11/16/2020 - My car and I are in sync

When I finally dragged myself out of bed, early this morning, I didn't know which to get help for first - my car or my body. It turned out that neither the dealership nor my primary care physician's office opened for business until 9am. (As that had not previously been the hours, I think it must be the COVID-19 hours.) At 8:59am, I dialed the dealership, explaining that when I tried to drive my car on Saturday (14th), it had been dead. As in a doornail. I did not mention my own diagnosis of my car's trouble - except to Hunky Husband. My diagnosis was a malfunction of the micro-computer that monitors the status of the trunk lid, turning off the trunk light after a few minutes when I leave it open. I normally leave the trunk open for 2-7 days every week or two, to let possible coronaviruses disassemble before I bring non-perishable groceries into the house.

It turned out that the dealership doesn't deal with tow services (which I should have remembered from having gone through this back in June), so I called Lincoln's Roadside Service number. They would send a guy with a jump-starter.

In the meantime, I called the physician's office and left a voicemail for Dr Alvarado's nurse - that I thought that I have an infection and I didn't really want to come to the office due to COVID-19 concerns. Since a fall time infection in one or another part of my body has become nearly routine for me for the past six years, I thought there was a chance that they would give me my usual prescription. Surely enough, an hour or so later, I picked up a voicemail telling me that my prescription was at my preferred drug store awaiting pickup. Nice!

At about that time, the car jump starting guy arrived and my car did start. "Let it idle for 20 minutes and you should be good to go." said he. Of course, he did not know the history of my car, so I didn't blame him; but, I did leave the car idling, grabbed HH to follow me in his car, and proceeded to the dealership . I turned off the car at the dealership (about 30 minutes after the car had been started). Bad move. Karen (one of the service writers) had to jump start the car to get it into the service garage. Tanner (the service writer who normally helps me) knew the history, but I did not entertain him with my diagnosis.

Tanner called about 30 minutes ago to tell me the good news and the bad news. The good news was that the problem was isolated to the RGTM module. ("NHTSA ID Number: 10140313. Manufacturer Communication Number: SSM 46998 Summary. Some [Lincoln cars] may exhibit a no crank condition due to a discharged battery from the Rear Gate Trunk Module (RGTM) keeping the vehicle network awake. This may occur after the vehicle has experienced other liftgate related concerns such as bounce back or latching issues.") Tanner said it was not a remove/replace issue - they could reprogram the module. Do it!

The bad news was that the battery would need to be replaced. But...even then...the news wasn't all bad. When the local, independent car shop had replaced the battery last June, I had been told that I could not have a 48-month battery. (I don't recall, but I think the battery they installed was only a 24-month one.) The dealership's battery is a 72-month battery and it will have a pro-rated warranty after that point. All good! I will pick up the car, tomorrow.

Comments

[bogie]

I would not call shutting down the car at the dealership a bad move - it actually exhibited the symptom and keeps them from telling you it's your fault for leaving the headlight on or some other cockamamie thing.

[Cop Car]

I understand where you're coming from, Bogie, and that might be a consideration at some places and some times. I was thinking more in terms of my having caused Karen one extra trip to jump start the car. It would have been less work for her had she been able to drive the car into the service bay and have it not start during testing, there.

BTW: The whole problem was surely of my own doing. About a year ago, I packed the trunk with stuff to take to Goodwill. The trunk lid didn't want to close and I forced it. For some days thereafter, the trunk lid would not automatically close when I pressed the button inside the car or on the key fob; but, it eventually started working OK. I forgot about it. Then, came COVID-19 and I started leaving the trunk lid open for days at a time.

The dealership didn't try to lay a guilt trip on me - didn't explain the situation described in the penultimate paragraph of my posting ("This may occur after the vehicle has experienced other liftgate related concerns....") since Tanner wasn't there when I picked up my car. I found that explanation online when I got home with the car.

[Joared]

I had some recent issues with a dead battery. My first go ‘round I had them replace the old battery as it was way past its lifespan. The next t time revealed somehow a light had accidentally been bumped on and had been running down the battery. Glad your issues were resolved.

[Ole Phat Stu]

And this is why I love my oldtimer Porsche . . .
None of the modern unreliable electronic firlefanz crap.
Everything manual, stick shift etc, even the windows.
It doesn't even have power steering.

Just . Pure . Car :-)

[Cop Car]

Joared--I don't know the age of your vehicle; but, modern cars should not suffer from having a light left on. Lights and other current-drawers should automatically turn off after a few minutes in a modern car. HH kept telling me that my trunk lid was open and I kept telling him, "I know" because I depend upon the automatic feature 'way too much. Note, however, that had I not forced the trunk, I would probably have been in good shape. I'm happy that you came out of your situation, too.

Stu--Yes, I loved my 1982 Mazda 626 for that same reason - power nothing. The one frill that I would have liked would have been cruise control. I bought the car in Florida, then moved to Albuquerque - a far piece. At a later date, I drove it to California and kept it at my apartment there for nearly a year (keeping my 1972 Buick in ABQ). I put the mileage on the 626 - then Dudette and Wonderful GrandDaughter put at least 100,000 more miles on it.