She's Dead Jim

[Macon Marauder]

I drove my Mustang to work this morning. Something I don't usually like to do when it's raining. But I had no choice. You see; when I got ready to leave, the Marauder was <sniff> DEAD!

Instead of starting, it makes a horrible grinding noise. You know the sound a starter makes when the engine's already running? It's like that only: the engine's not running!

What a bummer! Less than 1 month old, fewer than a thousand miles on the odo. Oh well, what are warranties for anyway? Guess they'll have to send out a roll-back...

[Logan]

You forgot to kiss it before you went to bed last night didn't you... :(

Bring flowers home with you and maybe it'll start up.. :)

[Macon Marauder]

Thanks for lightening my mood, Logan!

Flowers (and maybe chocolates?) it is.

[BISHOPSS95]

Make sure you wear that 93 octaine fragrance when you do.

:)

[Logan]

No worries, I bet your starter just decided to go kaplooie, should be a quick trip to the doctor...

[Macon Marauder]

Since I started this thread, please forgive me as I take it in a new direction: a comparo (sorta).

My Stang was my favorite: she was sporty, easy on the eyes, and fast. She only has 36K on her today. I don't have specs or times or anything, but she was a blast to drive. Only "mods" are a K&N air filter, removed silencer, and Mobil 1.

She's been garaged a lot lately. It's that time of year when convertibles should be hibernating - and - oh yeah! There's a new MM in the driveway!

Driving the Stang today after a month in the MM was an eye-opener! When my twelve year old son got in (he's already 5'10'' and 160 pounds) he immediately started trying to push the seat back - but it was already back as far as it would go.

A car that used to feel like an extension of my body and fit "like a glove" seemed foreign to me now. I felt like I was sitting on a skateboard!

When merging with traffic on the interstate I found myself bouncing forward in the seat mumbling "go, go, go" under my breath. Why won't she ACCELERATE?!

And what's wrong with the handling? How can a car so small and light wallow like a pig? And how come some of the other cars are pulling away from me at the lights? And why is it so quiet? Is the engine even running? Where's that V8 growl? How come she bottomed out on that dip? I was going the same speed I always do!

Once you've been spoiled by the best it's hard to go back.

[SergntMac]

And we think women are fickle...

[NYSP618]

Sure will make you appreciate the good things in life.........

[Bigdogjim]

Macon Marauder: Sorry to hear that your "toy" is not running! Take heart I am setting here 40 miles north of Phil. in about 6" of snow as of 1:30 Pm est. Not very good MM weather! Hope it is a quick fix! Please let all us know what they found? How many miles on your? just so the rest of us can get an idea. Some are daily rides and others have a back up.(need my 4X4 today)
Best of luck!
Big Dog Jim

[LincMercLover]

My Dad's F-150 used to do that for awhile sometimes. Like an occasional trip to wherever, I'd get back in and startup like normal, but no go. That starter just went ZZZZZZZZZZZIP! Only did it for a couple months, then quit, and hasn't done it since. I don't know what was up with it, possibly it was overheated? Did you try to start it again after it went ZIP? I bet she'd start when you got home... If not, definatly time to get on your knees and kissing the lil God's head on the rims... :D

[Macon Marauder]

We were running late this morning so I could only:
1. try to start MM
2. hear horrible death-scream-like noise
3. exchange WTF looks with son
4. repeat steps 1-3
5. throw everything in the Stang
6. make like a bat out of Hell
7. call wife from work
8. before I can ask her to try to start the MM she says, "What's that horrible noise the Marauder makes instead of cranking up?"
(she thought I just left it there for her and was gonna use it to take the little ones to school!)

I dunno. It sat all night - unmolested as far as I know. Though it got pretty cold. My wife thinks that may be a factor - I think not.

I may pull the negative battery cable off this evening for a "reboot" but I'm not hopeful.

It has about 970 miles on it...

[Macon Marauder]

Ya know - I ain't bitter. I think this is probably the first car I've ever had "break down" on me in my own driveway. Could a been lots, lots worse.

Big Dog: Yeah, I wouldn't want to go "skating" in the MM, either. Not without some serious winter boots!

[Macon Marauder]

It's the starter.

And guess what? Say it with me:
"We had to order it."

Be here Monday. No MM for the weekend...
:(

[SergntMac]

Wow, Macon, no starter in stock for the Marauder at a LM parts counter...bummer.

Wouldn't a starter for the GM with 300B option work?

[SergntMac]

On second thought...

A very long time ago, I had a '67 Mustang 390/GTA, that suffered from what is best explained today as a "water leak."

Back then, water often got inside my starter motor, and when it got real cold, everything froze. Once I figured this out, I didn't driver her without warming or drying things first. But, not having a steady garage, a few times she caught me cold, and stupid.

It only took one turn of the key. Once. Just once. I turned the starter and she was done. Frozen, and fried in one turn of the key, and now another day off from work, and a days work from parts counter to replaced starter. 30 bucks a pop back then, I remember it well, but like I said, that was a long time ago too.

Macon, is this "water" thingy possible? Please say it isn't so...

[Bigdogjim]

[i]Originally posted by Macon Marauder

Big Dog: Yeah, I wouldn't want to go "skating" in the MM, either. Not without some serious winter boots! [/B]

If we ever did I bet we would have the towns folk running for thier lives! Something that BIG and that black would make any one do a double take! By the way I need a new right exhaust tube. And yes you gussed it right! It must be on the truck with your starter!
Good luck with it!
Big Dog Jim

[Macon Marauder]

Sarge,

You're scaring me! I hope the water problem's not an option. However, I'm almost ashamed to say that the MM is out in the weather at night (I need more covered parking!), but in the parking garage during the day. It had been raining earlier in the week, and it did get down past freezing that night...

My only experience with problem starters comes from Ford big blocks: a 69 XL 429 (first car) and the 68 XL 390 I have now. They both had/have problems with heat, apparently.

PS: The service guy said they had to order the starter cuz "that car is so new." I didn't ask for any more info.

(RANT)Anybody remember the old days when guys that worked at garages were "car guys?" This guy didn't seem like he was too into it, if you know what I mean. And I wasn't real impressed with the service. The MM is the first car I've bought from this dealer, and this was my first trip to the service department. Maybe I expected too much for my $30,000 investment.(END RANT)

PPS: The tow truck guy was great, though! Friendly and professional. I rode back with him rather than waiting around the dealership for the "courtesy van."

[MAD-3R]

Well, My MM sits in weather all the time, and other the roasted/frozen tushie, I've had no problems. :) THe garage is on the Home improvement list. Just need to pour a slab and driveway, and errect the building, after saving the money for such.

I'll probebly still have to keep it in the weather, so there is room to do the restoration of my wifes ride, what ever that will be. SHe still hasn't made up her mind... :rolleyes:

[NYSP618]

I just find it hard to believe that in this day of "customer service" they would not have the courtesy to give you a loaner until your starter was repaired. Maybe I just have too good a relationship with my dealer but almost anytime I have had one of my "new" cars in the shop and it had to stay overnight I got a rental car for free. Heck, they even gave me one once when they kept my SS overnight for a doll-up. Service does count for me, usually it's worth paying a few extra bucks to get the good dealer. By the way, I didn't think it got that cold in Georgia....

[MAD-3R]

They had over 3 inches in one blizzard, and shut the city down for a WEEK!!! :D

[NYSP618]

Makes me wonder why I am at work today (2 inches last night)

[Macon Marauder]

We've already had a few nights in the 20's in central GA. As for snow, yeah, snow and GA don't mix - unless maybe in the mountains. We don't expect it, don't plan for it, and don't handle it very well at all. Even if you're a "transplant" you're better off staying at home: most of those who drive in it are a danger to themselves, others, and the wildlife.

As for service. It's a long story which I've written about before, but basically, I bought from these guys because of THE DEAL. Thought I'd give their service department a chance. And they had to order a piece of interior trim that was missing from the front passenger door when I bought the car anyway.

After this I'll go back to the guys I know at the Ford store.

[Macon Marauder]

Daddy's baby is all better!

Only temporarily dead after all.

New starter's installed and she's waiting for me to pick up. I'm leaving work early!

[Macon Marauder]

I'm Maraudering again and life is sweet!

God I missed her!

LinMercLover: if you read this my heart goes out to you. One weekend without my Marauder was way too much. Don't know how you can stand it.

[bozobill]

Dear Doctor Freud, I haf dis kar wit which i am in much luff. Help me tru da nites widdowd id. danka!