Transferring Cheryl's Running Ability To Subie

Things were looking so positive.

 And we had such big plans for this weekend....   Cheryl was going to run in the sweetheart Race that was canceled last weekend in Kansas City.  And everything was looking So well! Cheryl's leg has been getting better;  The weather has been warming up; We even had Subie looked over by the Mechanic for his rough cold weather start;  and we were hopeful for a second chance to get that medal.   And then...

Warmer weather, better running...

The code that the Mechanic pulled from the computer was an "Irregular idle" code.   And Cheryl was wondering what could have caused that.    She begins to investigate and discovered we have done or replaced everything on the list... Except the Power Steering Pressure Sensor.  Now, if you are like me,  you will ask: How does the power steering Pressure Sensor have anything to do with the idle of your car? 

    Small Power Steering Sensor... Problems?    

New Power Steering pump.. PSPS not included.

Apparently,  the Power Steering Pressure Sensor detects the torque your power steering  pump is exerting on the engine... and the message is sent back to the computer,  who quickly calculates the amount of fuel you will need to keep your engine alive. And if there is a break in the system...  your poor computer has to "guess" and usually ends up guessing wrong.  Causing you to hesitate on left turns in front of cement trucks that are driving 10 miles over the speed limit!

Why this is important!!!!

Well, we had all the symptoms!  (Including the cement truck one!) and figured it was time to get it looked at with our new theory.   I think the mechanics thought we were nuts.  "Car Hypochondriacs!" was possibly the title we had been labeled.   We did not want to bother them much, so, the morning of our appointment,  We dropped in on NAPA and bought a new power steering pump, figuring that the sensor came along with a rebuild.

Early Morning to NAPA>

It did NOT!   The mechanics at least helped us in finding where the sensor was located and suggested we search the salvage yards for a donor.   We found one and it would arrive by Friday.   We bought it.

Hmm  Isn't this a little high for an Idle?

And here is where the "tough choices" had to be made.   If the part arrives on Friday, we will not be able to attend the race on Saturday.  In fact, we would have to cancel the hotel and everything else.  To add to the "don't go" side,  Subie suddenly began acting sporadic with the idle going crazy in the parking lot... something he has not done for a long time. I think it was the mechanic meddling with the sensor while showing us the location and making the connection secure. Either way,  Cheryl Freaks out!

Some of our best thinking is done at Dunkin'.

Over Donuts, we decide that the best course of action was to cancel the race and see if we can get Subie back up and running. We did not want to have Subie stall or break on us while in a foreign state.  It was a heart breaking decision, that Cheryl immediately began questioning the moment she hung up the phone. All night she was bothered wondering if she had done the right thing.  So what to do on our newly freed-up Friday...

Might as well eat Pizza.

Brings back memories.

Go to Iowa City and Eat Pizza!   Might as well.   We did nothing the previous day except worry about everything.  After the Pizza, we picked up the part from the scrap yard and headed to Central Auto.   Asking if they could fit us in.   They could. ( Great guys!)  And told us they would put the part in for free and see about total pump replacement later if the sensor did not solve the problem.   Cheryl noted that the Subster was sounding funny around the wheels and if they could look things over underneath.

Another Problem?   Better get that fixed as well. 

Turns out,  all that crazy worry, ghost chasing, and gremlin sounds that had been pestering us was the front ball joint about to fail!  We get that fixed along with an alignment.... and they would still put the sensor in for free.   Several hours later,   about 30 minutes after quitting time,  they give us our car back.   I felt bad that what had been a 10 minute job for them ended up taking all day...  But subie was back on track.  And now for the true test:  Turning left!

Subie Almost as good as new.

FIXED!   Subie can now turn left without hesitation.   I'm so exhausted I can't fully express my feelings.   Ultimately I think this was all set in motion so we could head a serious problem off at the pass before it became .... serious.   No one wants to get stranded several hours away from home on a weekend when no one is available to help you. The Ball Joints were the Serious Problem,  the Sensor was simply chronic... but still bothersome.   So Cheryl ended up giving  up her run to get the car running.  I think that is poetic.   And a great title for a Blog posting.  YEAH!