It's a sunny Wednesday morning in New York City, and I've decided to take the rest of the week off. Not quite what you'd call a vacation, but an opportunity nonetheless to drive to Buffalo, spend time with my entire family, and also get some much needed work done on my car. For a couple months I'd been driving on three brakes (one caliper failed and completely wore the pads down). I'd also take advantage of the time to replace a headlight assembly, change the oil and do other general maintenance. After working on the car, sailing with the family and kicking back for a little while in Wilson, I'd then head to Binghamton on Friday to visit Peter and Sue Malejs, and participate in the Keegan Classic golf benefit for their good friends.
Little did I know that I'd make a premature stop this Wednesday in Binghamton, because my entire electrical system failed 11 miles south on Highway 81. The car suddenly bucked, fuel pressure diminished and speed dropped rapidly, the song on the radio slowed sounding like an old warbling record player and all general power started to
disappear. I noticed quickly that my only chance was to coast up the nearby exit to the Welcome to New York rest stop. Once up there I was able to call my dad and troubleshoot, and thankfully get a hold of Pete who was just getting out of a summer teaching session.Pete came to the rescue (thanks buddy), we were able to make it to an automotive store in town (leaving the Audi behind), buy a new battery and make our way back to the rest stop and the car. We replaced the battery, were able to drive the car into town, but also discover the alternator wasn't working. This was a big deal since the alternator keeps the battery consistently
charging. Without it I'd be without power in another 15 minutes. Advance Auto Parts had the spare alternator, and a most helpful employee (see picture right) also had a connection - at nearly 5pm now - to replace the alternator. All the pieces fell into place perfectly, the alternator seemed to work keeping the battery charged; after leaving at 7am in the morning I finally pulled into my parents driveway at about 9pm. [Note on August 7th, the new alternator kicked the bucket on 2nd Ave and 7th Street in NYC, causing me to have to get it towed and repaired again for another $500! It's still working... knock on wood... but who knows what the future brings with my road trips back to Buffalo for this football season.]
charging. Without it I'd be without power in another 15 minutes. Advance Auto Parts had the spare alternator, and a most helpful employee (see picture right) also had a connection - at nearly 5pm now - to replace the alternator. All the pieces fell into place perfectly, the alternator seemed to work keeping the battery charged; after leaving at 7am in the morning I finally pulled into my parents driveway at about 9pm. [Note on August 7th, the new alternator kicked the bucket on 2nd Ave and 7th Street in NYC, causing me to have to get it towed and repaired again for another $500! It's still working... knock on wood... but who knows what the future brings with my road trips back to Buffalo for this football season.]
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