October 24, 2019. $135, $500, $1200 to $2150.

 

October 24, 2019.  $135, $500, $1200 to $2150.   It snowed last night.  The volume was far less than the 3-5 inches predicted.  The ground was warm, so a lot of it melted as it hit the ground.  We may have had two inches, total.  It was pretty as it fell and it coated the yard and outside furniture in white.

September 16, I was driving in to work when a taxi veered into my lane and sideswiped the passenger side of my car near the rear wheel.  It could have been much worse had I not been such an "excellent driver."  I honked and swerved but was unable to avoid being struck.  We were traveling at 65 mph.  I very nearly hit the cable just off the left four-foot shoulder as I swerved to avoid the collision.  The collision resulted in the paint being scratched in front of my passenger side rear wheel.  But, the main impact was on the wheel, breaking off pieces of the rim.  I reported the collision then drove to Bella Vista and to Colorado.

Four days ago, the VSA warning light came on my dash.  We were able to get the car into Airport Automotive where a diagnostic test was run for $135.  They discovered that the battery cable was corroded and disintegrating.  That will cause a fault which sets off a number of error codes and warnings.  Additionally, the break and transmission fluids were dirty and required flushing and replacement.  All of this I approved.  The hood supports weren't working, the rear tires were out of alignment and the rear window washer was out of order.  The cost of repairs climbed to $500 and then to $1200.  All of this because the Vehicle Stabilization Assist warning light came on.

The above work took place over two days while we drove a loaner car.  Late yesterday we went to pick up our car and were told that the rear wheels could not be aligned.  There were five different points that would not adjust into alignment.  The certified master mechanic was able to correct three, but the control arm had been damaged in the collision and would not allow realignment of all points.  However, the VSA warning light was off and I drove off expecting to have further repairs made when we arrived back home.  

As we left the repair shop, it was snowing pretty hard and visibility was poor.  It was rush hour and traffic was heavy.  When I saw a gap in the traffic, I pulled out quickly and merged into the flow.  I heard a ping, looked at the dash board and the VSA warning light was on.  Two days, $1200 and the problem I had paid to fix was not fixed.  So, I turned around and returned to the shop.  We exchanged our car for another loaner and restarted for home.  As I merged into the heavy traffic, I looked down at the dash of the loaner car and the engine warning light was illuminated.  I am cursed.  

It turns out that the control arm on the passenger side rear wheel needs to be replaced.  Today, I authorized that work at an additional cost of $950 bringing the total to $2150.  I hope that fixes the problem.  The repairs should be finished this afternoon.  We'll see.  

If all goes well, we will drive the 600 miles home tomorrow.  If it doesn't, we will drive home anyway and deal with the problem on our home turf.  It has been an exciting, not to mention costly, finish to a relaxing trip.  At the moment we have no plans for a January trip.  I expect there will be one, probably to some place warm.  And, probably in a different car. 

That is a wrap for this trip.  Thanks for stopping by to read about the Farkleys, on the road.  I will be back in January, I think.  

Goodnight.