As the early February snowstorm passed, we decided to stay another day to let the roads thaw "just a bit more". Especially let US 84 between Chama and Pagosa Springs thaw just that little more! So, Wednesday morning, February 4 found us in a flurry of activity getting ready to leave with thoughts of skiing at Wolf Creek running through our heads and discussions!
Last minute details delayed us until a noon departure. We turned right out on Cerrillos Avenue and headed to the Santa Fe by-pass NM599. About half way around Santa Fe . . . the truck started shifting up and down the gears, the dreaded red wrench light appeared, and the truck went into "limp home" mode! I have to admit, a little panic hit me . . . followed by relief. Why was the truck acting up again? And thankful that it started acting up while still within the Santa Fe city limits and not out on the road between Espanola and Pagosa Springs!
Maureen called the campground in Pagosa Springs and cancelled our reservations. And as I turned around at an intersection, Maureen called Trailer Ranch and asked for our camping spot back. We limped back into Trailer Ranch RV Park to what seemed now to be "home". Another call to Don Chalmers Ford in Albuquerque, and by 5pm the truck was back in the shop and we were driving a Prius. (Note: Going from driving a F350 dually pickup to a Prius is quite the monumental change!)
We settled back into exploring Santa Fe and the surrounding area. Late Friday afternoon found us sitting in the cantina at La Fonda drinking wine and marveling at the history of the lobby and hotel. My phone rang and gave us both a start! Of course it was Chalmers Ford, and we had a very sick truck.
John, the service advisor, told me that the new programming did help, but transmission parts had to be ordered. There had been so many diagnostic codes generated that it took them almost an hour to look all of them up! Turns out that there were three solenoids and associated parts in the transmission that were bad. And our sick Beast of a truck would stay in the shop until at least Monday.
And Monday it was, February 9, before that magical call came . . . "Your truck is ready"! And I was just getting familiar with driving the Prius! But we sped down to Albuquerque to get our truck! Thankfully, the extended warranty covered everything, so a quick exchange of $100, and we were driving back to Santa Fe with high hopes of leaving for Pagosa Springs on Tuesday . . . and no further truck problems!
No comments:
Post a Comment