Well this one might give you a smile. This one took me from fear, uncertainty, depression, to relief, and embarassment in less than about 15 seconds or so.

The other day I got some bad news - I have broken my foot just walking in this New Jersey snow! Well I got home and said to my honey - let's go for a ride, I have cabin fever to say the least. It was cold, she put on her fur, the dog jumped in the car and I carefully balanced crutches behind her seat. We put the roof down and pulled out into the driveway.

As I pulled down the driveway, my girl said "you better listen to the engine, something's wrong." [oh great I thought to myself this is all I need, ah it's probably just something that will go away]

We pulled out and headed down the block. Something was wrong and things were getting worse. Of course by now my Irish Setter had jumped into my lap, she likes the rides better than I do sometimes. The car was acting strange, I now heard the screaching noise she pointed out, but it felt like we went into limp home mode too. No power, strangely no warning lights, I gave her more gas. We jumped forward, but quickly slowed (what the heck I thought - this isn't good....?).

Still no warnings, she was in gear, I couldn't figure it out. I took my foot off the gas to regroup and things got really bad. Almost imediately the car just halted!

It was the worse thing I tried to get a handle on it and thought to myself: "Oh no, I'm in between jobs - is this the transmission, how many thousand will that be? Is it one of the modules..." Things looked pretty bleak.

Then it hit me.

With the broken foot, I'm wearing one of those boots they strap you into. I leaned the seat back and moved the dog to the right and took a look to confim. That was it! This boot is so wide I was pretty much standing on the brake without realizing it! I dont know if I was more happy or more embarassed (probably embarrassed). I was actually driving with one foot on the gas and one on the brake and wondering why it didn't drive right!

Now you know they are way wider than the space for your left foot . I hope you never need one, but what a day. I scared the hell out of myself to say the least. You've just gotta laugh. I couldn't even blame it on drugs - was on the way to the phamacy (ha ha).

 

Problems with cars are often down to the nut holding the steering wheel

 

Yes, how true

 

Good story. Better outcome than a mechanic's bill.

Did the wife drive home or the dog?

 

Mike, LOL - That was a good one.

 

Just out of curiosity, what was the OBD code for that?

Hell, the car has friggin' codes for everything else!

;-)

 

This situation is precisely why I have to drive my Pantera without shoes. My size 14D tennis shoes cover the gas, brake, and nearly the clutch pedals all at once. When I used to take it to the track where you're required to wear shoes, I would actually drive it with my narrrowest dress shoes trying to avoid the same problem.

Glad it turned out to be an easy fix.