For the first time in a long time, I am without hope, and scared to death.
The alternator in my car went bad after driving some distance yesterday. Without it, the car will not run, and the battery will drain quickly because the alternator is part of the charging system to charge the battery up. Yesterday evening AAA replaced my battery with a brand new one, but they could not replace the alternator. It’s not something they do. I have done this type of work before so I was able to remove to old one to take to the store and pick up the remanufactured replacement. Having used remanufactured parts, I’ve never had a problem with one not just fitting perfectly before. This is literally the first time since working on cars starting at age 13 that this issue has ever come up. I’m 58 now. Do the math, long time, lotta parts, never a problem. This part is a Duralast and it came from Autozone.
I was with the help of some kind folks able to order a replacement. The replacement arrived, and after all the work of getting the original out of the car, the replacement is not a complete match. I called AutoZone back which was the store I got it from, (they were the only ones with any in stock anywhere), they have ordered a new replacement, but it won’t arrive until late Tuesday afternoon. So I am stranded at a motel (which is fine because I actually am able to sleep when here), but I need funds to hold me until at least Thursday, just in case, so that I can receive the replacement part on Tuesday late, hopefully install it, and get the car running so that I can get to a dog sit that is coming up next weekend.
How much do I need? $60 per day, so until Thursday would be $240.00. I have reached out to Code of Vets to see if they’re able to help, but just in case they’re not, I wanted to reach out to AMERICA and see if you’re able to help out. The $240.00 is just for the room, they have a continental breakfast here so I can eat that, so really just the room is what I need covered.
Tomorrow I am going to call a local shop just in case to see what they would charge to do this work and maybe that’s a route to go as well. I think it will be much more than me doing it myself, but I’m going to ask.
If you’ve ever been stranded with literally no one you can call for help, you know what this feels like. If you haven’t…it’s sickening and I’m truly at my end of rope because I don’t know what’s next and I don’t feel safe any longer without my car because it’s been my home for so long.
Thanks for reading. I know some will laugh, others will say “told you so”, still others will say “go to a shelter and become part of the system, you have no reason to get back on your feet”. I’m hoping someone out there will say “hey that was me, that situation sucks, I get it, I want to help”. I’m going to pray now.
If you can help, please use https://www.paypal.me/MikeMurdock or $veteran on CashApp.
Thank you and God bless you for your help.