So good ol’ Max had some rough times this month.
Starting about
a year ago my starter occasionally stops working. It only has happened a
handful of times since then, and because I’m a really poor student- I figure
that I’ll push it till the VERY end. During one of those instances- there were a
couple of safe and knowledgable looking guys near my car so I asked them if
they knew where my starter was located.
I definitely hit the jackpot because one of them knew exactly where it
was- he tapped on it…and max started right up. He then showed me right where it
was. Ever since then, whenever max won’t start, I know exactly where to tap in
order to get him started again.
Well this week…he threw some tantrums -nothing out of the
normal, it just so happened that it was at night- and the batteries in my
flashlight were out. (I’ve since replaced them). The evening started something
like this…I had just finished my 10 hour shift in the ED and was exhausted. My
visiting teachee had called and said I could come over, which is a BIG deal
(cause no one is ever home and no one EVER calls me back). So I visit taught
her and when I came out my car, Max wouldn’t turn over. It was dark outside, but
there happened to be a lamppost nearby, so I could see just fine. Anyway, I tapped the starter and I went on my
merry way.
Usually once it happens I’m good for a least the next month,
so I was EXTREMELY surprised that when I stopped at the gas station on my way
home and he didn't start AGAIN! It was about 9:30 at night and I have no idea
why everyone decided to get gas then, but there were cars lined up everywhere
to get gas. Of course, right! So I grumble to myself, pop the hood and it just
so happens that the way I’m parked blocks all the overhead lighting. So I can’t
see anything under the hood. UGH! I get my crowbar out and I start
tapping/hitting things in the general vicinity of the starter hoping that out of shear luck I'll hit it. Since my hood
doesn’t have one of those sticks to hold itself up and the suspension is out- I
have to hold up the hood myself. That usually means that I use one hand to hold the crowbar, one hand for balance and I use my head to prop the hood up (which is pretty heavy-fyi). Anyway, so I put the hood back down and try to
start the car- nada! So I do this several times and one of the cars in line
(for another pump) is a girl and she leans her head out and asks if I need
help. Thinking that I’m going to get it any second I tell her not to worry
about it.
After another few times- I started to get frustrated. It
has never taken me this long and the pressure is on, since there are all these
cars not only watching this crazy girl randomly banging under her hood, but
they’re waiting for me to move so they can get gas. Eventually some guy comes
over and asks if I need help. I asked if he knew where a starter would be. He
just gave me a blank stare- so I had him hold the hood. Finally the guy behind
me got out of his car and said- ‘oh, will your car not start?’ SERIOUSLY! You’ve
been watching me for the past 10 minutes repeatedly lifting my hood and I’m
still parked here after I’ve finished gassing up…It’s a pretty safe bet that my
car won’t start! Of course I keep my comments to myself and I smile and say –nope.
I forgave him because he had a flashlight that I could use.
Right after he gave me the flash light he followed me to the
front of the car, where the other nice gentleman was holding the hood up. They
both were looking pretty skeptical of me (holding a flashlight in one hand and a crowbar in
the other hand and me in my nice work clothes and scarf). I can almost guarantee
that they thought I was crazy, so it was especially vindicating that I spotted
the starter right away and tapped it and vuala –Max started. They literally
both just stared at me for a while and shook their heads in unison and one of
them said-‘I didn’t know you could do that.’
I felt like the ultimate man, but woman! I just wanted to
flex and do that manly growling thing-ya know? I didn’t of course, cause that
would have been REALLY embarrassing.
Since then he’s been great and we haven’t had any problems. Max I still love you! I'm just so grateful to have a functional car!
