| Re: One unique down side of owning a GMC [message #223275 is a reply to message #223239] |
Fri, 20 September 2013 22:47   |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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I sure know what you mean! The last time I was on the road I wish I would not have attracted so much attention.
I had just pulled into a high-end park in Nevada and stopped in the lineup to check in. There were several SOB rallies there at the time and Winnebago and Camping World had set up a huge display area near the office for the rally attendees. Several of the folks looking at the new Winnebagos left and came over to check out my coach while I was unhooking my Tracker. I checked in and the park employee was about to guide me to my spot and all the sudden I could not shift into gear. The gear shift lever was just moving freely. Luckily, the troop of onlookers had not noticed my problem and somehow I got it in gear and followed the guy around the park. The guide directed me to the spot in such a way that I had to back in...OH NO! I did mange to get in reverse and got in my ultra-deluxe corner spot for the whole park to see.
I got on the phone with Miguel Mendez of MGM-GMC. What a Guy! He was able to talk me through a trouble shooting procedure to check out the trans. As we all know, in such a park you are not allowed to work on your coach. To get around that I parked the Tracker in front of the coach and and went "down under" as stealthy as I could while my wife diverted more onlookers. Luckily, I found that a cotter pin holding the shift-cable bracket on the side of the transmission had fallen off. A key ring took the place of the missing cotter pin and wallah the shift lever was back in action.
My troubles were not over, as I went to start the engine...nothing. Another call to Miguel. He suggested I jumper the neutral start safety switch. I did that and another attempt to start yielded my wife saying she smelled smoke! Another stealth trip "down under" I found a wire to the starter solenoid I had previously replaced had dangled down low enough to come in contact with the axle and had rubbed the insulation off. I had some wire in my emergency kit and spliced a new length and could again show off how well my new starter worked. I also noticed that my new axle boot had a split in it and there was grease all over the place and on me too when I came out. So much for stealth while covered with grease!
But wait there's more! When the engine started up I noticed that my air compressor was not running! OH POOP! what next? Maybe the short had burned some fuses. They all tested good, even the big 30 AMP one for the suspension. I took a closer look at the fuse block and it looked a little corroded so I polished them with a pencil eraser and another wallah the compressor kicked in. I bet that 30 AMP had not been touched since 1973!
Well I managed to get everything working again and did not get caught by park management and no one that stopped to look and talk told on me either.
All this to say that is true, "Pride Cometh before the Fall" I was all pleased to see the Winnebago salesmen frown when everyone left their exhibit to see the old GMC. At least I was lucky I did not have to be towed away in front of the office with a crowd there looking on!
Miguel called me back that night to see if everything was OK. Thanks Miguel for all your help.
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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