(Posted 8/25/2024) I am submitting this request to assist me in the repairs to my vehicle – a 2007 Volkswagen Passant wagon. This vehicle recently stopped running a week and half ago when the alternator quit on it. I had previously replaced the starter at a cost of $600, only to be faced with replacing the alternator which had previously been diagnosed as operative.
My vehicle has a bigger problem that is causing my need for financial help (which may have caused the demise of the starter and alternator – there appears to be a serious problem in the vehicle’s electrical system that is destroying other parts in the car and causing to batteries be completely drained every 3 weeks.
I have found a mechanic who can fix the electrical problem.
The repair of this vehicle’s electrical problem is the basis for my submission of this request because this repair cost will exceed the funds that I have available to me, and I am in desperate need of transportation.
I purchased this vehicle May 28th, 2021 from a Toyota dealership in San Louis Obispo, California. Over the last three years, I have replaced at least 4 batteries. In addition, I would exhaust my AAA roadside assistance within 3 months after I renewed my membership each year. My financial hole dug deeper and deeper every month as I was constantly stranded getting jump starts, buying new batteries every 1-6 months, and seeking out different mechanics to diagnose the ultimate cause of what started out as an unknown problem.
I invested my own funds for batteries and diagnosis of the problem.
I am a writer and author and have been working on a major publication which will be ready for publication in September 2024, and have exhausted funds that I need to market my new book.
These monthly interruptions have also seriously affected my ability to earn a living and the quality of my life. Imagine being stranded every month never knowing when or where I will be stranded, and then resolving my problems with different mechanics, friends to get jumps, borrowing money – only to repeat the same pattern every month – sometimes every week. In some instances, this problem would occur the next time I stopped the vehicle!
I should mention at this point that I am 76 years old and was 73 when I purchased this car. I also need transportation to visit doctors and purchase my required medication.
Initially I called the Toyota dealer who sold me this used vehicle because the battery that came with the car was still under warranty when the battery died. I complained to the service manager at the dealer about my battery problem, and that it was still under warranty at the time that I purchased the vehicle. The Service manager refused to discuss the matter or even replace the battery which was still under warranty. He informed me that I needed to contact Volkswagen. I asked to speak to the owner of dealership who was available but also refused to discuss my vehicle problem or even talk with me. I sent a letter to Toyota confirming this.
It was a few months as the problems continued, I realized that the dealership knew the vehicle had this problem because neither Toyota or the dealership offered to help me diagnose the problem despite my constant complaints and willingness to pay for the repair. They seemed to want me to disappear and shown no interest to want to help me diagnose the problem.
I also complained dozen of times to Toyota who financed the vehicle. Toyota also ignored my complaints and also made no effort to inquire with dealer about my car troubles despite my frequent phone calls and emails to Toyota. I don’t believe that Toyota made any effort to contact the dealer about my compliant.
It took me almost 3 years to have the problem professionally diagnosed as an electrical short. Electrical problems can be illusive, so I was forced to solve the problem by a process of elimination.
The cost of an electrical repair is unpredictable and could be extremely prohibitive because mechanics charge an hourly rate to diagnose and repair an electrical problem. This is the only vehicle I own. It could take days or weeks more to diagnose and repair this problem. I want to keep the car because I have heavily invested in this vehicle, and I believe it can be permanently repaired now that I know the nature of the problem which could only be diagnosed by a process of elimination.
I am specifically requesting $2,000.00 to repair my vehicle. My request includes the cost of replacing the alternator, the diagnosis and repair of the ongoing electrical shorts and a number minor electrical repairs. This vehicle was recently towed when it stopped running. I will be paying the cost of the tow and storage which I estimate to be $1000.00.
You can make a contribution to me at PayPal.me/philsmithjr1.
Thank you for your consideration and support.