The Chariots of DOOM

[Greg]

So let me get this straight, Greg...

You've now driven 300+ miles just to make a light go off? 

More like 350 miles. And the light is off.

Sensors on the car tell if everything is functioning properly. Monitors on the sensors tell if the sensors are adjusted or not. If you fix the car the monitors on sensors need to be given time to monitor the sensors to make sure they are working properly. Until the monitors says the sensors are working properly, the car won't pass a smog check. How long does this take? No one knows. The mechanic says he had a woman who had car where it took a year and a half for the monitors to say everything was okay.

When I went in yesterday, the sensor that tripped the check engine light finally cleared. My car no longer has the vapor leak that started this whole journey. However, another sensor on the Catalytic convertor has yet to reset. They don't know why. I can only keep driving. Although when I pulled in yesterday, one of the suggestions was to warm up the car first. I then explained to the mechanic I had just finished a 100 mile drive and the car should be plenty warm at this point.

I have know for quite some time that the electrical system in my car is haunted. Windshield wipers go on at odd times. The battery goes dead for no reason. I hear buzzing noises from the speakers. It's great fun. The most consistent is this barely audible clicking that sounds sort of like the blinkers are on when they are not. I think this monitor problem is all part and parcel of that.

I'll be heading out for another drive on Wednesday. I really need to pass my smog check.