Funny thing happened going to work today

[underpants]

That alarm went off really early this morning. I’d really slept in over the weekend. So I get to work and find out that the phones and internet have been out all weekend. Cool. I stop unpacking and pack to go home. One more day teleworking- my daughter’s first day of virtual school.

As I’m leaving I see this person walking around. She has on an ID but I don’t recognize her. Turns out she’s from one of our satellite offices. I ask if I can help. She has her car key fob in her hand. She trying to find their car that left here WHEN THE SHUTDOWN STARTED IN MARCH. St. Patrick’s Day to be exact. I felt like it was something out of a time warp. This car was left (her office is about 2 hours away) all this time? Almost 6 full months?

She said she thought the battery might have died. I directed her to where most of the fleet cars are parked and where to find security who can find maintenance.

I guess someone from that office was here and left it getting a ride back to their office or someone got the car as a loaner. I didn’t stick around to ask too many questions- I had to get home for one more day working from the recliner.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. The car's computer will definitely make that battery run down over six months. NT

[Polybius]

3. Even without it, all batteries gradually drain

In a car, it's usually a couple of months tops.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Depends On Age

Before I retired, I had an extra car (an 1998 Chrysler Concorde) that I drove in winter. Kept the ragtop in the garage.
One winter, I changed the battery and only drove it a couple months before I parked it for the warm weather.
Never used it. Come October, I go out to see if it would start. I figured it wouldn't, as you suggest.
Boom, turned right over.
Over that winter, the convertible, with a much(!) older battery, was started and let run in the driveway in November. Forgot in December. Right after first of year, I go to start it. Nothing! Absolutely dead. I then realized even the interior lights weren't on!
Thing wouldn't even take a charge.
Had to have a pal help me push it out of the garage so I could change the battery.
One battery, under a year old, held starter charge for 6 months. The other couldn't for 6 weeks!

[Demovictory9]

14. maybe depends on age of battery also. left car in airport parking for less than a week,

needed jump to get it started. But then needed jump a few days later... battery was about gone

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Like My Ragtop

Before I had to push it out of the garage, I got it to jump.
Battery was so useless that the car, which still gets its juice from the alternator, through the battery.
Thing wouldn't even pass current through it, and car shut off after 5 minutes. Glad I didn't leave the driveway.
And changing the battery on that car is a royal pain!

[underpants]

5. After about 4 months when we went back in

Last edited Tue Sep 8, 2020, 01:43 PM - Edit history (1)

The first thing I did was try the vehicles we have. Started right up.

My boss was saying “call fleet and have them come out”. I was thinking “Why?” I called our fleet people and they said they were getting tons of calls to come out and check vehicles - hell no check them yourself and call us if there’s a problem.

The weird part is I didn’t see anyone else with her. Like she just got dropped off or dropped in from 6 months ago.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. I'm surprised. I would have thought that a charge would have been required first. NT

[SheltieLover]

2. Sounds like a scene out of a movie

I hope you can continue to work from home!

[underpants]

4. That's exactly what it reminded me of

It was like she just appeared from 6 months ago. *poof*

I’m back in tomorrow. They got it worked out about the time I got home, got into my shorts, and fired up the laptop.

[SheltieLover]

7. Twilight zone episode?

I hope it is safe at your office.

[Totally Tunsie]

10. That, or a Stephen King novel!

[SheltieLover]

11. Probably more this.

I just don't watch those. Lol

[underpants]

13. It's safe

My wife bought me a little dorm room type fridge. I go in and barely leave my office. No using the community fridges. If I have to microwave I’ve found one that’s in the area still mostly without staff.

[SheltieLover]

15. Glad to hear!

What about ventilation?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. They'll find it eventually ...

[underpants]

12. She got a jump

Sleeper!

She just seemed to be there by herself. We’ve been back since early July even if with split schedules. I’m really curious as to how this vehicle was left so far away and for so long.