Last week, my right turn signal in my truck started flashing extra fast. This means it doesn't work. I know that. First, I changed the turn signal fuses (yes, I know how) -- that didn't work.Turns out the right tail light wasn't working. How come when I'm not looking for an auto parts store, I see them everywhere, but when I'm looking for one, I don't pass by one on any of my errands. Then yesterday, I saw one of those old fashioned, hole in the wall auto parts store in downtown Apex, NC. I pulled in. Dirty, old, not my normal kind of store, but I figured, hey, these people would really be helpful and provide good service. I asked for a rear tail light for a 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup. The guy looked it up and went to a bin and pulled one out. It wasn't in a package. It was just a lone light bulb. It cost $1.33 (including tax). So I bought it. I went home and followed the user's manual directions for removing the tail light and inserting the new bulb. Replaced the tail light -- the turn signal still doesn't work. Bummer.
Now I'm thinking it's something more than just a burnt out bulb. I call my favorite auto repair shop, Apex Autoworks, and make an appointment for first thing this morning. I tell them I'm going to wait and if it's something that needs a while to fix or a part order, I'll bring my truck back another time. I wait about an hour and the tech returns my truck with a signal that works.
It was the light bulb. He showed me the bulb I put in (that I bought 'new' yesterday). It had a burnt spot in it. His new bulb did the trick. He told me that sometimes even new bulbs are bad, but I'm betting it was the inventory at that old, dirty store where bulbs aren't even kept in packages.
So, I wasted time and money. I spent my original $1.33 plus the $14.56 that the auto repair shop charged. I think Apex Autoworks charged a very fair price and are quick, helpful and always friendly, but still -- I knew it was the lightbulb and I can fix that myself -- if the light bulb would have worked!!!!
