The Emissions Test

It all started with good intentions. Tim had the day off from work. We made the list of things that needed to be done. First on the list was to head to the DMV to make me and my car legal. Upon research, we found that before I could register in Colorado, I would need to pass an emissions test. (For those of you in SC, this something we used to do when we had the little stickers in the bottom left corner of the windshields.) About 12:30, Tim and I were finally ready to head to the Emissions Testing Facility. We give the keys to the people working there and go into the waiting room. About five minutes later they come in asking if there is some special alarm on my car. Somehow, in the time it took for them to get our keys and drive it to the first test spot (about 10 feet forward) the car decided it would not start. They ensured us that they had not done anything, and when asked what went wrong, they simply said that they "weren't mechanics." They did kindly push us out of the way so that they could continue working.

We checked the battery and the positive terminal was completely corroded. After calling Geico to get a tow-truck (that we were told would take up to 90 minutes) I suggested we try to clean off the battery and get someone to jump us off. Luckily this worked. We no longer had to wait to be towed. We took my car up to a repair shop where they checked and found that the battery was pretty weak. We quickly drove to "Checkers Automotive"...similar to AutoZone. Tim decided to buy a new battery and terminal and replace them. He did a very good job at this. (I'm quickly realizing all the benefits of having a husband!)

After Tim had almost finished, one of the helpful people at Checkers came to see how we were progressing. When we started my car up, he noticed that my "check engine" light was on. This has been on for over year. I had been told not to worry about it. However, in the wonderful state of Colorado, this can pose a problem. In any case, Gary quickly decided to help us figure out a way to turn the light off. An hour later, with five guys on the case, they found that the hook up for diagnostic tests is behind my ashtray. Gary runs the test and finds that my Oxygen-something wasn't functioning properly. He also said that it could set off a signal at the emissions place and we might not pass our test if it doesn't get fixed. To fix this, the part would cost $200, so he suggested trying to pass the test first. If we didn't pass, we could then come back and he'd help us get the parts we needed.

By this time, several hours have passed, we have had no lunch, and nothing has been accomplished that was on our list. Begrudgingly, we hop back into the car and head back to the Emissions Testing Facility. We pull back up in line and they automatically notice us. One friendly guy inquires about what turned out to be the problem and then quickly instructs us to go into the waiting area while they run the test. Tim and I are both exhausted, but we patiently wait while they begin to run the tests. About 10 minutes later, we see them push our car off the ramp and they call us out of the waiting area to let us know...(did we pass the emissions test???)

NO...the entire facility went down and we were told that we would need to come back later!!!!

Starving, we get into the car, checked the time in the car which said 2:30. This surprised me because of how long the day had seemed. We decided to get something to eat and at least accomplish setting up bank accounts. After eating we went to the bank, thinking it was mid-afternoon (plenty of time for our other chores.) I check the time on my cell phone which said it was going on 6:00. Confusing, seeing that my clock in my car said something completely different. We checked with the people at the bank and they confirmed that it was almost 6:00. After several confused looks passed between two very tired married people, I remembered...DUH! My battery had died...as with any electric clock that loses power, the time in the car was now wrong. In all, our fun adventure in Colorado took 6 hours. I am so glad to be home!