I'm in like Flint

I called the tow service about 9 am. They were supposed to come get my car about 2 pm. At 2:30 pm they hadn't shown up so I called AAA to find out if they were en route or what. The agent on the phone said sorry to tell you that it looks like they're coming at 7:30 pm. I came completely unglued and blessed out the poor agent on the phone. I told him I knew it wasn't his fault, but unfortunately for him.... he was the one on the other end of the phone so that's where I was directing my ire. To his credit... he took it like a man.

I've been a AAA customer since 1978 and have used their services not even a dozen times in 34 years and the ONE time I really need them... they can't come till after hours??!! I told the guy if they can't come by 4 pm today, forget it. Well, waddya know... the tow truck driver showed up about 3:15 pm and he had a portable battery jumper that he wanted to try first. He put one end of the jumper on the battery and the other on the alternator (I had no idea you could even do that). I put the key in the ignition and the car started right up!!. He said, "looks like you've got a bad battery". He said he'd tow it to the dealer if I still wanted him to... but if the problem was the battery... I didn't think that was necessary. I thanked him and told him he could go. I let the car run for about 20 minutes, called Jiffy Lube which is 1 mile away and asked if they had a battery for my car. They said they did and I hightailed it over there to buy it and have them install it. They also checked the battery that was in the car and said it was bad. So, hopefully that's the end of it. I've got a new battery and for now all is well.

If that's all it was, I am so SO glad. But if the Check Charging System light comes on now, at least I know it's not the battery and it's something that really does need the attention of a repair shop. I'll cross the bridge when I come to it.

For now, I'm one happy Mama!

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