Hippie'sMom

Well it is acting perfect today. Hmmm....

I had the cat complaining LOUDLY in a carrier to go to the vet's and the passenger side wouldn't open. It was mid 40s and raining. Went to the driver's side--still a brick. Purse is in the car too, so cat and I go grab a checkbook and keys to the back up PT and we're off to the vet. Where I have a flat tire. Life's Rich Pageant. When I caught a ride home with still complaining cat, I got the key out of the fob and opened the car--the instant I put the key in, lights came on, so no 12 volt problem. I'm going to replace the fob battery, it has got to be time, and hope that it is happy trails. That is if it actually runs. I was able to "bark" the horn with the fob numerous times since the big break in with the mechanical key. I'll post to see if I have a cure.

Anyone leave the USB plugged in overnight? Without the phone, I mean. I want to put one in the car and leave it, but I don't want to cause a drain.

I returned it yesterday--we had done the recall already, so they rechecked the battery. Left overnight and there was a bad cell. So new 12V battery and all seems back to normal, none of the error codes they had been picking up. So I think it ended up being fairly prosaic. Thanks all.

I got the message again, so I think I am going back to ask about software updates.

So the battery wasn't bad. The charge held and all their diagnostics showed it to be a happy, charged up so-and-so. I had gotten a few messages in the prior week about "powering down to conserve battery" on the computer display, and I was a bit baffled as I had turned off the car, so it was kind of "duh--is that an upgrade message new thing they are doing???" since I expect the occasional update. Ford Service said "you must have left on a light or left a door ajar." I don't believe I did--but is there something people can accidentally turn on and not know it? Or is this just the start of 12V woes?

Bad news--it's the battery. Good news--the little cheap battery! The AAA guy said the weird light stuff is like a warning that some shiz is about to go down battery-wise. Hope I can make it go to the Ford dealer in the am. Drove it around hoping I could make it go one more time tomorrow.

OK, lights have gone out and AAA is on the way so we can see if the battery is low.

Sorry--didn't really get it to start. So flustered.

Got it to start--weird flasking of systems, then NOTHING. Headlights and tails on--won't respond to controls. What to do? Would a jump help?

Looks like when need a U Ford C-Max group! Of course I have the dubious distinction of going through the process twice in 6 months due to my bizarro on street parking adventure. PS: I enjoyed Jesus Swept.

So they totaled the PT too, but since it has been babied all these years, there's no used car I can vouch for in the same way, so I took the bucks (they gave me more than expected), paid them $819 salvage so I make actually come out even. The body shop got a lift gate that just happened to be the right color (I said we would hillbilly it up and use whatever color they got). The saga continues. Yippie and I will take our first long trip, to Ohio, soon. The suitcases and manual wheelchair all fit according to the dry run I did last night, so wish us luck.

I am parking Yippie behind my house and one of the reasons Hippie was on the street (and met its demise) was the really bad turn radius. I parked the PT back there pretty easily and Chryslers are all crap for turning. I have a few yard obstacles that will soon be moved and make it easier, but it is pretty much the 34 point road turn.

The Sync interface has 4 little icons on the start screen of Yippie--I believe Hippie had 3. There is the House and the cog on the ends and whatever the 3rd one was/is, but now there is a pair of leaves. When you select it, a cool photo of the car comes up and gived a schematic of what is running on battery. If the ICE kicks in, it shows what it is powering and give a bullet explanation. I saw Acceleration and Normal Operation. I swear the 6 month ago version did not include that, Also, the Navigation seems to be up and running and giving me constant read out on my locale and showing the compass. I am not sure I had that going on the old version. Maybe theat is the MFT upgrade mentioned on my crash thread as a possibility. I have driven less than 20 miles, so bells and whistels have not been fully exercised. I did hook up the IPod and like that interface.

This is the idea, without the fantabulous house. http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/grass-driveway-

I couldn't stand to leave her on the street.. I have an "auto court" (concrete blocks with grass poking though) and the lawn is out of control but I have a concrete pad I can leave her on. I think it might have the new MFT installed--I'll find out more tomorrow. Hope this night is less eventful than last Saturday.

Well, everyone helped make the transition to Yippie run smoothly. Meet the new car, same as the old car.... Update: the repair estimate was $18,400!

Police report not in yet. Like in the Big Lebowski, I have a feeling they are working on it..in shifts.

I am going in for the police report tomorrow and I'll see where they are on that.

Yes--thanks! I can at least visit Yippie if I can't drive her :wub2:

Oh--I forgot the most interesting thing for the group--damage was estimated at over $17K to repair.

I am told Hippie's twin will be on the lot tomorrow. State Farm has been a lamb so far (I think my totally blameless story helps) and I got the financial word today. I had no gap coverage, which I will get this next time for Yippie having dodged the metaphorical bullet this time. The pay off is below what State Farm will give me (we conferenced in the lender and got the 10 day pay off). I paid 5K down so that helped me stay right side up. State Farm discounted from my Bill of Sale--they took the 3600 miles and multiplied by the IRS 56.5 cent/mile or whatever it is and had that as the depreciation. Even with that, I'll get some money back. I really come out less than $5 bucks out with the $1 K deductible (which I may get back after we pursue the minivan policy). I give all the financial details in case anyone is unfortunate enough to know someone in a similar stead. I am unsure if the dealer can work magic to get me behind the wheel before all the money changes hands among the various parties. Petey the busted PT and I can get along with our leaking tailpipe fumes until we get the all clear. I am going to make sure I pay attention to the thread on what to know before you leave the dealer. Redux.

MFT--that's what I yelled at the guy who hit my car!

I think it is going to be less hassle than I feared. Thanks, all.

Well, I had a message today to call State Farm at a different extension. They answered "Total Loss Department" so, spoiler alert, I thought. I went to University Ford and got my plate a pair of mittens, a hanger, my gas receipts, and the other personal item detritus. The body shop guy was pretty surprised that they totaled her. I got a copy of the bill of sale--State Farm asked for that and is making noises like they will make me whole on this thing since they know I had so few miles--it was around 4000--typo above I meant 5000 not 500. So Hippie is now Dead Hippie and the replacement will be her twin, I hope, Yippie.