Hi,
I don’t even know where to begin really. My husband passed away in April, and we have a souped up 99 Camaro. It was his baby, and now sits in my driveway. I don’t have any idea where to begin…. So that’s why I signed in here because I know he use to use this forum – I tried to use the local to my area forum but they are taking too long to authenticate me.

I’m keeping the car and will be getting it back up to snuff. Thing is, I’m starting from scratch.. I’ve paid attention to things in the garage and know my way around.. but still, I don’t want to mess anything up, so I may be posting here with “newbie” questions more than you like. Please be patient with me, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do…

I need to move the car to start cleaning out the garage to move (brutally painful and brutally personal to me) and it won’t start. I’m not a whiner by any means but I just stood there and cried hugging the jumper cables. This is so hard for me.

I know I know.. ask someone to help, but I really don’t want my neighbors touching the car cause they know less than I do. Because of all the mods I don’t want to mess up in charging it to move it. We, well I have a plug in quick charger thingy and I’m googling how to connect it and all (no mocking please)..I know how to jump a car - car to car, and verifying it's the same. I just want to ask if there is anything I should be aware of because I don’t want to break anything.

So I’m sorry for the emotion and being ballsy in just putting this out there. I know he’s grinning his *** off from up above while I figure this out, but I also want him to be proud of me for doing it, so any insight you guys can give me will be greatly, immensely appreciated.

Spot

 

First of all, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss

This must be a very hard time for, I can only imagine. But I am sure you are right, he is looking down with a grin on his face watching you try and get the car started.

The fact that the car is modded will not change anything when it comes to jumping the car. Just remember that red is positive (+) and black is negative (-). It may not be color coded on the battery, but the cables will be, and the battery will be labeled + and -. What you are looking to do will be basically the same procedure as jumping the car, so no worries there.

Do not worry about asking questions, there are plenty of people here willing to help. Depending on where you are located you may even be able to find someone nice enough to give you a hand.

Do you happen to know his username on this forum?

Good luck with the car, and dealing with everything else you are going through right now.

 

Thanks.. it's been a journey for sure... and thank you for your kindness.

OH I can guarantee you he's sitting in a lawn chair with a cold beer watching with interest.. and repeatedly telling me to not scratch the paint

So I got the battery charging and hopefully even have it grounded right. I'm so glad no one is watching me or can hear me.. as I do something, read the instructions, do it again, cuss, do it again... they'd have me committed. I figure when this is all said and done I'll be able to give even the best mechanic a run for his money. That's the goal at least.

Spot

 

Welcome to the site and I wish the circumstances were different. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I know the various technical stuff won't make much sense at first but if you stay with it many of the common terms will become familiar.

 

Well, charging the battery didn't work. This whole thing just sucks.

 

Does it try to crank or does it not do anything?

 

How long has the car been sitting? What did it sound like when you tried to start it? May just need a new battery.

 

It does nothing, and it has a new battery.

You guys are awesome - I posted in the regional section for suggestions on a shop.. he had a group do all of our work and I couldn't remember the guys name or the name of the shop to save my life. Got a ping though that jolted my memory... found the car file and sure enough his name/number was all over it.

They are on their way over now to help me out (talk about service - but they knew my husband well) and get me squared away.

But seriously.. I can't tell you how much I appreciate how fast you all are.. it will come in handy when I start posting, "what's this and what's it do" pictures.

 

Uh wow.. so I know I'm giving a play by play of my day.. but I just did one of the hardest things ever was to hear that car start... it's sweet baby, and one of the best sounding cars I've come across. I wish I could do it justice and articulate what's been done to this car, but I can't.... but hearing it roar to life just about brought me to my knees...

I love car people and their sincerity... and now I know it's safe until I move. Believe me when I say there are still really good and really kind people out there.

 

Thank you for the update. This is one of those days when some good news is especially nice to hear.

 

Glad to hear someone is out there close to help you out.

Trust me we all know the feeling of hearing a car fire up for the "first time". Im sure it felt 10x better for you

 

Welcome to the site. Sorry for your loss. And happy that you got some good help to get it running.