Blog 3902 – 07.29.2026

Problems Are Meant To Be Solved

Yesterday, just before I got back from a long drive to and back from Bon Wier, Texas, my engine light came on in my pick-up. One of the advantages of a long life is that you come to expect problems and are not surprised nor overwhelmed by them. One of my favorite Peanuts comic strips has Linus standing by a campfire saying, “Man is destined for trouble as the sparks fly up.” I think Linus and the prophet he is quoting got that one right.

One of my son’s best buddies is a service tech supervisor at the Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership where I have my pick-up serviced, so I gave him a call to ask if I should have my truck towed to the dealership or try driving it there. I left a voicemail and later a text.

He got back with me by text this morning, apologized for the delay saying he and his wife were out of the country. He went on to advise me that the safest bet would be to have it towed, but asked if I knew the codes for the problem. I texted back that I would drive it to a nearby Auto Zone and have them run the codes. I figured if it was not a major problem I would drive it to the dealership several miles away. I did however back in to a parking spot at the Auto Zone to make it easier for a tow truck to hook it up if need be.

There were two codes that the computer identified as a “running lean in two banks problem.” I texted Matt the information and told him I was driving it to the dealership service department. He said the two codes pointed to a possible fuel pump issue and he had feared it might be a transmission problem where driving it would do more damage but thought I would be fine.

I dropped it off and the service adviser said it would be Friday before they could get to it. I asked him about a ride to the nearest Enterprise Rental Car place. He pointed to one just down from the dealership and said they could give me a ride there, but before they did I should call because often they were out of cars and that the dealership had not used them in a long time for that reason.

I figured I’d go “old school” and just walk down and see. I left a few minutes later in a new white Acura that I am sure I will enjoy driving for a few days till my trunk is repaired. If you try to remember how to eat an elephant (one bite at a time) even the biggest problems are not such a big deal.

Your friend, fellow traveler, and problem solver,

David James White

A shout out to Matt, the Auto Zone staff person, the dealership service adviser, and the rental car sales person for helping me along the way to getting my problem solved. Guys, it is no crime to ask for help when you need it.