Day of Kalimantan, 8th of Spring, 525 M.E. (Castor): Turns out there was nothing wrong with my car that $2,250 couldn't fix.

Tuesday, after my dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree with every possible light and indicator fully illuminated, I dropped the car off at Mr. Goodwrench to diagnose what was wrong. After 24 hours, they called and basically admitted they had no idea what the problem was. It had something to do with the car's computer system, they suspected, and only the manufacturer had the diagnostic codes to figure out the problem. They suggested I take it to the dealer, but still charged me $125 for their time looking at the vehicle even if they couldn't come up with an answer.

I drove the vehicle to the dealer as advised, and after about two hours they concluded that it was indeed a failure of the different computer components to properly communicate with each other, started by a low and underperforming battery. In addition to needing a new battery, they also noted that I was way past due to have the spark plugs replaced, that my front brakes needed adjustment, that the gas cap wasn't properly holding the tank pressure, and something to do with the "gas induction system." 

Other than oil changes and filter replacements, it's been a while since I had any real maintenance performed on the car. Last time it was serviced had to have been at least a couple years ago, before the covids. I can't put an exact date of the last maintenance/service visit other than it was sometime between 2014 and 2019, so I was past due. I agreed to the full monty service, especially considering I have a road trip coming up and don't want to break down somewhere in rural Tennessee.

It took them until the end of the day to complete all the work, but they gave me a loaner car in the meanwhile, a brand new 2025 Lexus SUV, to ride around in while they did the work. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything flashy or flamboyant to do in the loaner car that afternoon while I had it, and it spent most of its time parked in my driveway, where I think no neighbors saw or appreciated it. 

Their charge, at dealership rates, was $2,125 which, plus Goodwrench's $125, brings the total up to $2,250. Unexpected expense for a ROM on a fixed income but considering that's about 95% of my total maintenance cost over the past decade on a 15-year-old vehicle, I'd say I'm probably doing pretty well.