Day 2011 All fired up

14th February 2023

It was Valentine’s Day and Kelli got me a very apt present. We had to drive to an address a few streets across to collect a dresser.

Kelli started the truck and immediately there was something wrong, there was a misfire.

We made our way to pick up the piece sounding like a London taxi.

Once we were back home, we checked with Larry to see if he fit enough to take a look at it.

He was happy to check it over, so I it drove over.

Within minutes the bonnet and spark plug cover was off and the faulty plug identified.

Now in this vehicle each plug has it’s own HT coil module, and one of those had failed.

All I had to do would be to drive to the nearest auto parts store and buy a replacement.

So off I drove, on three cylinders to the closest store.

The lady behind the counter knew what the part was, and after checking the correct unit for the vehicle, I handed over a hundred notes, and I was set.

Next what happened was a nightmare that I had feared ever since I have lived in the US.

I left the store, still on three cylinders I headed to the first set of traffic lights and a major intersection when the engine died.

Panic took over, there was traffic building up behind, I was scared that a frustrated motorist would shoot me for delaying them.

I found the hazard warning switch, so at least I could avoid looking like a real saddo.

I didn’t have my phone so I was on my own.

Then a young chap pulled up behind and offered some help.

I explained what had happened, and the part I had just bought, hoping that it would ‘spark’ an idea. I suggested that I fit the part in a desperate attempt to fix my problem, that is what I did.

I turned the key, my bottom puckered, the engine burst into life, and firing on all cylinders.

I thanked the chap for his moral support and headed home, my bottom unpuckered.

I drove straight to Larry’s to refit the bolts that fix the coil and the plastic cover, that done the job was finished, and I could get back to furniture.