Cop Car's Beat

Virgin Hyperloop

More than you ever cared to know about the Hyperloop: Although these videos are, seemingly, ads, I hasten to inform you that I am related to neither Elon Musk nor Richard Branson and have no financial stake in their projects.

 

 

 

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.