Chicago

a/c
choppingblock 4 Reviews 304 reads
posted

It depends on the car. Some cars it can be thermostat related, if your car is overheating it can make the pcm  disable to prevent your car from overheating.

Posted By: Angela_Petite2
I have to vent. Friday I had a simple task to replace my license plate bulb and one headlight bulb. Suddenly my a/c was no longer cool. After I purchased my bulbs I  noticed that I was next door to a place that did service a/c as well as other kinds of auto problems.Deciding on if I should purchase a can of 134A I was talked out of that by the store manager who told me the substance in the can that has leak prevention chemical can cause my compressor to go bad if I have a leak.So I asked the auto repair store to take a look.The mechanic came back and told me I needed a new relay switch.Gave me my estimate and I let him take care of the problem.So I thought.After three hours of waiting,I paid,and said so everything is ok? No leaks ? Nope you're good to go.I was on my way. Drove to the end of the parking lot to the street and I had no cold air. Drove it back in and said hey what gives here? Ugh.. I dunno come back tomorrow and we will check.WTF???

Ok so it was 9PM I understand tired - and the guys all looked wiped out.I am considerate and I went back the next day. I now have a new other component I can't recall its name and I say ok install it. No charge he says. Oh good I think.Then he comes to me and tells me that I have all sorts of leaks and I need a new compressor but that they have to really check more things out.By now I feel like my vehicle is an zebra in a clinical trial. I am then quoted all sorts of work for my A/C and out the door $1500.00. I drive to the end of the lot and my temp needle is on H . WTF!!!! Drive it back . Ok why is my car running hot? Ugh I dunno.

I finally ask them to put my old gadgets back on and pay me back. They comply. My car is no longer running hot there is some cold air  but I also can't drive it too far before its on H once again.We had a very mild winter so how can I have a leak? All my fluids are there and fresh. My gaskets could have blew had I drivin home like that  it ran that high to H. So maybe not using a so called reputable outfit who has no clue what they are doing , is there an honest ASE certified guy in the house? The business that  I went to said if someone I take my vehicle to says it's something that they have done that caused my problem , they will eat the bill. Shouldn't they have checked for leaks the night before?

PM if you know about this kind of stuff I would discuss the costs with someone who knows what
he is doing .

Thanks!

XO
Angela

     
-- Modified on 5/21/2012 10:10:46 PM

I have to vent. Friday I had a simple task to replace my license plate bulb and one headlight bulb. Suddenly my a/c was no longer cool. After I purchased my bulbs I  noticed that I was next door to a place that did service a/c as well as other kinds of auto problems.Deciding on if I should purchase a can of 134A I was talked out of that by the store manager who told me the substance in the can that has leak prevention chemical can cause my compressor to go bad if I have a leak.So I asked the auto repair store to take a look.The mechanic came back and told me I needed a new relay switch.Gave me my estimate and I let him take care of the problem.So I thought.After three hours of waiting,I paid,and said so everything is ok? No leaks ? Nope you're good to go.I was on my way. Drove to the end of the parking lot to the street and I had no cold air. Drove it back in and said hey what gives here? Ugh.. I dunno come back tomorrow and we will check.WTF???

Ok so it was 9PM I understand tired - and the guys all looked wiped out.I am considerate and I went back the next day. I now have a new other component I can't recall its name and I say ok install it. No charge he says. Oh good I think.Then he comes to me and tells me that I have all sorts of leaks and I need a new compressor but that they have to really check more things out.By now I feel like my vehicle is an zebra in a clinical trial. I am then quoted all sorts of work for my A/C and out the door $1500.00. I drive to the end of the lot and my temp needle is on H . WTF!!!! Drive it back . Ok why is my car running hot? Ugh I dunno.

I finally ask them to put my old gadgets back on and pay me back. They comply. My car is no longer running hot there is some cold air  but I also can't drive it too far before its on H once again.We had a very mild winter so how can I have a leak? All my fluids are there and fresh. My gaskets could have blew had I drivin home like that  it ran that high to H. So maybe not using a so called reputable outfit who has no clue what they are doing , is there an honest ASE certified guy in the house? The business that  I went to said if someone I take my vehicle to says it's something that they have done that caused my problem , they will eat the bill. Shouldn't they have checked for leaks the night before?

PM if you know about this kind of stuff I would discuss the costs with someone who knows what
he is doing .

Thanks!

XO
Angela

Derrick-Rose806 reads

Time for an upgrade.

if you are assuming that I drive a banger or a decrepit car, in a barely functional state
you're wrong.


I can tell you horror stories. Chicago is full of mechanics who are dishonest or incompetent or both.

What kind of car do you have? I know of a good foreign car guy in South Loop.

Seems they stick it to you for that amount no matter what. Take it to your dealer and pay to have it done right. At least you won't get cheated.

In my experience, you can save money going to a reputable chain like Merlin, Firestone or Goodyear. My local Firestone shop does my work, usually for 1/3 to 1/2 less than the new car dealer charges. I had a/c service quoted at $900 but I'm doing it myself with $20 cans of R134a.

Posted By: perfesser69
In my experience, you can save money going to a reputable chain like Merlin, Firestone or Goodyear. My local Firestone shop does my work, usually for 1/3 to 1/2 less than the new car dealer charges. I had a/c service quoted at $900 but I'm doing it myself with $20 cans of R134a.
Hey Smokey Yunick please report back how that has turned out for you in August.

I know I'll have to put a few more shots in before the summer ends, but it's that or give up hobbying for a while. After all, we're looking at two or three sessions here. The a/c can wait.

Posted By: Axxel
Posted By: perfesser69
In my experience, you can save money going to a reputable chain like Merlin, Firestone or Goodyear. My local Firestone shop does my work, usually for 1/3 to 1/2 less than the new car dealer charges. I had a/c service quoted at $900 but I'm doing it myself with $20 cans of R134a.
Hey Smokey Yunick please report back how that has turned out for you in August.  

R-134 is not cmpressible like the old R-12 was.  Slap a gauge on the system so you don't have to much pressure.  R-134 causes testicle cancer in rats so watch how you handle it.  It is also explosive.  ASE Resertified Retired Mechanic.

Mechanics and handymen, just like hobbiests like to connect with each other just providers and hobbiests... Well, not quite. But you get the idea ;)

Posted By: Angela_Petite2
I have to vent. Friday I had a simple task to replace my license plate bulb and one headlight bulb. Suddenly my a/c was no longer cool. After I purchased my bulbs I  noticed that I was next door to a place that did service a/c as well as other kinds of auto problems.Deciding on if I should purchase a can of 134A I was talked out of that by the store manager who told me the substance in the can that has leak prevention chemical can cause my compressor to go bad if I have a leak.So I asked the auto repair store to take a look.The mechanic came back and told me I needed a new relay switch.Gave me my estimate and I let him take care of the problem.So I thought.After three hours of waiting,I paid,and said so everything is ok? No leaks ? Nope you're good to go.I was on my way. Drove to the end of the parking lot to the street and I had no cold air. Drove it back in and said hey what gives here? Ugh.. I dunno come back tomorrow and we will check.WTF???

Ok so it was 9PM I understand tired - and the guys all looked wiped out.I am considerate and I went back the next day. I now have a new other component I can't recall its name and I say ok install it. No charge he says. Oh good I think.Then he comes to me and tells me that I have all sorts of leaks and I need a new compressor but that they have to really check more things out.By now I feel like my vehicle is an zebra in a clinical trial. I am then quoted all sorts of work for my A/C and out the door $1500.00. I drive to the end of the lot and my temp needle is on H . WTF!!!! Drive it back . Ok why is my car running hot? Ugh I dunno.

I finally ask them to put my old gadgets back on and pay me back. They comply. My car is no longer running hot there is some cold air  but I also can't drive it too far before its on H once again.We had a very mild winter so how can I have a leak? All my fluids are there and fresh. My gaskets could have blew had I drivin home like that  it ran that high to H. So maybe not using a so called reputable outfit who has no clue what they are doing , is there an honest ASE certified guy in the house? The business that  I went to said if someone I take my vehicle to says it's something that they have done that caused my problem , they will eat the bill. Shouldn't they have checked for leaks the night before?

PM if you know about this kind of stuff I would discuss the costs with someone who knows what
he is doing .

Thanks!

XO
Angela

     

thermostat getting stuck if you drive a short distance and it goes hot on you.
Anyway that's what happened to me.
I never paid 1500 for my coolant to be filled or checked it sounds like you put a new air system in th ecar for 1500!
Hoses do go bad get leaks and the rings on them too but its like 200 bucks the most I ever paid.

Fortunate that this winter and the one before I had a new water pump installed new alternator
complete oil change all fluids replaced rotors break pads breaks all I can do to keep her road ready as you know I travel. Today ... my a/c is back on no problems running hot so I agree it may be a switch or electrical . I have a few people who have contacted me I am so thankful .I'll update when I find out .
I cannot imaging being without wheels but glad I am close to alotof stores if that happened to me.


Ang

vago246 reads

angela, i am confused. is the car overheating? or is the a/c not working? if it is doing both then i would look at the fan at the radiator/ac condensor it may not be working. (ie fuse, motor, ground?) what kind of car is it?
is it a jeep? need more info so i can diagnose it and maybe fix it for ya. (former tech 15 years exp). you know who i am u gave me bad directions one evening. LOLOL.

It depends on the car. Some cars it can be thermostat related, if your car is overheating it can make the pcm  disable to prevent your car from overheating.

Posted By: Angela_Petite2
I have to vent. Friday I had a simple task to replace my license plate bulb and one headlight bulb. Suddenly my a/c was no longer cool. After I purchased my bulbs I  noticed that I was next door to a place that did service a/c as well as other kinds of auto problems.Deciding on if I should purchase a can of 134A I was talked out of that by the store manager who told me the substance in the can that has leak prevention chemical can cause my compressor to go bad if I have a leak.So I asked the auto repair store to take a look.The mechanic came back and told me I needed a new relay switch.Gave me my estimate and I let him take care of the problem.So I thought.After three hours of waiting,I paid,and said so everything is ok? No leaks ? Nope you're good to go.I was on my way. Drove to the end of the parking lot to the street and I had no cold air. Drove it back in and said hey what gives here? Ugh.. I dunno come back tomorrow and we will check.WTF???

Ok so it was 9PM I understand tired - and the guys all looked wiped out.I am considerate and I went back the next day. I now have a new other component I can't recall its name and I say ok install it. No charge he says. Oh good I think.Then he comes to me and tells me that I have all sorts of leaks and I need a new compressor but that they have to really check more things out.By now I feel like my vehicle is an zebra in a clinical trial. I am then quoted all sorts of work for my A/C and out the door $1500.00. I drive to the end of the lot and my temp needle is on H . WTF!!!! Drive it back . Ok why is my car running hot? Ugh I dunno.

I finally ask them to put my old gadgets back on and pay me back. They comply. My car is no longer running hot there is some cold air  but I also can't drive it too far before its on H once again.We had a very mild winter so how can I have a leak? All my fluids are there and fresh. My gaskets could have blew had I drivin home like that  it ran that high to H. So maybe not using a so called reputable outfit who has no clue what they are doing , is there an honest ASE certified guy in the house? The business that  I went to said if someone I take my vehicle to says it's something that they have done that caused my problem , they will eat the bill. Shouldn't they have checked for leaks the night before?

PM if you know about this kind of stuff I would discuss the costs with someone who knows what
he is doing .

Thanks!

XO
Angela

     
-- Modified on 5/21/2012 10:10:46 PM

An A/C system is a pressurized " machine ". Kinda like a guy :) - could'nt resist :)
You are 100% correct that step one is to check it for it's ability to hold and maintain that pressure . The compressor is what does this . Any shop that does not do this is one to never visit again . It takes 2 minutes to attach the hoses and guages to check if it leaks . While those hose are hooked up you can than see if the compresser is building the pressure or not .
Leaks are detected by the mechanic injecting a neon dye into the refrigerant and than using a black light to see where the leak is. Its not rocket science so you obviously found a crappy shop . I also believe they took advantage ( somewhat ) of a woman . They did do some work for free and tried to make things right so they are not totally bad .
To replace the compresser . They take all the refriderant out and store it in a tank . Replace compresser and then put the refriderant back in . A compresser can be around $400 to $500 - they are not cheap . To install I would guess $300 maybe $400 total .
When the compressor kicks in it draws a lot of current from the battery - this is why a relay is used. Yes it could have been bad and are VERY simple to replace .
Refridgerant has a lubicant in it to keep the seals from drying out . Not uncommon that over the winter months that since the A/C is off and no lubricant touchs the seals that they dry out . Run your A/C a few times each winter . Hoses are under pressure and are made of rubber . One is high pressure and the other is low pressure . The high pressure line also runs VERY hot so it is always suspect that it may leak . Heat and pressure on a rubber hose is a lot of strain on it .
Overheating - may or may not have anything to do with the work thay did . Completely different section of the engine and not many ( if any ) parts of the A/C system correlate to the engines cooling system .
Stay away from this shop for sure .
ASE mechanics are held to a higher standard of knowledge and ethics . Thay are continually tested and trained to keep that patch of honor on thier sleeve .
Hope I helped .

So much for the guided information and thank you to all the others . The fan will be replaced tomorrow
and the A/C rechecked thereafter. I hope it is only the hoses that need to be replaced if not I at least
have a savings for my car if I need to do anything major. It is disappointing that after something is paid off it needs an overhaul. Overall I have really cared for her well and have been complimented by one
service guy in the far NW burbs as to how well cared for my car really is.


ASE certified I did ask the guys are you ASE certified? They said yes.I'll take your advise in the winter and run my A/C I might have to find someone to have a back seat make out session with under a feather
comforter while doing so lol! Wouldn't that be a collectors review ;) Again thank you to each and every person with suggestions, ideas and concerns.    


XO
Angela

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