1st Mechanic: VW Joe, Severna Park, MD

STARTING PROBLEMS,

BATTERY TERMINAL REPLACEMENT,

ODOMETER FIXED

I didn't write things down, but about a few days later, she wouldn't start without a jump from the jump-starter. I started her a few times with the jump-starter. I decided to bring her to VW Joe, Severna Park, MD. I found him on TheSamba.com, here. Other websites where I shopped for Vanagon mechanics are here: 1 2 or 3. Patience started for him fine, three days in a row. He really didn't try to diagnose the problem since the problem wasn't presenting itself, as a lot of time can be wasted in trying to do so. He did mention the sketchy wiring that Dr. Dave in Asheville had showed me, and offered to replace the terminal for $80. I said sure. I also asked him to fix the odometer, and he said $200, and I said sure. I decided to have this be the only work he does on it, because I didn't like him too much. I liked him better in person than on the phone, but he was still expensive & I still wasn't crazy about him.. Felt I didn't truly trust that he cared about Patience. That may be sensitive, but I went with my gut..

Odometer: A new bit was broken, which he replaced. Then there was a gear that had been super-glued back together in a previous repair under Emily's ownership, and came apart when he was working. He glued it back together.
NEWS! May 1st: I notice the odometer is going too fast! Estimate: It moves about 10 miles for 1 actual mile. I need to bring it back to VW Joe. *sigh*. In the meantime, the odometer is catching up to its actual mileage.