Alright, let's sing together....
No....I finked out on a 2 hour trip to the Red Mill Car Show here in NJ
yesterday because, after 2 years of ownership and huge amounts of garage
learning, I realized i) the longest I had driven the car was only 40 miles
or so and ii) being able to do mechanics like replacing peripherals, ie.,
water pump, alternator,etc., is not auto mechanics per se (took 2 years to
learn that). I just didn't trust my 76. I didn't have papers from prior
owners...don't know what happened to this car in the past. I had done a
bunch to it without knowing if it was ok or not and the Car Show was close
to being in the boonies(at least NJ boonies).
So my rational mind said, go on a trip where I have the possibility of
contacting people if I break down. (Don't say it...coward...rational in the
same sentence as driving a 25 year old car??? Seems like a non-sequitor -
and being a bit of an antiquarian, I had no cell phone.)
Anyways, my SO and I decided on a long, civilized drive to her sister's,
about 85 miles away...a good test of the car ('76B, 52K miles). Great day,
great ride...no problems, happy as a submerged clam. Hit 75mph at 4100 rpm
(4-speed, no OD). Engine purred, SU's pumping away, sun shining, no
problems. Why??? I'd say luck of the Irish if I were, but I'm not and
neither was Morris Garages.
We arrived in a rather fine frame of mind, at least I did. Even my wife's
brother-in-law was impressed and he has owned at least 20 cars since I've
known him (his Porsch was fun to drive). We continued from there to the
shore and to their beach house. To make a long story short, when we left
it, I turned the key and
nothing...nothingnothing nothing. No buzzer, no door light, no radio, no
nothing.
I didn't let on the panic I felt because I'm supposed to know something
about this vehicle, but no...I really felt panic. And then, I took a deep
breath and opened the boot for my new tool kit (based on very recent
discussions on the list) and said, start at the beginning. Is the battery
good...the problem will probably be in the battery or in the starting
switch. I futilely wiggled the cables on the battery and then decided to
check the battery itself...no voltmeter in my kit but a long screwdriver so
I shorted it...nice spark.
Tried the key again and it started right up...voila...as Billy Crystal
would have said, "you looked marvelous." I actually looked to my SO and the
other couple (and a few spectators) like I knew something, but I knew the
truth. Try anything in order.
******Anyway, it led me to think, is there a document anywhere that has
been written in one of the clubs for roadside repairs:
IF THIS PROBLEM....try this in sequence.
******
I realized after the panic receeded that the lack of door light was a clear
signal as was the lack of a buzzer when I turned the key.
The ride home was uneventful, a total of 170 miles with only one more
mystery: why is that my left arm is sun-burned and my SO's right arm is
sunburned even though the top was down? Could it be the extra sunlight
reflecting from a highly polished surface?
Hmmm....
And certainly, next year for Red Mill
Regards,
Bill, now looking for the appropriate name to name MY '76B
(My 14' sailboat was named Ishmael, but I can't use that now.)
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