When we got back I broke out the user manual and tried to figure out how to check the transmission fluid. No instructions. I guess they figure that if you own a BMW you're not going to bother doing that kind of thing yourself. I did however read that there is an indicator light that comes on anytime that the transmission fails. I was certain that I didn't get any indicator lights during the earlier incident, so I decided to risk it and drive it home, take it to the mechanic early this morning.
Initially it seemed like the plan was solid, I was almost home when the lurching started again. At least this time I had the presence of mind to look at my little dials and ascertain that the rpm's decreased with each lurch. I don't really know, but it seems to me like the opposite would happen if the transmission was failing. Regardless, the car only lurched a few times and then it wasn't doing anything. The engine just died and I was stranded. As usual I hadn't bothered to charge my phone battery the night before so it appeared that I had enough battery to place one, maybe two calls. I opted for Meredith. She had been barfing all the way home and had sent Jake out for supplies so he was rerouted my direction, and a while later he arrived with a charged phone so I could begin making arrangements to have it towed. I felt quite disturbed watching my little car get hauled off on a tow truck. To be honest I felt like crying, but I knew it would make Jake feel awkward, and I have not yet forgotten the way I was stared at the last time I cried in front of a tow truck person.
Anyhow, Jake was a very good sport about dragging me around after the tow truck to drop off my key with a note at the mechanic, and then even broke the Sabbath to buy me dinner since my roommate has already moved and taken the fridge with her. Nothing quite like coming home to an empty house, no food, and no transportation to leave to purchase food. I'm supposed to be moving tomorrow, so really this whole car issue could not have come at a more inconvenient time. Still, it is what it is, so I just have to deal with it and move along. Today while packing I subsisted primarily off of the leftover road trip food until I couldn't take it anymore and called my visiting teacher to beg her to come get me and go to dinner. Ordinarily I do most of my moving myself, and just call men to come help me with the bed and books, but without a car it's obvious that I'm going to need a lot more help than usual. Haws is helping with his truck, and I've managed to commit enough men to load and unload that I think it will still be quick and painless. I've decided that maybe this unfortunate little incident has happened to teach me to ask for help. I hate asking people to help me, but in this situation I don't have much of a choice.
The mechanic called today, the fuel pump needs replaced. That sounds minor, or at least a lot less serious than a transmission. He has to order in the part, so someday my car and I will be reunited, but for now I've been temporarily immobilized.
2 comments:
Sorry to hear of your car problems. As someone who knows about car problems I can totally relate. And there is no feeling like not having a car around and being stranded at home for sometimes days. You and John are so much a like. He hates and I mean hates to ask others for help. That was one good thing about living in Cali. he was forced to ask for help on several occasions since we didn't have family around and I think it was really good for him. But now we live back in Utah he doesn't so much. But honestly if I were to have two extremes I would rather have the one where you try to do everything yourself. There are too many people in this world who do nothing for themselves and expect others to do it for them and lots of times don't even help you while you are helping them.
at least in a car you can pull over. if this happens while flying an aircraft it is way harder to deal with.... hope it gets fixed fast and as inexpensively as possible....
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