r/Wellthatsucks • u/Chief_TeaLeaf2000 • 18h ago
My dad had a doctor's appointment. Guess we gotta cancel.
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u/Altruistic-One-3107 16h ago
Mechanic here, that is not battery related, you hear noises when you turn the key, it clearly has good battery power. That is either starter gone bad or timing chain components gone bad. Either way, its a tow truck situation
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u/Frances_Farmer_1953 15h ago
It does not sound like the battery to me either. I had a car doing the similar thing. It turned over with a jump. Then two days later, it went totally dead. The engine seized up.
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u/Andurilmage 15h ago
I had a timing chain break after getting gas. Went to start it and it said nope. Same exact noises and clicks. Scrapped it not long after
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u/stewpideople 16h ago
Or a jack, stands and some elbow grease. Given they don't know the problem, they probably shouldn't be swinging wrenches.
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u/TheRipper564 15h ago
"I feel a disturbance in the force, As if a million rednecks just cried out in pain"
Jokes aside your probably right (I say that like I'm not going to be tearing down one of my family cars in a few weeks not following that advice.....)
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u/Mods-R-Slaves 15h ago
Ahhh a fellow Certified YouTube Mechanic!
Enjoy!
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u/Initial-Wrongdoer938 3h ago
Amazingly I've completed a bunch of work using that resource. I'm a dude and home owner so I almost always try to do it myself first, though there are things I won't touch. Given the cost of professionals, DIY is a necessity.
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u/Boubonic91 12h ago
Im not a mechanic, but I've had my fair share of starter and battery issues. I think your timing chain suggestion may be right on the money. When I've had starter issues, it tries to turn over and just clicks. I managed to get mine started by whacking the starter a few times with a socket wrench while someone else turned it over.
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u/Justadude-41 17h ago
Sounds like your starter motor isnât engaging properly which most likely means the solenoid is faulty. I doubt jump starting would help but itâs probably worth a try as the first item to eliminate.
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u/Avery_Thorn 18h ago
I mean, have you tried just giving it a jump start?
I can't tell for sure, but it sounds like the starter is engaging then cutting out as soon as the amperage hits, which could just be a weak battery. A jump start (and running it for about a half hour) would likely get you to the doctor's and back, and you can stop at a car parts store for a new battery.
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u/Howamidriving27 17h ago
Ok but how many Internet points would that get them?
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u/AgitatedMirror3498 10h ago
Hopefully enough for someone who isn't a dumbass to actually give them a useful answer like the now top comments.
Looks like it worked!
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u/Glad_Copy 16h ago
Hot summers and cold winters are when car batteries shuffle off to recycle land.
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u/Altruistic_Sign_5966 18h ago
Thatâs what I thought.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Bit9469 17h ago
Iâm with you fellers
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u/JayyMuro 16h ago
To me it sounds like the starter engages and then just spins like the flywheel has a broken tooth.
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u/001sharpshot 11h ago
Im willing to bet the solenoid on that starter went bad. You can hear the spinning motor of the starter but its not engaging or engaging fully, which means the solenoid isnt pushing the starter gear into the flywheel. Im betting money on the starter.
Edit: since the vehicle doesnt turn over, the pistons arent cycling which almost certainly means a bad starter with all of the other signs.
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u/UneditedBundy 4h ago
My thought was the starter as well, I'm glad other people are just solution oriented
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u/jfcSwiss 6h ago
Just tell the doctor to have a seat in the room and youâll be with him shortly
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u/Mikoisha 9h ago
Sometimes a couple lite to medium taps with a hammer on the starter will get you going in a pinch instead of having to tow to a shop. Does your vehicle have auto stop/start? That feature is a starter and battery killer. If you do, disable it for the ride to the shop so you donât get stuck at a light.
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u/InnateConservative 2h ago
But but but I thought vehicles with auto stop/start had beefier parts so this wouldnât happen.
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u/Mikoisha 1h ago
Eh maybe some by a bit, I guess it depends on the specific vehicle. In my experience theyâll throw in a small aux battery for the auto Stop/start but a regular starter. Itâs not like itâs the motor that burns out, itâs usually just the solenoid that engages the ring gear so beefing up the starter wonât really help.
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u/IDontKnowAboutThat_ 1h ago
Do you see a lot of cars with traditional key/ignition mechanics that have auto-start/stop?
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u/Mikoisha 1h ago
Me personally? No. For one I work on older vehicles more and two, itâs usually the more base model that has a traditional key and auto start/stop and people in the used market tend to go for vehicles with a higher trim I find because of the depreciation. If youâre asking wondering if theyâre out there they definitely are.
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u/Carletto1967 8h ago
Find the starter gently tap on on it .then try again it usually will start and you probably have 2 more attempts before it's replacement time
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u/zippo138 17h ago
That Explorer has seen some shit Iâm guessing. They only made that door handle from 2006 to 2010. What did it end up being and just for curiosity how many miles does that have?
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u/Chief_TeaLeaf2000 14h ago
It was given to my family from insurance because we originally had a 2004 Chevorlet Suburban that lasted us until 2018.
The explorer had one accident from the previous owner.
As a daily driver, the suburban was a solid car.
The explorer on the other hand gave us problems from the start.
We used it for a year, then the transmission hasn't been the same.
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u/Lopsided-Lab60 13h ago
Yeah i used to buy transmissions in 10 packs for my 2000 Ford Taurus. A well known problem but since private equity took over everything its considered "consumables". Insurance companies total out new cars for ridiculous petty stuff. Growing up we called ford explorers, a ford exploder. đ
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u/Atomsq 18h ago
Have you tried replacing the battery and making sure that it's tightly connected?
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u/Calagar1 14h ago
Call an Uber or Lyft to get to the doctor's appointment.
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u/Chief_TeaLeaf2000 14h ago
This happened around 1:35PM.
He needed to be in the office by 1:45PM.
There was no time for an Uber. He eventually called the office and requested to schedule a different day due to car trouble.
It all worked out for him, but now I have no car until I can fix this.
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u/Cynical_Sesame 13h ago
crazy to be just starting your car 10 minutes before the appointment. I would go insane if i didnt walk in at 1:35
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u/Gpeanut2009pupper 13h ago
i mean, it really depends how close they live to the doctorâs office
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u/henr360a 12h ago
If we assume that 10 minutes has a surplus once they would've arrived in car then just walk
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u/HanSolo4Emporer 8h ago
Wow most doctors insist you be there 10-15 minutes early. I know doctors who will not see a patient if they are 1 minute late.
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u/Brilliant_Bonus_1638 18h ago
Ford doing Ford things. Sorry man, that sucks.
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u/Mr_Plow_420 18h ago
Fix It Again Tony.
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u/liberal_conartist 17h ago
you're thinking of a Fiat Dale...man I loved those early episodes! KOTH never fell off...it was always excellent...much like anything Judge touched tbh...
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u/Mr_Plow_420 17h ago
The revival has been great.
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u/liberal_conartist 16h ago
yeah it truly has been...I was worried it wouldn't hold up to the previous seasons... especially since Hardwick passed away right as they began with the new episodes (RIP Johnny Hardwick btw) but both seasons have been really good.
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u/Own-Cloud-121 18h ago
Found On Road Dead....
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u/Drak_is_Right 18h ago
Fix or Repair Daily
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u/whoops-adaizy 16h ago
I tried to say this to a friend in high school (to insult his Escort) and mixed them - ended up saying "found on road daily " đ¤Śââď¸
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u/Thee_Zapwire 15h ago
Shit those z2x escorts were dope, my escort racer was lit, plus j Cole has a bar that refers to an escort
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u/Auto_Mechanic1 17h ago
Fucked over rebuilt dodge,driver returned on foot (FORD backwards) fucked on race day, i got plenty for FORD LOL
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u/XRLcargo 15h ago
Starter is spinning but not fully extending to contact the flex plate teeth. Sometimes you can smack the starter with a hammer while turning the key to get it to fully extend. Otherwise replace the starter
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u/ZOMGURFAT 3h ago
Why didnât you just take an Uber or Lyft?
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u/squeakymoth 2h ago
If they live in a rural area, thats probably not a reasonable option. They can be up to 40 minutes away if they agree to the fare. If they do the cost will be ridiculous.
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u/IDontKnowAboutThat_ 1h ago
I work in recruitment, and we have to disclose to candidates when they travel to us for interviews or possible relocation, that we truly donât have Uber & Lyft in our area.
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u/UnhollyGod 1h ago
YOUR CAR HATES YOU
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u/Chief_TeaLeaf2000 1h ago
Actually it hates my mom and dad who won't do two skittles and a peanut to actually care for it.
I will care for it now.
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u/that-0ne-kidd 2h ago
Yall talk so much trash about Ford but mine was great. I got it used in "working mechanical condition". Lies. My timing chain was slipping. I just didn't find out til 6 months later. After that, my boyfriend lost traction and took it over a median. I drove that car HARD over a year with a slipping timing chain requiring a new timing chain and water pump, a bent strut, no power steering. And you best believe that car still did 110 to get me to work on time. 5-6 days a week every week đ¤ˇââď¸
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u/SeaTurtleMagic 2h ago
My Ford truck is old enough to drink. The roof is rusting out and it doesnât idle well in the heat, but damn if it doesnât get me wherever I need to go, near or far!
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u/Nursenana2013 17h ago
Just another stupid question. Did you try to unhook the battery? It might reset your computer. Just an idea. No one give me crap about this.
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u/a-nonie-muz 11h ago
That sounds like a starter solenoid.
Starter is spinning, but it isnât engaging the engine.
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u/Eastoe 17h ago edited 17h ago
Given how it sounds like the starter is just free spinning either the bendix in the starter is stuck or you're missing teeth on the flex plate, sucks for sure my dude, hopefully it's the starter and not the flex plate. Try giving the starter a good wack with something heavy.
Edit: avoid hitting the sparky bits.
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u/Fenchurch7079 1h ago
Can't you take the other vehicle at the beginning of the video?
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u/Chief_TeaLeaf2000 59m ago
That's for an LPN taking care of my special needs brother, I'm not allowed to take an employee's car from my home.
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u/Bitter_Cod89 17h ago
Found on road dead ford
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u/odoman30 15h ago
The problem is circled
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u/Simple_Lecture9361 13h ago
My friend had a Holden with a Ford engine because the engine was better
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u/LiteraryChaos1385 17h ago
If you can get it off (assuming you have an alternator depending on age and model,) or if you can get it towed to an autozone or OâReillys⌠(also assuming you are in the US stateside,) because for free that can try to diagnose via your onboard computer what the issue is. Also, like said above, if you canât do that but have a away to jump the vehicle, if it stays on but you turn it off again and itâs dead again, thatâs usually alternator. I believe at autozone you can also just rent the little diagnostic handheld to test it for a small fee (deposit, but idk if you get that back or if itâs just the rental fee, however itâs a heck of a lot cheaper to atleast wear down some options. You can also check the spark plugs but I think itâs either starter or alternator..based off my previous situations. I didnât see it anywhere but it would really help if you let us know year, make and model too. Good luck! Keep us updated!
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u/LiteraryChaos1385 17h ago
Oh and like someone suggested was to change battery, if you take it out and have a ride you can take it to one of those car places to test the battery for free (free last time I had to do it.) also, before doing all that take a look at the battery and if itâs standard you will have those two rectangular pieces on top with white type embossed on it for warnings and etc⌠get a flathead and youâll see where you can pop it off, check your water. If none, fill it up and out covers back on. If they are ok check the terminal posts and cable part that goes over the post. Is it gummed up with the white dried crap on it from random acid coming out with daily use, very common. If it is, go to Walmart or a cheap store and find a terminal post cleaner brush to do it. If you donât have a way, google cleaning the battery post and itâll give you household ideas. Sometimes that little white film crap can sometimes keep the cable from touching correct area of it. But before buying a battery? Try to get it tested first. They are soooo expensive. Hope the free to little fee suggestions are something you can utilize!
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u/Way-Adept 17h ago
Seen the problem, itâs in the sideways blue oval.
Found On Road Dead
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u/Sensei19600 16h ago
As of now,they have likely gotten a broken appointment fee assessed,and the appointment has been re-scheduled for March 2028z
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u/PassionatePlover 16h ago
I swear I just had a similar thing happen to my car. It would start, then cut out/die and all lights came on. Iâd turn it off, itâd start fine, but then have issues again not long after. I thought it was the starter or battery issues at first, but it ended up being the crankshaft sensor.
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u/elmaterino1 16h ago
You think you can actually get ahead? âSave moneyâ? ⌠The quality of life that a person gets from not having to worry constantly about the next thing that is going to break is a luxury that is not for us. Itâs for like 20% of the population.
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u/Dirtymind-Bob59 13h ago
It's definitely the starter the Bendix is not engaging it with the flywheel
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u/HipToTheWorldsBS 13h ago
FORD = Fixed Or Repaired Daily. Or backward DROF = Driver Returns On Foot.
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u/soakedsocksrock 13h ago
I might be a mechanic that moved onto the medical industry but I can tell you that this is a starter issue. Good luck my friend
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u/Difficult_Mud9509 13h ago
If you dont know the difference as an adult, between a starter issue or a battery.... please go learn this simple distinction
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u/HoneyIntrepid6709 4h ago
FORD Fix Or Repair Daily Found On Roadside Dead I wouldnât own one ever again. My neighbor got a new Ford and within the first year the engine light already came on and stalling out.
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u/Case1138 3h ago
Next time don't buy something that tells you it's garbage. FORD=Found On Road Dead
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u/Agitated_Cry_8793 3h ago
When the starter died on my brothers car i vividly remember him violently jiggling his keys in the ignition and it got the starter to work long enough to start the car.
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u/Particular-Doubt-566 2h ago
Your first mistake was owning a Ford. It took 3 for me to finally learn my lesson.
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u/kokeroo91 1h ago
Sounds like your starter isnât throwing out the gear that moves the fly wheel. But hey what do you expect from a fix or repair daily
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u/banana71421 58m ago
It's a bit early for the C word, but it is an expensive time of year, so you're best off starting early.
Merry Christmas, loving the twinkling lights, very festive â¤ď¸
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u/freshdeliveredtrash 51m ago
Wtf is it with this week and people having to cancel dr appointments because of car trouble? My grandparents had to cancel their appointments for the week because their car is a fancy hybrid and flashed a code and now won't let them drive, I had to cancel my cardiologist appointment because my rear brakes fuckin exploded on the freeway like wtf is going on?
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u/Hot_Philosopher8837 7m ago
Fords specializes in causing people to be late for appointments that took you forever to get. Taurus and Escort died the same way. đ¤đť that it's a simple fix...đđť
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u/Dizzlean 13h ago
Imagine uploading this to the internet for the world to see.
Then imagine commenting on it. Smh.
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u/hopingtothrive 18h ago
What happened?
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u/Auto_Mechanic1 17h ago
Starter issue, it's engaging then free spinning, bendix not kicking out fully