Where will I be the next time I can't keep my 200 started?
Probably a lot of dumb questions here, but I fix people, not cars for a living.
I just bought this car a year ago, had it checked by 2 mechanics, everything was ok, but needed a new oxygen sensor - the MIL light was on which is why I knew about it. Everything worked, ran fine, even the cruise control and ac were working. However, at the time, I couldn't get the O2 sensor replaced for less then $200. For a student, that's 3 months of food. The car still ran...until now.
I have continued with other minor repairs, and regular maintenance, but have not been able to afford a major repair. First the cruise control stopped working (light comes on the dash switch, but control set doesn't maintain the engine speed) and then the AC would drop the RPM's to the point of killing the engine. Simple answer right then: don't use either feature.
Now, 10 months later, I am living in Humidity-heat Hell of New Orleans, and not only do I need to get the AC working again, but the car will not stay started. Turns over, and then kills unless my foot is on the accelerator. I have a 5-speed, it's difficult to drive with one foot on both the gas and brake, not to mention bad for all invloved (including my coordination). Tonight I replaced the O2 sensor. At first, the car was running great, and even the AC was working again with no problem. But after 20 mins of driving, the car is now starting to slip back to the not staying started problem, and the AC problem is still there and MIL light is still on. Do I need to have the idle adjusted/tune-up done? Wait it out - if so how long? Will the MIL light go off by itself (assuming there are no other problems)?
Can I diagnose/fix this myself (there really is not another option)? Basically I have 4 days to fix this before I am back in school, and I need the transportation to/from school and work. So two bad things against me: no money and little time :-(
Jacqueline