It's the game you get to play when your car gets older. My car, well, it's practically ancient. Almost Antique.
I'm still enjoying the thing, I do like driving it. I may be the "Little Old Lady" Driver who only goes to The Park three times a week, but I do enjoy the daylights out of the Jeep.
I must. I've only driven Jeep Wrangler TJs since 1996.
But this one is a 2002. That makes it, what, as of this writing? 23 model years old.
If I am off by a bit, it won't matter, I'm not replacing the thirsty beast.
It's a simple machine, as far as a vehicle goes.
I've had 4 car stereos in it.
Replaced the tires twice.
I prefer to do my own oil changes, and besides, it gives me something to keep me honest when I do.
The rubber hoses can be old and cracking but I know where to look.
If you have an old car, you will need to open your hood and look very closely at your hoses. If you see any kind of cracking on them, the hose should be replaced. When I did, I put a zip tie on the end to make sure it's "Good And Tight".
Last year I did a LOT of maintenance.
After an oil change:
I replaced almost all of the vacuum hoses under the hood and came back and did more later.
I replaced the "Oxygen Sensors". There's a truly strange tool that looks like a socket wrench socket with a notch cut out of it for the wire to be avoided as you turn. They're not easy, all the heat on them tries to weld them to your exhaust system.
I replaced the Fuel Injectors.
I replaced the "Coil Rail".
I replaced the Clutch Master Cylinder at the dealer since I was stranded at the dealer after a workout. It was another 10K to ride the bike home since they couldn't get me here. Turns out, that's a plug in replacement on a 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Could have done that one myself if I had the part, and they didn't. I had to wait a week without a car at home.
There is a bag waiting for me to replace the bearings in the driver's seat so it rolls back and forth smoothly.
I replaced the gas cap. Twice.
I am sure there are other things. I'm about to replace the roof and windows since they're held in by zippers and velcro.
There is no such thing as Security in a Soft Top or Convertible. Period. I had to remove the alarm years ago when it shorted out and blew one of those weird plastic fuses.
Mind you, this is over the years. Not just "right now". Maybe since 2015 or so.
I don't drive a lot. The car rides great though, new tires help that. I went from 10mpg to 16mpg which helps after all that maintenance.
Being bored on Covid Lockdown and "Peak Summer Workout Pause" helped.
This time it was the battery. I got stranded this morning. I was going to go to The Park to do my usual Maintenance Workout of 23 or so miles on the bike. Got everything together and went to start the car. "Rrrrr" said DJ the TJ. Then "CLICK CLICK CLICK".
What I said is unprintable.
We took Mr Dog for his second walk around town. When I came back I had put the charger on the car and ignored it for 3 hours. That gave me enough charge to get to Walmart for a warranty replacement.
A repeat also implies that I have a charging system problem or a "Parasitic Drain".
We will see. I have a brand new battery in the car now. If I get the "Rrrrr... CLICK" problem again, I'll have the portable jump starter under the back seat after Friday and will have to replace the alternator.
That's what it is right? Alternator not charging?
*sigh* I have my appointments, Darth Jeep. Better behave.
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