New issue, the hazard lights are coming on, but the hazard switch doesn't turn them off, it makes them steady.

 

Well, I don't know what the heck I did, but now the car won't start. Tried a hotshot....nothing. Noticed that the shiftlock was engaged too.

 

This hazard light issue started when I got out of the car and my elbow bumped the turn signal (which also has some sort of hazard lights on it too). I swapped batteries thinking that was the problem, but no go. The only way I could get the hazards to stop blinking was to disconnect the battery. Even with the new battery the car won't start.

 

Try locking and unlocking the car with the key.
The alarm was going off. The car won't start when it is going off.

I would not use the Screw type clamp most of the time they won't fit they will cause damage there is not enough clearance.

 

Thanks Tech, Yep it was the alarm. Why do you think the CV boot is out of shape.

New problem. Put in gear and heard a bad noise (a mild kind of rumbling), and car did not drive. Took it out of gear immediately and turned it off. Apparently I must not have seated one of the axles in the transmission properly. I don't understand it, I was very careful. Any idea which one I should look at first?

 

Check drivers side first and make sure it is in the Transmisson all the way.
Then loo at the passenger side and make sure the inner joint is seated all the way.


I wouldn't worry to much about the Boot itself.

 

OK, I figured it'd be driver's side because the passenger side has those bolts which dictate the depth of the spindle into the trans.

I might try rotating the tire to see if I can get that crease out of the boot. I'm glad it's not a big issue tho.

It's dark here in Maryland now, so I'll work on it first thing in the morning.

I mentioned that I put new brake pads on. Someone told me I have to put the car in reverse to seat the pads. Also, the pads seem to ride to the very edge of the rotor. Since there is a little lip on the rotor from wear, I was a little concerned about that too.

 

The pads will sit just below the Lip.

Drive the car to seat the Pads. It will take about a mile or 2 to get them proper. You will feel it when you drive it.

 

I checked the axles, they both appear to be seated fully in the trans. When I twist one I can feel the pressure on the other one. When I installed the driver's side, it did click and then I could not pull it out, plus the clearance between the inner joint and trans is just enough to get a pry bar in there.

You mentioned the inner joint on the passenger's side. How do I check that?

 

To be more specific, I can rotate the passenger side axle just a little, and I can feel the pressure transferred to the driver's side. The driver's side, I can not rotate. The passenger side axle has about the same clearance from the trans.....enough to get a screwdriver blade in there. I have no idea what kind of connection in under the inner boot. Is that something that could have become disconnected? Is one side the main power train, as in "one wheel" drive?

 

Is it possible that when I knocked in the driver's side axle that I knocked a trans gear out of place?

 

I feel like just crawling into a dark hole and rolling a big rock overtop. I really think I screwed up the trans.

 

OK, I've taken another look at things. It appears that boot may have been misshapen for a reason. I'm going to have to take it off because I think that's where my problem may be. Either I didn't get the ring to snap in place or something else broke. Of course it's the side with the bad threads. As long as it's not the trans, I'll be happy.

 

Pulled the boot back and sure enough, the spindle did come loose out of the cv joint. Now to see if I can get it back in without having to remove that axle nut.

 

Now you know if you had asked me if I put that CV joint together correctly the first time, I would have sworn up and down that I was 100% sure I did. Well I had to pull the axle nut which ended up not being a problem. Redid the CV joint again. Now the car goes into gear. Didn't drive it more than a foot or two, but it looks like everything is fine (knock on wood).


I guess I made every mistake you possibly can. I sure hope this thread helps others.


Scott

 

I think it's really cool that you are posting so much and letting us know the outcome. I hate it when people come here for help, and then we never hear from them again, so somebody else looking for help can not tell if what they tried worked or not. Good luck with your car.

 

Congrats glad all is well for you now.

Ditto on what Jim says as well.

 

Thanks Tech and Jim..... sorry to hear others don't follow up on their posts.

 

Glad I could help.

I bet Jim will say the same.

 

This was way over my head as far as being able to help. I know if I ever have this problem though I'm looking for this thread. Sure glad you are getting it fixed and before tech leaves for a few days.