Today the girls, my mom and I headed to the city for my eye exam. It's time for me to admit that I need glasses. Real glasses, all the time. On the way home I suffered a vehicular crisis... Calling on my vast knowledge of, and experience in mechanics (ahem), I quickly diagnosed the problem as I pulled to the side of the road. The transmission. Yes, I had experienced this once before as a passenger which is almost the same as being the driver (at least it's closer than a backseat driver). I engaged my emergency blinkers and we glugged and crawled the next 3 miles to my mother's house. I white knuckled and gasped as my passengers sent up prayers (the out loud kind, none of those silent types for this kind of situation) as we scaled mount horror just before turning onto her street. Once inside, I made the dreaded hubby call. He would be off work in 45 minutes and then come up driving the workhorse. I in turn would take that wheel and follow him and the girls home. We decided not to dawdle but to leave right away because we didn't want to be caught in the dark if he didn't make it. I was prepared to putt along behind him with my emergency's flashing.
Does anyone have a law that explains why once you get to the doctor's office, your symptoms disappear? Because as soon as hubby was behind the wheel the van bolted... I followed at a distance because I couldn't seem to keep up with him!
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| that's him up ahead, and I was doing 55... I WAS |
So, the good news is we didn't get stuck in the dark. And we probably don't have to purchase a new van. A new transmission was not even an option as we have friends who have the same van and are needing to replace theirs for the second time. Not going there. Planned obsolescence you know.
The bad news is that as optimistic as the drive home seemed from a distance, hubby says that it definitely does need trany work. On one hand this is disappointing. On the other hand I find minimal satisfaction in having diagnosed the problem! ;)
Blessings, Debbie
Had the same problem with my Jeep. Being the knowledgable mechanic that I am, I would say to change the transmission filter [didn't know there was one until mine was changed] and fluid, it worked for me and saved a lot of money I didn't have. Yeah, with all of our knowledge we could start our own mechanic shop...DT's Mechanic Shop?! So glad you made it home save Debbie. Glasses?..I went to bifocals this past fall...What a ego buster!
ReplyDeleteWell, you certainly saw some lovely sights...AND made it home w/o a tow, right? We have two older cars between us here. (No workhorses.) So there's always "something". I, too, have become quite proficient in diagnosing various automotive malfunctions - much to the annoyance of my husband...
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it home ok, car trouble is no fun!
ReplyDeleteCar problems stink. And it seems like whenever I have them it is 100 degrees outside.
ReplyDeleteDon't know which is better; being so smart about cars to diagnose the problem, or not having to deal with a mechanic (for now)!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you called the problem! I have glasses that I "need", but I keep putting off wearing them regularly. The only reason being I will have to keep track of them...oh, wait, they will be on my face! Better come up with new reason.
ReplyDeleteCars can also be rather temperamental, too. Glad it all worked out, and yes, they certainly don't make them like they used to. xo,
ReplyDeleteSince we drive our cars around here until they are at least 250,000 miles I have learned a lot about cars...and I have boys. I can diagnose it most of the time...hubby, the creative type, doesn't have a clue! God gave me that knowledge to help my boys learn how. They laugh as I get out there and tell them what is wrong and start pointing at it...I think God makes me look smart...LOL
ReplyDeleteOh I need those glasses also...I keep seeing you say something and I keep cringing...oh my, I need to give in.
Glad you van got you home, glad hubby knows what to do...and may it drive for miles and miles more!
Smart lady you are! I just hate car trouble! Hope it's not too bad. :D
ReplyDeleteWe drive older cars too and have had our share of transmission issues. Still beats buying a new car and making those huge payments every month.
ReplyDeleteYou live in a beautiful area!
I hope your car repairs are on the "cheaper" side!............Denise
Gosh. At least you could get to your mom's house (and back)! Nothing worse than being stuck out in the middle of no where waiting for help. Good for you at diagnosing it! It is rather satisfying, hehe. :)
ReplyDeleteGlasses...hmm, does that mean that I finally have to go and get mine too? But wait, I don't want to brake down on my way back from the eye exam, I'll wait until we have money for a new car...ya, that's it, I'll get glasses then. hahaha!
ReplyDeleteI say that you really did make a good diagnosis of the car problem and that the prayers that you all said out loud might have gone something like this.."Lord, please get us home safe and you can fix the car so we get it home without having to call a tow and ..." So, credit to you, the prayer warriors and The Lord. xo
Well at least the day was beautiful. I hate care trouble and at least you will have real glasses. I need to go do that too.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you guys made it all home safe.
It happens to me too! When I drive --- something "breaks" --- and when hubby comes along to check it out --- it drives like a charm!
ReplyDeletetransmission issues - grr - sorry -- just think of it this way -- your car did not start a fire Christmas eve and could not buy gift for your kids - wink! Yes, that happed to us -- and many other issue with cars.. grr! wink - but all is well and you are safe - bummer having to deal-out $$$
ReplyDeleteNot a good sign when the blog starts out with a picture of car engine or transmission. Hope it can be resolved inexpensively Glad you guys made it safely home. Oh and the glasses thing, I had to give in on that one years ago.
ReplyDeleteBummer. I hate car troubles! Glad you made it to a safe place and then safely home. blessings ~ Tanna
ReplyDelete"I white knuckled and gasped as my passengers sent up prayers. The out loud kind."
ReplyDeleteAnd I have white knuckles just reading about this experience! After being stuck from behind in an accident three years ago, this sounds like a nightmare.
Praise the Lord for keeping you safe!
Hi Debbie, So glad you made it home....something similar happened to us when we were out last week and we prayed all the way home , thank the lord we made it home, but it died when we parked it. LOL
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day.