New Truck!!! What to do with my old clunker?

**ramazank2** · 03-25-2006, 10:19 PM

Went out an bought a new 2006 Rav4 limited. It is really nice. But the question is what to do with my 1995 Chevy blazer? My fuel pump went out for the third time. The first time it went out I took it to a small shop. They fixed it and about a year later it went out again. So I took it to the dealer and again they replaced my fuel pump, but this time I got a 12 mo/12,000mi warranty. So last week (10 mo/12180mi) my fuel pump went out again.... So I took it the dealer and they said it is out of warranty but let us check it out and we will see what we can do. They determined that the sending unit is frying my fuel pumps. And they want $1000 to repair it, and they are saying that since the sending unit fried the pump it is not covered under warranty!!!!! So now I can fix my truck for $1000 or they will charge me $300 to give it to me with a dropped fuel tank. My truck is a salvage title vehicle so not worth much maybe 2-2.5k if I can find a buyer. What should I do? I want to tell them that they should have caught it the first time and they should refund my money from the previous fuel pump repair, which would drop the repair bill to ~$400. Well we will se what happens when they open monday morning.

**Daedalus** · 03-25-2006, 11:22 PM

Congrats on the Rav4, they're very nice.
You can make a case for the controller, but the dealership is not liable for figuring out the controller was bad 10 months ago. It was healthy enough for the pump to make it through the warranty period (albeit by 180 miles) and it may have been fine 10 months ago. The burden of proof falls on you. If they agree to it, realize it is goodwill on their part. Usually goodwill budget is reserved for newer vehicles or owners who have a purchase history with the dealership. Shoot high, but be willing to compromise if it suits you. Maybe ask for the parts at their cost, or knock a flat $xxx or y hours off the bill.
Usually it's the pump that kills the controller first. The pump draws more and more current as it ages/wears, and this burns out the board components. Look for tell-tale signs--burns marks, discoloration, melted connectors, oozing capacitors. I've had a board where the solder repeatedly melted from the heat and re-solidfied, causing intermittent pump failures. All it needed was a thorough re-soldering and it was fine. Better than paying $500 for the part. If you have the time you might be able to fix it yourself, or it may still work well enough to just replace the pump and sell the vehicle. Caveat emptor.
No matter what, it's probably worth $700 above your current sunk costs to have the truck fixed. You won't have to have it towed, you won't have to install the tank on your own, and it'll probably fetch at least that much more when you sell it. If you're handy, do it yourself. Depends on how much the parts cost and how much your time is worth.

**ShawnLee** · 03-26-2006, 12:53 AM

I'll take it off your hands for free! Haha.

**Bires** · 03-26-2006, 06:57 AM

Donate to charity for a tax write-off.

**kimchicowboy** · 03-26-2006, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Bires

Donate to charity for a tax write-off.

**ramazank2** · 03-26-2006, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bires

Donate to charity for a tax write-off.

Has anyone done this recently? I have been told two things. The first I have been told is that you can write off high bluebook. The second is that you only get 100% of what the charity sells it for. If I can write off hig bluebook it is worth it. If I can write what they sell it for, Id rather sell it myself.

**Daedalus** · 03-26-2006, 12:19 PM

The charity is required to send you the sale value if it sells for more than $500. If it sells for less, you make up your own FMV, but of course it can't be more than $500.