15 Keys!

[expat]

An elderly lady friend visited this last weekend, she drives an elderly Datsun (but in darn good condition) when she was leaving she seemed to be spending quite some time in our driveway, so I went to see if there was a problem.
She had a whole bunch of ignition keys spread over the passenger seat!
I asked her if there was a problem, she said "No, just the 'Old Dear' gets picky about what key I use to start her"
She tried a 'new' key and the car started right away.
I told her that I suspect the the starter solenoid was on it's way out, and offered to fix it next weekend. She looked at me as though I was crazy "No it's the key! I used to use the main key on my keyring all the time, but the car got 'fed up' with it, so I tried the spare key and 'she' started" "A few days later 'she' got fed up with that one, so I got a new key cut. It took a moment for 'her' to get used to the New key but then she started right away" "She is just getting cranky in her old age"
I told the lady this was a mechanical problem, and soon the car will not start and she may find herself stranded, or need a costly tow.
The Lady is otherwise 'intelligent' but seemed to take delight that her car was developing a personality

 

[addyguy]

Old people are hilarious at times...but endearing, at the same time!

How 'elderly' is this Datsun? If it is a true 'Datsun', it must be pretty old!

 

[expat]

Maybe about 1980, It's a Wagon and has the old 1200cc engine that was a BMC 'A' series clone.
Runs really well, and proberbly well suited for the Old Gal as (apart from 'keys') it costs her Zip.

 

[Rick in PA]

Maybe she has a worn ignition switch and it is being "fussy" about the key. This reminds me of a Gus Wilson / Model Garage story I read when I was young... But I have to admit, the "whole bunch of ignition keys spread over the passengers seat" does paint an amusing mental image.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
Maybe she has a worn ignition switch and it is being "fussy" about the key. This reminds me of a Gus Wilson / Model Garage story I read when I was young... But I have to admit, the "whole bunch of ignition keys spread over the passengers seat" does paint an amusing mental image.


No, ignition came on, the engine just would not crank.

 

[The_Jeff]

If the solenoid is accessible like fords take one of the spare keys under the hood and "watch this" when you jump the terminal.

This thread reminds me of the Mama's Family episode where Mama buys a new used car and it has to be blue because she had good luck with blue cars.

"But we can paint any car blue" says the dealer.

"Nope, it has to be born blue" demands Mama.

 

[bigmike]

I'd have asked if she needed a bigger keyring and a labeling system.

 

[addyguy]

Wow. A 1980 Datsun still alive in Canada?

This must be out West, in BC. They don't survive anywhere else!

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Wow. A 1980 Datsun still alive in Canada?

This must be out West, in BC. They don't survive anywhere else!


Yes, on Vancouver island, we still have some first generation Civic's, Corolla's and Crowns. Vauxhall Epic's and Austin Marina's all in daily use.

 

[Spazdog]

One of my favorite mechanic stories goes way back.

A little old lady brings her Ford Falcon into the shop. She complains that it is running rough and using too much gas. The mechanic checks out the points, condenser, cap, rotor, filters, carb....everything checks out. He even fills a mason jar with gasoline and runs a section of fuel line to the pump. The 144 L6 just lightly sips the gas. He turns it over to her and says everything is in good working order.

She comes back the next day same complaint. So he decides to take a ride with her to identify the problem. She gets in the car, pulls out the choke, and hangs her pocketbook on the choke handle.

Problem identified.

Quote:
Wow. A 1980 Datsun still alive in Canada?

dissolved like so many slugs and Chevy Vegas in the salt.

 

[Kestas]

I can file this story under "female physics". Right along with the time that I wrapped my friend's popsicle momentarily at the beach to keep it cold. The girl next to me said, "Won't that warm it up and melt it quicker?"

 

[Vikas]

You should never say following words in a single sentence especially in a family oriented forum.

Here is the list: "popsicle" "wrapped" "female" "melt" and "girl"

 

[expat]

Well, I went to speak to the lady's mechanic today. This guy has been servicing the car almost from new. (she is the second owner, the first lost her licence and gave the car to her friend so she could drive her around) I gave him the Heads-Up on the key thing, and knowing I would be on this Forum, I asked him how the OCI's were performed. He said the Lady brings the car in on it's 'Birthday' in May he checks it over, gives it 4liters of XLR (???) 20w-50 and a Fram filter (an extra liter of oil is put in the trunk and the guy at the gas station who checks the oil level, tops up once in a while)
The Car had a 'New' rad about a year ago that came from some wreak (he thinks it was a BMW) He boasts the tires still look new after 18 years!