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View Full Version : A Big Thank You to Mike M. Dennis Reinhart, and a Texas State Trooper



ROCOB
11-28-2010, 07:35 PM
On the 12th of November I purchased Trilogy #92 from its second owner. We completed the transaction at a bank near Mike's Mobil One shop. I got on the road just before rush hour began, in Anthem, Arizona and within 2.5 miles of filling the car up it died :mad2:. I called the previous owner, who declared nothing of the sort ever happened to him under his ownership :bs:.

I called Mike and he had me towed back to his shop. Mike went out of his way to help a fellow marauder owner get back on the road. We troubleshot the car for quite a while, enlisted the help on Dennis Reinhart, and after a while found a blown fuse. Mike and I found a blown 25 amp fuse in the glove box, which is the same as Fuse #8 (inside) which controls the PATS, Fuel Pump, and COPs. Late that evening #92 was running again. I went to a motel for the night and got an early start. Halfway down the on ramp to I-10 you guessed it, it died again.:censor: This was at about 0615. I called the nearest Ford dealership, Earnhardt Ford and had it towed again. The intermittent fuse problem was no longer intermittent. I told the service writer about the purchase the day before and the #8 fuse problem, and that I needed to be back to GA Sunday night because I had to work Monday morning. While waiting in the dealership I researched the #8 fuse and the PATS. Interestingly enough there are several things that can cause the problem.

A little after noon the service writer said your car is fixed, just pay the cashier and you can be on your way. I asked her what was the amount, her reply was $73.00. I reminded her that was the amount of the towing bill and that I wanted to know what the amount owed to Earnhardt Ford. She politely said that I owe them nothing. I asked why and she stated that it was the decision made by the gentleman that worked on my car. I thanked him personally.

In a few minutes I was back on the road. I left Chandler, AZ a little after noon on the 13th and arrived @ Dyess AFB that night a little after midnight. Somewhere around Midland, TX I was pulled over for speeding, 10 over. The Trooper was quite professional and gave me a written warning. As he was returning my license he said " With a car like this you should have tried to run" (smiling). Based on his disposition I thought I would joke back with him and replied "If I had, you would not have caught me". We laughed for moment and turns out he was a car guy also. So it is 0-Dark thirty, about 30 degrees with plenty of wind, on I-10 outside of Midland, TX and I am on the side of the road with the hood up talking about cars with the officer. :beer: I am thankful he was such a good sport. The next morning I was on the road a little after 0700 and arrived home 2245, safe and sound.

With all of this being said, Thank You Mike M., Dennis Reinhart, and the Texas State Trooper, all of whom helped me when they certainly did not have to.

SID210SA
11-28-2010, 07:50 PM
Welcome to Texas.....and congrats on the new MM.....so what was the problem that they didnt charge you for?

martyo
11-28-2010, 08:40 PM
Very cool.

What was the cause/fix?

LANDY
11-28-2010, 09:06 PM
cool story Stacy, congrats on the new mm.

GAMike
11-28-2010, 09:08 PM
Can't wait to check out your new ride Stacy:burnout: Hopefully this is the last of the automotive "gremlins" for a while.:coolman:

Mike M
11-28-2010, 10:10 PM
Stacey is one of the nicest guys I have met in a long time. The problem turned out to be a chaffed wire. He is the proud owner of a bad ass Marauder now with low mileage.
D.R. really went above and beyond in helping us out.

Stacey...you have a friend in A.Z.

ROCOB
11-29-2010, 09:21 AM
Stacy is one of the nicest guys I have met in a long time. The problem turned out to be a chaffed wire. He is the proud owner of a bad ass Marauder now with low mileage.
D.R. really went above and beyond in helping us out.

Stacy...you have a friend in A.Z.

Thanks for those kind words Mike.
Mike is right, it was a chaffed wire that was the culprit. I got to tell you I was a little uneasy for the first few miles, but as time went on my confidence increased.

This is my third 04 silver birch and hopefully my last. I have learned a great deal over the past few years and have met some really good folks. Mike if you and/or your family are ever in my neck of the woods do not hesitate to give me a call. You all are welcome in our home.

Stacy

PS if anyone is ever in Phoenix/Anthem Arizona, look Mike up and check out his cars, they are sick :D