two outta three ain’t bad

on wednesday i got a wild hair and when i took the boy to work i took two fobs with – m’s and betty’s…

…i needed the former because that’s how i got the boy to work…but when i got back, i didn’t even go in the house, i just climbed in the recently back on all fours black betty, and started her up. similar issues as before – the chugging, the copious smoke, the almost dying engine at idle. there was no check engine light, but pulling codes turned up two – one for some solenoids i’d already replaced, and one for the turbo being shut off intentionally to protect it because of said solenoids.

i then sat out there and researched online and found out after you replace those lil’ fuckers you’re supposed to do a reset of sorts, that typically has to be done with fancy shmancy bmw software that i don’t have and can’t afford. it said that on some of the earlier models you could do a “coded reset”, which means you push buttons or something in a super secret pattern (in this case it was turn on ignition, but not the engine, then press the accelerator ten times, then shut her off for sixty seconds, then turn the engine over) and lo and behold, that worked! smooth idle. i through her in reverse only for her backup camera (which was surprisingly clear as a bell) to remind me that grey was parked behind her by only about four feet. i also (correctly) deduced that sitting as long as she has (i’m not sure how long it was, but i know i ordered the belt that had to be replaced back in august of last year so she’s definitely been sitting for at least a year) that wheels would need air (all four did) and i really should wipe her glass a bit so on wednesday she just sat after idling – but today she hit the road!

we started on the small block in my neighborhood, then the bigger block, and finally out onto some rural highways. i’d forgotten that her mirror motor had partially gone out so it won’t tilt up and down electronically, making me have to reach out the window old school style while driving, and she has a bit of wheel shake at highway speed, but overall i’d consider it a successful road test. there’s a definite burning oil smell once she’s back in the garage, but i expected that, along with the six warning light the dead headlight being removed caused, but, again, overall i’d call it a success.