[erth64net]

Nearly a decade with a little car, and then this happens:

I was pulling a 4ft HarborFreight trailer in SLOW stop-and-go traffic, when an unlicensed/uninsured driver decided to test Pauli's Exclusion Principle with his 2000 Chevy Astro van.

The collision totalled my trailer. Only visible exterior damage to the car was a mangled (MDC) hitch, and a dented/scratched rear body panel. With no leaking fluids, and nothing obviously damaged inside the engine compartment, the body shop didn't have any immediate drivability concerns. This morning, with VERY light acceleration, the car began behaving like its in limp mode (without the console displaying anything unordinary, it took me at least a half-mile to reach 20MPH).

On the plus side, the trailer appears to have absorbed most of the impact. The trailer's passenger side light cover was found about 3 feet in front of my car, on the driver's side...boy he hit hard...

The unlicensed/uninsured driver tried to tell me that I should put reflectors or other more visible markings on the back of the car: he says he "...didn't see the trailer..." I wondering what his excuse would have been if I was a motorcyclist, or a small sports car.

Sigh...

I'm also looking for a good Portland Oregon area mechanic.

 

[FlossyTheSmart]

Since you say it was displaying nothing unordinary on the dash, I assume that means no CEL, despite the limp mode. I wouldn't be surprised if, when you get it hooked up to a star machine, you see the following code:

P2102 - Reversible fuel safety cutoff: Implausible value in the run-on time

or a similar code, related to the fuel safety cutoff (In your case, it probably wouldn't be an implausible value). Once you get that code cleared with a star machine, I suspect your limp mode will go away.

This is just a gut feeling though. The code I referenced is one I have seen on my car, but I suspect is related to thinking it was in a crash (Where in your case, you actually were).

 

[Sascha vB]

that's a dodge caravan, not a chevy astro.

glad you're ok, and if you're lucky maybe the damage is limited to maybe some connector coming lose?

 

[steveg]

You might want to pull your rear body panel off and check the crops member, the impact could have bent that and pushed it into something vital ...
Easy enough to do ..five screws ...
Let us know what you find. Hope for the best....
Steven

 

[ArthurRW]

Uninsured....unlicensed....blind to miss a trailer that tall.

 

[erth64net]

that's a dodge caravan, not a chevy astro.

glad you're ok, and if you're lucky maybe the damage is limited to maybe some connector coming lose?

That's odd...I just went off the cop's writeup when he cited the guy. Oy...

Being OK is relative, my Drs insist related injuries need more time to heal, and I can't work in the meantime... I am happy to at least be walking and talking though.

A new development: upon starting the car this afternoon the check engine light lit up. First time I've ever seen that light turn on...ever...crap.

I'm hoping its something simple, like a loose connector or clutch actuator, a damaged battery, or a benign code.

I hate handing over my car keys (last time I did so, a mechanic jackknifed my trailer). Until this collision, the car had been a dream to own, and I'd really prefer to repair it myself, but if I want insurance to cover things...its time for a mechanic...must...remain...calm :zen:

 

[erth64net]

You might want to pull your rear body panel off and check the crops member, the impact could have bent that and pushed it into something vital ...
Easy enough to do ..five screws ...
Let us know what you find. Hope for the best....
Steven

Good idea, although the rear body panel isn't coming off until the hitch can be bent back down. Body work starts once the new hitch arrives from Germany...which I imagine is 3-4 weeks out. Given the new troubles, I imagine it'll now sit in the shop for at least a month.

 

[SkippyThorson]

Uninsured....unlicensed....blind to miss a trailer that tall.

Yes, that's rich after seeing the pictures.

He didn't see it... Because he wasn't looking in the direction he was driving. :shrug:

That same person also wouldn't have seen a tree, a house or a group of kids. Scary.

 

[steveg]

if youre lucky the rear cross member got bent just enough to make contact with the probe at the turbo, or knocked the hose leading to it loose, depending on the severity .... it could have been MUCH worse...
if you have a garage look it over, make sure they KNOW how the rear panel comes off,, thats an expensive part by itself..

BTW in NY... if you drive without insurance, valid registration, or licence... you go to JAIL. and FINED heavily..
wish you luck.
steveg.

 

[erth64net]

if youre lucky the rear cross member got bent just enough to make contact with the probe at the turbo, or knocked the hose leading to it loose, depending on the severity .... it could have been MUCH worse...
if you have a garage look it over, make sure they KNOW how the rear panel comes off,, thats an expensive part by itself..

That's an excellent point. I'm passing your info off to the repair shop. Thanks!

BTW in NY... if you drive without insurance, valid registration, or licence... you go to JAIL. and FINED heavily..
wish you luck.
steveg.

It appears that in Oregon an unlicensed and/or uninsured driver can be cited ($220 fine) and then permitted to drive away :bangwall: :bangwall: :bangwall: