Air Con Dramas

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

I hope this is in the right section, and I have tried searching.

Merry Christmas to All.

Seeking opnions / help on the following:

Bought our GXL Auto Prado D4D in Mar 07 (pre the updated climate control and rear cooler).

Air con has never been cold enough from day 1.

2 weeks later, took in for the 1,000km service and they said "we regassed it".

Seemed to work okay for 2 weeks and then went crap again.

Had a miriad of personal problems then, premature baby (born at 24 weeks) that stopped us from taking the car in. And also finally got the car tinted with UV on the privacy glass 2 months ago.

Nov 07 - took the car in for the second time. They said they regassed again. Worked okay for 2 weeks and then back to rubbish again. When I said it worked okay (it would be about 70% of what a good air con feels in other cars).

About to take it back in, early new year (for the 3rd time).

Description of what its doing:

When they regas it, it works to about 70% of what I'd find acceptable. 2 weeks later its rubbish.

Let me define rubbish;

Air Con working to say 40% of coolness I'd expect. Coming to a set of lights (idling for a few minutes) it feels like the compressor disengages. Upon take off, it doesn't reengage (even after 5 minutes). I have to force the air con to turn on again by switching a/c switch off / and then back on again.

The times I have had toyota regas it, they say the lines are okay and no leak.

I can only hazard a gas but say that the compressor (seals) are gone and / or thermostat is on perminant holidays. Compressor would be the culprit.


Anyone like to add any thoughts? I'm really cheesed off, especially trying to cart around Mum and baby on 40 degree days here in Perth. Then have to take A/Leave days off work, cause Toyota doesn't do Saturdays.

I am ready to go into Toyota and rip someones head off, which isn't a sensible thing to do.

Options: Give my a dealer an ultimatum. Guarantee you fix it 3rd time otherwise you authorise me to go elsewhere and send you the repair bill?

2). Can I take it to a dealer other than where I bought it from?

[Gordo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordo]

Hi UpTheCreek -

Options: Give my a dealer an ultimatum. Guarantee you fix it 3rd time otherwise you authorise me to go elsewhere and send you the repair bill?

2). Can I take it to a dealer other than where I bought it from?

I realise its Christmas day, so Merry Xmas first of all - PradoPoint is so hard to keep away from with all the fantastic advice provided here.

Go see the service manager at the dealership if you already haven't done so. If you describe the symptoms as you have on PradoPoint then I suggest he should tell you there is a definate problem and he will fix it. Don't get the boy/girl at the front desk to hear your problems, get the manager. Also get them to give you a dealers car for your inconvenience - you will need to ring in advance for this.

2. Yes! Absolutely. Tell the manager when you go back that if this is not fixed on this service then you will go to either head office to seek advice, or go direct to another dealer - who will sort out the aircon issues and charge the fees back to the 1st dealer. He wont like that for sure.

Don't let the dealer try and wrap his fingers around you. They have already got your hard earned cash for the car purchase already and now should honour the warranty and FIX the Aircon.

Merry Xmas, happy new years.
Gordo[/quote]

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Thank You so much Gordo

Good to get an unbiased opinion.

I like the service manager bit. Will follow your advice to a tee and post back in a few weeks time.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas to all

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I second Gordo's approach.

Don't take any sh*t from them and be polite but firm.

I had a broken power seat adjuster that I mentioned at my last service. When I went to collect the car, I had the d*ckhead office boy tell me across a room full of people that they had checked it and that there was nothing wrong with it and that the seat must be at the limit of its travel. I responded that I was not that stupid that I didn't know when the seat reached the limit of its travel.

When I went out to the car, I checked it and they hadn't even looked at it. I went back in looking for the d*ckhead to give him a serve. He wasn't there, lucky for him. Got another guy to come out and check it - I told him that the other guy flat out just lied to me about having checked it. If they had looked at it, they would have realised that it was broken.

Some will tell you anything - they are just effin liars. The next bleeding heart who wants to chime in about "poor dealers" will get a bite on the bum from me! :evil:

[Gordo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordo]

The times I have had toyota regas it, they say the lines are okay and no leak.

If they have regassed twice, and it lasts for only a few weeks - then I bet my left n$^, that they are again pulling the wool over your eyes and you have a leak somewhere.

Most car dealers (not all dealers), like realestate agents, are after the SALE only. Once this is completed, your concerns are lower on their radar then the guy who is just about to purchase a new car.

If the service manager can not or will not rectify the problem, or treats you like you are 12 years old (most tend to do this), then ask to see the dealership manager. If you get the "He is not in at the moment" tell them that you will lay a formal complaint, and will name names to the management.

Don't take crap from the twerps. Get the job done to YOUR SATISFACTION.

Regards Again

Gordo

[Fazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fazza]

Up The Creek,
I had similar issues with my air conditioning when new, mine was a little different as in the compressor would not stay engaged for more than five seconds, no matter what the temperature & the longer it was on, the warmer the air from the vents on a hot day.

After three visits for the same complaint it was eventually fixed.
Prior to it being fixed, all that was done was check the gas.

Action happened after showing my disapproval in a nice manner & leaving the car for a week as long as I had a loan vehicle.

My Dealer was very good about the whole issue & Toyota service department claimed it to be with the thermostat (no proof but it does work now)

Keep at them,

Have a Happy New Year,
Cheers,
Fazza

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

If any of the above suggestions still get you nowhere, would taking the vehicle to another reputable dealership help?

Failing that, Toyota customer service would then be my port of call.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

reputable dealership

Do these two words really go together?

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

reputable dealership

Do these two words really go together?

No, you're right. :lol:

I thought maybe if he knew someone who knew someone from a dealership... he might be looked after more seriously. 8)

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Thanks for everyone's responses, this site always delivers!

SSbaby, yes I do know someone from another dealer. Bought 2 x company cars a few months back (Camry & Aurion). He looked after me on price ands gave my Prado a free 15,000km service, with log books stamped.

I will give my current place one last shot and put the hard work on them:

Fix it or:

1). Complaint in writing to dealer principal
2). Complaint to Head Office
3). Pull my business and go to the place where I purchased company vehicles and get them to charge back the costs to original dealer.

Or all of the above.

Will keep everyone posted.

Cheers Again!

Have a safe and prosperous New Years!

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Problem Solved!

Spoke with the Service Manager yesterday, told me to bring it in this morning to do a quick checkover and plan of attack.

Took it in 9am, meeting with the Service Manager and Foreman.

I was very civil, did not mention anything about taking the matter further, Head Office, another dealer etc...

Told them exactly the problem and left it to them to find the solution.

2.5 hours later: Problem solved.

The problem?

After purchasing the Prado in Mar, 2 weeks later I took it to an aftermatket stereo place and got the Eclipse AVN6000 installed. Toyota claims that stereo installer mucked something up and it wasn't closing propely between heat and cold (air vent / switch?).

No charge.

I don't 100% trust the above explanation as the car clearly needed to get gassed twice.

On the flipside, who cares? Air con works sensationally now, I love it when its on for 20 minutes and the head feels like its frozen solid.

Fixed in time for Myalup / Preston for Sat / Sun.

Thanks all and have a Happy New Year!

[Gordo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordo]

Sounds like its a new car again - I would have liked to be a fly on the wall waiting for you to rip into them. No need it seems. Keep an eye out for the cooling effect in the next few weeks.

I also dont buy their explanation. Enjoy Cool Prado-ing Up The Creek

Gordo

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I'm stunned:

1) that your prob was fixed so quickly; and

2) that you could possibly think that the dealer may have BS'd you!

Good onya mate. Glad it all got worked out in the end. :wink:

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hmmm, i just love some of those aftermarket stereo places NOT

[PradoD4D Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close PradoD4D]

Had problem with new car previously (not the Prado) where the air conditioning did not work on delivery and a o-ring in the system was not sealing properly and letting the gas out. Took a few visits to fix the problem.