In 2023, I experienced an expensive mishap when a do-it-yourself project went wrong, but I gained some wisdom from the experience. The root of my costly problem can be traced back to 2020, particularly in the months leading up to the Covid pandemic. The fob for my main set of car keys started falling apart, but instead of seeking a solution, I switched to the spare set of keys. This temporary fix lasted two more years before the wear and tear caught up with me.

By October 2023, the key fob for the spare set was also failing. During the last car service in October, I requested a quote to replace both sets of key fobs. The quote came in at close to $650. I decided to think it over and return in the new year. Honestly, I found the quote to be excessive. Since I had previously been quoted a high cost for a repair that turned out to be a cheaper fix after consulting with my brother and receiving a recommendation for an alternative from Kmart Auto, I thought it would be wise to do my research. (For more on this previous episode, check out the blog I wrote for Kingdom Women Entrepreneurs here)

YouTube and Amazon came through for me once again. With next-day delivery, I quickly found the part I needed for just $12. However, when I tried to fix it, the rubber bit wouldn’t fit into the grooves. After struggling for about 2 hours, I looked for a replacement key. With next-day delivery, I found the exact key shell on Amazon for about $27.98. When the key fob cases arrived, I realised I needed more tools, including mini pliers. A trip to Bunnings was in order, but since it was out of my way, I went to Mitre 10 instead. There, I easily found the pliers and grabbed new batteries for the new keys, spending $33.98 in total. Back home with my supplies, I settled in with some tea and a YouTube tutorial to get to work.

These keys were much more intricate than anticipated, with small, delicate pieces requiring careful handling. I decided to work on one key at a time, just in case I made a mistake and needed a spare. After some tinkering, WhatsApp updates to trusted friends, and a few prayers for stubborn parts, it all finally came together. I went outside to test it, and voilà, I was back in action, beaming with pride at my success. I then started on the second key, which was just as challenging to disassemble. It required both hands, squeezing pliers, and using my full body, including activating my core muscles and even jumping around at one point to try and separate the key. Realizing I was too tired to continue, I decided to call it a night and planned to finish the project the following day. I woke up early the next day as I had to leave for an appointment.

With joy from the previous night’s success, I unlocked the car, put my bag in, and was ready to leave when the car wouldn’t start. You know the sound a car makes when it needs to be push-started? The “I’m sick – you’re gonna have to push start me sound a car makes”? My car made that sound; and I assumed it meant I had a flat battery. So, I found a mobile battery service, and within half an hour, someone arrived. They confirmed the battery was running out of juice, but the car wouldn’t start even after replacement. They advised calling a mobile mechanic.  After paying $309 for the battery service, I scheduled a mobile mechanic for the afternoon. Given the timing, just before Christmas, I understood the wait.

After 10 minutes of testing, the mechanic called me and said he had identified a key immobiliser issue. So began the line of questioning about the originality of the keys to the point where I now had to disclose the adventures of mechanic Eugenia. The look of amusement on this man’s face when I showed him the key I took apart was enough to tell me that apart from him failing to reconcile the person speaking and the messed up key, I was in trouble! He recommended a key reprogramming locksmith, which cost me an additional $150 for a call-out fee. I now had an appointment booked with the locksmith for the following day.

You may be wondering what the issue was. As it turns out, some car models have keys built with an anti-theft mechanism. When you dismantle the key, the car can still lock and unlock, but taking the key apart wipes the specific key’s memory from the car’s main system. A lack of communication between the key and the car system prevents the vehicle from starting. So, despite successfully reassembling the key and replacing the parts, I had effectively wiped out some crucial information without knowing. This detail was not mentioned in any YouTube tutorials, leading to my predicament.

I was both amused and impressed by this discovery but also annoyed by the additional labour and costs it incurred. After cutting new keys and reprogramming them, the car started as if nothing had ever happened. The total cost of my DIY efforts was $1082.96 plus $432.96. (I refuse to add these two figures together! My heart is still not strong enough to handle the figure! LOL) Eye-watering, considering the cost of taking the car to the professionals, would have been just under $650. It was a costly lesson and a financial wound I’m still nursing.

Reflecting on this misadventure, I’d like to share some “key” reflections from venting to God. My main grievance? God, didn’t you say in the Book of James to ask for wisdom, and you will receive it generously? Didn’t I pray about this and always seek wisdom? Dear reader, you’re allowed to laugh; we all have our moments, and this was my biggest qualm with the situation—but God, why?

After venting, I realised the following:

1. Lesson 1: Temporary fixes can be more costly in the long run! When something falls apart, seek a solution immediately. I should have attended to this at first sight of trouble in 2020.

2. Lesson 2: It’s better to ask questions, inquire, and gain understanding to make informed decisions. When I received the initial quote from the usual car mechanics, I didn’t ask or try to understand why the cost seemed excessive for what seemed like a simple fix. Asking questions and gaining understanding helps you determine when to stay in your lane and when to DIY.

3. Lesson 3: Let the experts do what they do best! I’ve always been fascinated by the story in the Bible about the woman who suffered from continuous bleeding for 12 years, as recounted in Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8. This story has deeply impacted me and taught me the importance of seeking help from the right experts. So I asked myself, what made this case of mine different?

As I thought about it, I heard, “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.” I had become her! I had been seeking solutions from specialists in different areas, but I hadn’t consulted the experts who understood the big picture and were the manufacturers of the car. This oversight led to higher costs and greater complications. The lesson I learned is that the experts who have a comprehensive understanding of the situation, along with the connections and knowledge to obtain parts at lower prices, can ultimately provide the best solutions.

4.Lesson 4: Just because many tutors and teachers are on YouTube doesn’t mean their guidance is always right for your situation! Your issue might be unique because the manufacturer enhanced a safety feature for your special edition product.

I’ve been mulling over these three key realisations so much that I couldn’t help but think that for the new year, one of my goals will be to ask more questions and seek clarity before making decisions. Apart from these lessons, I have gained a newfound appreciation for designers. The level of detail and complexity that makeup what appears to be a simple car key truly amazed me. Now, I can confidently say I understand why ‘curiosity killed the cat’- that’s because curiosity can be expensive!!!  Not to mention the time it consumes!

Now, on Easter Sunday, I found myself working on yet another task, this time, not related to cars! At the first sight of trouble, I paused, remembering my December experience, and turned to Google for advice. Although I found a solution, I abandoned the project upon noticing cracks in the object I was working on. I’m yet to report myself to my mum and had flashbacks from childhood! I joked to myself that although it was resurrection Sunday, had it been once upon a season, I too may have needed my own resurrection had I proceeded to break something.  “Wisdom has spoken,” I muttered, walking away from what was quickly turning into a crime scene.

5.Lesson 5: Know when to stop. If that’s a challenge, pray for the wisdom to recognise when to stop and draw your lines before venturing into troubled waters. You might be overcomplicating what is a simple matter based on your decision-making process and logic. There are even deeper layers to this point when you consider the spiritual aspects of life, but that’s a topic for another post or a talk!

Speaking of talks, I’ll soon share a fantastic opportunity to speak at the Inspiring Greatness Elevate Event I attended in March. Stay tuned for more details!

In the meantime, keen to hear from you, what DIY projects have gone wrong for you, and what lessons did you learn? Better yet, what has curiosity cost you in other dimensions of life, and could you share lessons you’ve learnt?