if i was closer to fairbanks i would have been tempted to just drive with the thing as it was. but, there are some LONG stretches on the alcan where service is nonexistent. thus, i opted for the repair now rather than later.

the red deer toyota dealership.

the new $400 alternator!

it started someplace in the southwest. i’d be cruising along at 65 or 70ish (that’s mph for the canucks..) and suddenly the truck would have a loss of power and then jerk back to normal. the first few times this happened i figured that maybe my foot had slipped on the peddle and the re-engaged the throttle. well, not so. once i got to florida the problem reoccurred on a somewhat regular basis. the one thing that i noticed was that it only happened when i was above 60 mph.

after some googling i and my check engine light glowing, i find that i have a “42” error code. which translates as a VSS (vehicle speed sensor) error. turns out that the VSS is part of the speedo, which is part of the instrument cluster, which requires tearing into the entire dash, including removal of steering wheel.

as it is, if i had an automatic transmission or cruise control the problem would be much more serious. but, the only apparent symptom the truck has is the rather disquieting habit of having a complete fuel cut off at speeds in excess of 60. once one gets used to that its not too bad. except when one is driving in heavy traffic with an 18 wheeler 15 feet behind you.

now, a smart guy would get this fixed right away. but, i figure there is at least a 25-50% chance that i can nurse the truck back to fairbanks and have it fixed, maybe, there. thus, i have a new rule, keep the speed to less than 60 mph. — i get passed a LOT — but, what care i?

in the process of diagnosing the above error i made a discovery. there is a “low fuel” light on my truck, see below, i never knew that!

low fuel light, who knew....

bought a gps nav gizmo. really great for city navigation. has a built in database of food, fuel, parks, museums, etc. etc. well worth the $120.

but! fear not, the trip shall continue as the voyage is the thing.

located in the DEPTHS of the SOUTH i have found the location of those elusive sandhill cranes that over flew fairbanks one autumn day.

day 1: lacombe to fort saint john — 488 miles.

day 2: fort saint john to watson lake — 556 miles.

day 3: watson lake to destruction bay — 433 miles.

day 4: destruction bay to fairbanks — 427 miles.

pushed on into canada. was directed to a search building upon entry. they wanted to look inside the capper. not too friendly of a guy at the border. i’m guessing that since i entered ca about a week earlier on the way to peterborough, and then re-entered a week later it flagged something in the computer and i got searched. the searchers were more friendly than the window guy. one fellow was “impressed” that i made the capper, considering its just plywood and 2x’s i’m always amazed that people are impressed by it. i guess folks just don’t make things any more.

got to swift current, sask this night. interesting place. the grocery stores close at 6pm on a saturday — a real swinging town. so, no salad tonight, instead went to the local kfc. met a kid working there who was all excited about alaska. somehow a dream of his and his dad’s to go. to him to do so. but, needed to head out as my chicken was getting cold.

push on to lethbridge tomali.