March 6, 2005
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Big Blue is Sick and Thank God For CAA
Those who know me know I do not deal well with car problems.
Well today I had a doozy!! I was merrily driving along the 401 in the express lanes just approaching the Don Valley Parkway when I started losing power. I had noticed earlier that my gas gauge was reading full. I knew it wasn't full, but didn't think it was empty. Usually at 15 litres or less a big red sign comes on and an annoying bell rings. This hadn't happened.
I pulled over to the side and put on my flashers. My cel phone battery was low but luckily I had bought the old hound and myself car chargers at Christmastime. I called CAA and waited. Cars and trucks were whizzing by at alarming, bone shaking speeds. It was dark and cold and I felt mighty low. An odd point - the CAA operator asked me what kind of car I had and what year. I wondered why. I didn't think it was to help spot me. I'm the car pulled over in the express lanes with my flashers on. I'm the ONLY car pulled over in the express lanes with my flashers on.
I was very embarrassed to think that I had run out of gas! I am always very cautious and keep my car at least half full at all times.
When CAA arrived the gentleman put eight dollars worth of gas in my car and wisely suggested I try and start it while he was still there to make sure that was the problem. Sure enough, my car wouldn't start! I felt like a fool when he asked what side my battery was on. I hadn't the faintest idea! (it is on the right). He had pulled in behind me in a big truck so it was a stretch, but the cords just made it. After he attached them I tried to start Big Blue again. It started, but something was not right. Everything kept dimming and brightning. My gauges (they are all electronic) were still not reading right. The engine didn't sound like it usually did.
The CAA man suggested I go to the 24 hour Esso station on Lawrence, just east of the parkway. When I turned the engine off to gas up, I prayed it would start again. I am ashamed to admit (well, no I'm not ashamed at all!) that I don't usually put my gas in. I use a full service Esso, so it took me a while to figure out the whole procedure, including the fact that you have to pay in advance. I put twenty dollars worth in and then had to figure out where to go from there.
If I went home and parked in the garage I would be sunk if it wouldn't start. When I had my old sunbird and the clutch went, CAA couldn't fit their tow truck down into the underground. I got that car out just far enough by sheer force of will. I decided to drive it to my dealer and leave it there. I parked it, left a note on the dash saying I would call on Monday and called a cab. Twenty more dollars later I am home, safe and sound. Tired and weary, but okay. It could have been much, much worse.
I am not sure what is wrong with Big Blue, but I am very glad that I purchased the extended warrenty when I bought him. The expense of car repairs is not something I need right now. The timing of all this is not great however. I was supposed to go and get my taxes done tomorrow in Richmond Hill by a fellow recommended by Rhonda. (thanks for giving me his number!
) I will call him tomorrow and arrange another time.
There is so much on my mind right now I feel like my head is going to explode. Literally explode. The chaos that once was my apartment surrounding me doesn't help. When I finally do get moved into this house I am going to need a good long vacation. Unfortunately I'm going to use all my vacation days getting moved!! C'est la vie!!
Comments (2)
misslill - the EXACT SAME THING happened to us with our (late) Reliant. We'd be driving along and all of a sudden, the car would lose power, gauges and lights would slowly fade, and the car would die. Scary when you don't know what's going on and your car has power steering! We found out the problem was with the carburator. Mike says it could it could also be a problem with the fuel pump or filter, air filter, or something as simple as the car just needing a tune-up. Thank God you had your phone. Yes, passing cars can be frightfully fast (I know, I've been that situation a few times). Imagine how road construction workers feel - I'd hate to have that job!!!This is just one of life's tests, and I think you're handling it just fine. It would take something a lot bigger than this to get misslill down. Lucky for you, you don't live too far from work. By-the-way, busfare is $2.25. Good luck and hope your car trouble isn't too expensive!
The old hound was a sweetie and drove me to the dealership this morning and then back to my apartment. They will keep it overnight, try to find the problem, and he will take me to pick it up hopefully tomorrow. I am going to look at this as an opportunity to do some much needed walking. It will help clear the cobwebs from my mind and get me moving again. I love walking in the rain, it is great therapy and today is nice and mild. I'll see how far I get and then bus it from there.We'll see about how active I feel tonight at midnite after work!! I may just chose a taxi!
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