Couldn't help but chuckle at your "journey". I'm sure it will always get a chuckle (even from your sig other) when you lookback on it.
Reminds me of a time I was bringing home a 67 Cuda (on the wrong plates). While driving down the highway in a rainstorm, my headlights kept switching on and off. I finally pulled over, and while laying under the dash (getting a bit wet!), a RCMP car that was following me pulled up behind. The officer saw the "blinking" lights, and asked me what the problem was. Being frustrated and extremely wet, I mumbled something about a bad connection. It was "suggested" that maybe I get a tow home. Not! I ended up ripping the wires out of the foot dimmer switch (which was all wet from the water pouring in the wiper seal),and twisted them together to get the lights on. The "concerned" officer followed me for at least 5 miles (probably waiting for one more "blink") before speeding by me. What made it more nerve racking was the fact I was running the plates from my 69Cuda lol.