Oct 01 2013
Manic Monday
My week got off to a great start with my car not starting in the Safeway parking lot on a rainy Monday morning. I stopped off to pick up a few things on my way to the jobette, got in the car, turned the key, and heard a very discouraging noise.
Figuring that it was likely a user issue, I tried again a couple of more times with no result. Unsurprising, but not the results I was pointlessly hoping for.
I called Fernando, the mechanic who fixes Miss Scarlett when ministrations are needed which are beyond my brother’s many capabilities. He said he’d come by and see if he could start the car. Ironically, the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” was the last song on the radio when I turned the car off.
Fernando was unable to resurrect the car, but offered to drive me to the jobette and then call the tow truck for me. I handed over the keys to my car and got in his. As we hit the highway, we saw the tow truck. Fernando chased it down the road, honking and waving. The truck pulled over and agreed to pick up my car.
I realized how lucky I was that this happened in The Big Town instead of in San Francisco, where I am going tomorrow. I would have no idea what to do there, and it would probably cost a lot more to get the car up and running again.
It turned out to be the starter. It was the original, almost 20 year old starter, and the new one is warrantied for the life of the car. It was nearly $500 to fix it ($300 of it being the part and a further $70 for the tow, which the insurance company will reimburse), but I’m glad that my car keys aren’t just a collection of pretty, shiny objects today.
Wish me luck heading to the city tomorrow!
2 Responses to “Manic Monday”
Lucky to be in a small town as you say, and lucky the people near you are so eager to help when things go bad. For every bad thing that happens, there’s usually a good side, you were not in the big city when the car broke down, and the insurance will reimburse you the cost. I wish you a great trip tomorrow, keep well Suzy.
Catching up on your Blog! Whether it is about good news or not so good, your writing is Always excellent & interesting.
Sorry about the ignition, but glad it didn’t happen while you were away.
jx