Hi folks
Seeking some help as I'm running out of money and patience keeping my 05 going. It has 222k miles, lifted, etc.. Here are the series of issues I've had with my current issue I'm looking for help on at the bottom. Sorry it's long but it's a long story - I'm hoping the details will help someone help me.
1. Went offroading. Took a hit to the bottom but all was fine. However, the day after VSC lights and check engine came on. Brought it to mechanic
2. Mechanic said nothing seemed to be wrong from off roading, but determined it was air injector valve and air pump. These were replaced. This did not work to turn off VSC and check engine.
3. Mechanic said maybe it was the secondary air pump. Replaced this and it did not fix it. They had everyone there look at it and determined they could not fix it and told me to bring it to the dealership as they have better diagnostic tools.
4. Brought it to dealership. Their diagnostic tool showed nothing new and they wanted to pull it apart to check all the work of former mechanic. While it was there, someone broke into their lot with a flatbed truck and attempted to steal it. They did something to break the shifter to put it in neutral, but apparently couldn't get the tires to turn so either gave up or got scared off. (Anyone who wants a horrific dealership experience story, pm me). Obv is wouldn't go into gear so the dealership fixed it and said it was back to normal. It didn't feel normal, but I didn't know what else I could do at that point.
5. Decided I wasn't going to have the dealership do anything for me. Whenever VSC and check engine lights went on, where it went into limp mode, I reset the codes and it was working OK and was just waiting to save some money to bring to another mechanic.
6. Last week, it would not start, seemed like a battery/starter. Brought it to initial mechanic, they confirmed it was that and replaced both. Drove fine for about 10 miles.
7. Tonight, I drove it about 1/4 mile and it started acting funny. Didn't have any power and was kind of accelerating (barely) then not.
8. I parked it and noted the A/T Temp light and oil lights were on, as well as check engine. I thought it might be due to oil, but the dipstick looked fine. It starts just fine, but when I try to apply the gas pedal it just kind of wavers and won't drive, then shuts off.
I've put ~$3,500 into it over the last few months and trying to understand what this might be. Any suggestions on something I can try myself? It's parked about a mile from my house in a safe spot. The issue is that I'm a noob when it comes to mechanics on a vehicle.
Just looking for advice I suppose as well as any thoughts on what the issue might be -
particularly if it might be related to the recent battery/starter being replaced, or the attempt to steal it a while ago.
Really appreciate you reading this far if you did!
Thanks for any suggestions.... TNF