Last Monday, I thought I’d start putting some effort into starting my old FJ40 up. The battery no longer holds a charge so I called cAA for battery replacement service that’s part of my membership. But, they sent a guy who only boosts. It turned over well but since it’s been sitting so long it’ll take some extra choke. However, the CAA “kid” upon hearing it turn but not start proceeded to tell me “there must be a problem with the crankshaft”. I then shook my head and explained to him the carburetor just needs some priming and extra choke. But he insisted there was a problem with the crankshaft. At that point I relieved him as he was obviously of no help. Probably didn’t even know what a carburetor is….which made me feel old…LOL.

I wrote an e-mail to CAA to complain and learned that they don’t have anyone in this are to do battery replacement. I wish they could have just told me that from the beginning. Also why did this Service Technician not tell me either. And to this I felt grumpy! …which made me feel old again. They told me to take the battery out myself and to to the CAA in Milton but that they were not sure what battery to give me. Apparently, my vehicle and year is not in their system so they don’t know what to recommend, even though they have my old CAA battery as replacement. I decided to not mess around with CAA anymore and contacted Georgetown Toyota. It’s a shame that knowledgeable technicians are disappearing and people are becoming robots.

Georgetown Toyota got a battery in for me. I picked it up and put the new battery in. My neighbour came over to help and held the carburetor closed to give a little extra choke. After a few cycles it fired right up! Amazing!! After 3+ years of not even being started. It felt so great to hear it running, and running so well. Sometimes these old cars are so basic, they’re more reliable.