rusted to the point of needing to be replaced. He had the car repaired and the tires replaced and had a car he could drive. He drove it very little as he lives and works in an area he can walk everywhere he needs to go. Robbie needed to use his garage and the car would not start, so he pushed it outside where it sat for six months. His mother, being a mom, told him he needed to do something with the car before people start stealing parts off of it. He said he did not need it, it was in the way and if we wanted it he would have it owed to the garage and we could have it. How could I pass on a car with 53K miles? The first thing discovered was that the catalytic converter had been stolen. The only reason the car would not start was the battery was dead. Once the battery was replaced, the mechanic noticed the lights would periodically flash and figured that since the car was in his garage, he never noticed the flashing lights and it killed the battery. The shop could not figure out how to correct the flashing lights, so I took the car home and started my research. Of course, I found the solution on this forum (with pictures!!) and solved the problem myself. The problem has never returned. I had the catalytic converter installed and I was in business. I have to say, WOW is the V8 loud when there is nothing connected to the exhaust past the rear of the engine!
Thanks to this forum I also saw that there was a recall for the fuel rail. I had the recall service performed two weeks ago at the local Chevy dealer. He was very surprised when I requested recall service for a 19 year old recall. I was very impressed that the shop never questioned doing the service. I had to leave the car for three days even though they made sure to have the parts before I dropped off the car, but I was just thrilled they did it no questions ask. I have also been fortunate as a local junk yard has a "donor" 1998 Aurora that I have used for several several replacement parts (rim, power antenna, cover for the Information Center, Etc.).
I want to thank everyone that contributes to this forum as I spend a significant amount of time looking through threads to learn all that I can.