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September 26, 2006
Drive Me Crazy
Cars, cars, cars
My van is about to bite it. How do I know? First of all, it's a Ford and it has almost 100,000 miles on it. The minivan would be my third Ford and I am pretty sure that that's the limit for Fords. They're not meant to go past that kind of mileage.
Second, it's possessed.
No, I don't mean that I missed a payment and that somebody's knocking on the door trying to take it back. I mean that it's acting like there is some kind of spirit in there and, oh, by the way, the spirit isn't entirely happy.
It started with the sound system. One speaker would stop working and then suddenly come on again, but way louder than the other ones and then it would settle down and act normal for a while. If there is some sort of precipitating event that causes it to do this, I can't figure out what it is. Neither can Things One or Two. Cowboy just mutters stuff about the electrical system and doesn't even try.
Then, every once in a while, the interior lights would flash off and one a few times. Again, nothing in particular seems to cause it or to make it stop. Cowboy continues to mutter about the electrical system.
Now it also periodically decides that the passenger door is open when it is clearly and decidedly closed and sometimes won't allow one of the back slidey doors to open or sometimes it won't allow it to close. Sometimes it makes a really loud ticking noise inside the dashboard.
Have I mentioned that it behaves perfectly the second I take it to the auto mechanic? It makes me feel like that movie with Rex Harrison and Doris Day where Doris thinks someone is trying to kill her and everyone else thinks she's making it up.
I suppose I should just be grateful that it hasn't shoved me in front of a bus. Yet.
Posted by Eileen at 8:35 AM | Comments (7)
Comments
I dunno… my friend's Ford Explorer is on its third circuit around the odometer. It looks like crap. The doors don't work. Air conditioning? Ha! But it keeps on running.
She just got a new Hundai and is 'letting' the 17 yo take on the Explorer. She's figuring that the kid will need the good carma to start her driving history. And the fact that the Ford is so opposite to the Escalade that the kid wanted.
Posted by: hollygee at September 26, 2006 9:39 AM
Maybe it is trying to tell you something. Do you treat the car with respect? Wash the windshield? Make sure there is no trash under the seats? Empty Starbucks cups and candy wrappers? Maybe it just wants your love and attention.
Posted by: Eileen at September 26, 2006 11:47 AM
Ha! I actually just yesterday replaced the windshield wiper blades and a brake light. You almost have to wash your car every couple weeks here because it's so amazingly dusty.
Do you think it's maybe mad about all the times I've bounced it off other objects?
The LC Eileen
Posted by: Eileen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 26, 2006 12:10 PM
My Ford has about 170,000 miles on it. I would be happy with the issues you are having and be glad you are not having more serious issues! I unfortunately have a Taurus which is renowned for their transmissions failing. I had that rebuilt and other than that, the car runs well enough for me.
Seriously, that is wonderful that your car is only having those kinds of problems.
Posted by: Jo at September 26, 2006 4:41 PM
I have no advice about the car. At one time, in the distant (very distant now) past, I worked for a Ford dealership, doing customer satisfaction. At that point I vowed to never own a Ford. For the record, I love my Odyssey.
On an entirely unrelated note, I got an email today about the new Sony Reader that's coming out and decided to peruse titles at their ebook store. I was thrilled to find titles for the Reader by half of the LCs! Eileen, Beth, and Whitney all had titles available. Sadly, there was nothing for Alesia, Lani, and Michelle. Check yourselves out, ladies! http://ebooks.connect.com
Alesia, Lani, and Michelle, you need to see what you can do to get added! I'd buy everything in ebook even if I already have it in print!!
Posted by: Dia at September 26, 2006 8:18 PM
I have owned Fords in the past--and hated all of them! Had the Taurus wagon with the slipping transmission. Got rid of it. The there was the practically brand new Tempo that would just mysteriously shut down for no apparent reason, and it didn't matter what I was doing at the time.
I remember a particularly hot day (108* in the shade) and I was trying to get home on the freeway. Damn car just kept shutting off and I would have to coast to a stop and let it "rest" for 10 minutes or so and then off we would go again. Did I mention that it was 108* AND I was about 7 months pregnant?!! Yeah. Well, it finally wouldn't go again and I was still probably a good 3/4 of a mile from home. This was before cell phones were affordable, mind you. So I had to get out and walk the rest of the way. My DH happened to be home when I hit the door. I was shedding clothes as I walked down the hall and he is following me asking "Honey? What's wrong? Why is your face so red? And where the hell is the car?!!!" I turned the shower on cold and just stood under it for about 15 minutes before I answered him. "If I had a match and a gallon of gas, you would be able to see that $%^%*@# car from here!" was my reply!! We got rid of the car shortly after that... Ten years later I am listening to the radio and Ford has recalled that particular car because of it SHUTTING DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON!!!! Hello?!! Would have been nice if they had a clue back then!!
So Fords? SO not a fan!! And electrical problems? You are asking for a car fire! I say take that piece of $%^*@ and trade it in for something reliable and fun! Life's too short to drive crappy cars... Check out the new 4 door Wrangler that has ME drooling! *grin* www.Jeep.com--2007 Wrangler Unlimited. Seats five AND it's fully convertible! Try to do THAT with a minivan!! LOL!
Posted by: Sheri at September 27, 2006 4:51 PM
Dia, regarding e-books. I suspect that my publisher might have something up its sleeve...I'll keep you posted :-)
Cars: Hmm. One of the benefits of living in a city is that we don't really need one on a daily basis, so just hire one when the need does arise. I usually have to figure out how (with each rental) reverse works, or why the car won't lock, or why it keeps beeping that a door is open when a door definitely isn't open...
Wonder what type of car I'll get when I go to America, or what it's little foible will be...
Posted by: Michelle C at October 1, 2006 1:30 PM
