It pays to have an auto parts store you can count on...
Recently the windshield wiper motor on my truck died. Called my favorite auto parts store in town to see if they had a replacement. They told me those do not go out often enough to keep on hand, but they could have one in later that day.
My diagnosis was based on having the key in the ignition and the door open buzzer blaring. When the wipers were turned on, the buzzer frequency/intensity dropped. This told me the wipers were drawing current, but were not moving. In my early days of being broke with more time to work on Volkswagens the motor would have been taken apart and repaired. Now days it is easier to just buy the part and do less work so other things can be done in the time saved.
My truck has had a few little problems of late. Most of it seemed related to being parked over the winter without being used. The instrument panel volt meter was a little low. Checking with my own meter showed it was charging. The power steering was a little sluggish when not moving. There was also some squealing from under the hood at times.
Today had me heading to Vancouver to help a friend haul a load to the dump. Just as I was getting into town there was some squealing and then my power steering seemed to have died. The voltage dropped and the temp started to rise. So I stopped at the first place in town. Candy was already out of the house watering before the heat of the day was too much for her. She couldn't hear the phone ringing. Hitched a ride with a neighbor who stopped into the store at an intersection known as Baker's Corner. Maybe a long time ago before there were some levies built up there may have been water there. It is right next to Baker's landing. Not sure who that Baker person might have been, but there are a lot of Baker's this and Baker's that and even a town called Baker in Oregon.
Finally got home, picked up a bunch of tools and Candy went into town with me to take care of the truck. At the auto parts store the young guy at the counter offered me a piece of the cake that was on the counter and looked up the belt needed for the truck. He said it would be tomorrow before he could get one. I asked if he knew anyone else in town that may have one on hand. So he was working the phone when an older guy came out from the back of the store with some lamp fixture he was trying to fix. He asked what belt we were trying to find. He then went to the back of the store and came out with a different belt with a part number one digit different from the one specified on the computer. He said this one should work, it is only 3/8" different than the other one. My appreciation for people who can think outside the box was clearly expressed.
Good thing my metric tools were tossed into my tool box for the job. Even though it is an "American" made truck, the tension pulley has a 15mm bolt on it to push it in to allow clearance for the belt to be installed. Back on the road and it only took about 3 hours from failure to back home. 15mm is one of those sizes that doesn't translate to common SAE sizes. It is between 9/16 and 5/8".
There seems to be a lot of auto parts stores in town, but only a couple of them seem to have knowledgable people behind the counter. One of the other parts stores got on my bad side when my truck needed a water pump gasket. The guy told me they had one in stock. After driving into town, he told me the computer showed they had one but it must have been sold without being removed from in stock status. During our phone conversation he was asked to check stock and put it in 'will call' for me. After letting him know about my not being happy the manager took one from a water pump replacement kit. But things like that still leave me looking for someone who will take better care of customers. Maybe the young guy at the counter today also got an education about exact parts and alternative parts. It sure made me happy. It seems to have also made my truck happy. The voltage meter sprung up to the proper level and the power steering has no hesitation even at a full stop.
So folks, that is a hint. If your vehicle seems to be losing power steering, charging or any other system connected to the long belt driven by the engine's crankshaft, you may want to look into changing your belt.
That dump run down in Vancouver will have to wait until tomorrow.
jtk