If you're looking to get cash for your "clunker," you might be out of luck.

The government "cash for clunkers" program encourages drivers to trade-in their vehicles that get 18 mpg or less, and buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles by offering up to a $4,500 rebate.

Government officials said the $1 billion program had essentially run out of cash and would be scrapped unless the U.S. Senate passed a measure this week adding an extra $2 billion to keep the program alive.

"I definitely want to be a part of it before it runs out," said Lanetha McSwaine, who came to Capital Ford in Raleigh on Sunday to take part in the program.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said any deal that was in the works as of Sunday would still count.

Dealerships are offering the rebate to customers at the time of purchase and are counting on being refunded by the government.

LaHood also said problems with dealerships not being able to enter their paperwork into a database would be fixed.

Dealerships said the program was helping them moving a lot of inventory.

"It kind of makes of feel like we're not in the recession actually, because of the volume of cars we're selling here," said Capital Ford General Sales Manager David Butler.

Butler said the dealership had taken in about 80 "clunkers."

Butler said as for continuing the program, he was hoping to get more information from the government on whether rebates offered this week will be reimbursed.

"Tomorrow is just a wait-and-see situation," he said. "Hopefully they'll continue and the Senate will pass the $2 billion additional monies for the program."

Other dealerships said they would continue honoring the rebates until government officials told them the program had ended.