[diyguy]

I had a problem with the Center A/C blower on my qualis GS model. The left side fan was not working. Asked Lanson to look at it and those wonderful scientists told me I need to change the whole unit at approximately 30K. So I searched on this site and found 2 A/C mechanics of repute in Chennai - NSK Auto (Anna Nagar) and Suresh Car A/C (T Nagar). I finally ended up at Suresh and he promptly told me 'need to remove unit and check'. Usually nothing goes wrong with it so will be minor and quoted me Rs 1800 for removal, gas release, and full gas filling. He started releasing the gas and suddenly had a brainwave that it could be the fuse... and it was indeed the fuse - a Rs. 5 problem, I had to shell out Rs. 600 for the refill.
Wanted this out here so it could benefit others.

[dhanushs]

I'm surprised that the 'fuse' issue was over looked!. Isnt it the very 1st place someone would look for an issue?.

[ghpk]

assuming Lanson is Authorized service station as those people are prone to suggest replacing whole unit, had similar answer for my santro too.

However Suresh you've mentioned should have checked it on first place, or he should not have charged you for refill,
anyway Rs.600 is much much better than 30k quote.

Atleast you've left a good reference for future readers.

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by ghpk

assuming Lanson is Authorized service station as those people are prone to suggest replacing whole unit, had similar answer for my santro too.

However Suresh you've mentioned should have checked it on first place, or he should not have charged you for refill,
anyway Rs.600 is much much better than 30k quote.

Atleast you've left a good reference for future readers.

Lanson is the oldest Toyota Dealer in Tamil Nadu. I have raised an incident against their credibility and intend speaking to their Service Manager on Monday. It is utter BS they have been giving me. I have had this A/C problem for the past 10 months and the car has visited them 3 times since for regular service and for some paint job, but each time they claimed the unit needs to be changed.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by diyguy

Asked Lanson to look at it and those wonderful scientists told me I need to change the whole unit at approximately 30K.

He started releasing the gas and suddenly had a brainwave that it could be the fuse... and it was indeed the fuse - a Rs. 5 problem, I had to shell out Rs. 600 for the refill.

Thanks for creating this thread, Diyguy. This is just one of the ways in which authorised service stations RIP OFF unsuspecting owners. Here's a link to my clutch scam discussion.

Lessons learnt:

1. Always use common sense

2. Get a second opinion before going ahead with expensive replacements

3. Remember, service advisors have revenue targets. Whatever they recommend - outside of the scheduled maintenance chart - take with a pinch of salt.

[raju2512]

Originally Posted by diyguy

I have had this A/C problem for the past 10 months and the car has visited them 3 times since for regular service and for some paint job, but each time they claimed the unit needs to be changed.

Something not clear here. If it is a fuse blow out you couldn't be having this problem for 10 months.

There could have been a problem with the blower and since you had reported the problem thrice in 10 months, the dealer had advised replacement. Due to the existing problem the fuse could have blown out. The problem might not have got solved by the fuse change.

If a fuse blows, particularly on equipments with captive power (not dependent on EB supply), merely replacing the fuse is wrong. You need to investigate the problem before changing the fuse.

Originally Posted by GTO

Remember, service advisors have revenue targets. Whatever they recommend - outside of the scheduled maintenance chart - take with a pinch of salt.

I fully agree here.

A few days back, my fridge went dead.(fuse blown) The authorised service person who visited us informed that compressor has failed and suggested that we replace the fridge since it was 7 years old under an exchange scheme.

I called a local mechanic who found the problem to be in the door switch and got it replaced at a total expense of Rs.400.

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by GTO

Thanks for creating this thread, Diyguy. This is just one of the ways in which authorised service stations RIP OFF unsuspecting owners. Here's a link to my clutch scam discussion.

Lessons learnt:

1. Always use common sense

2. Get a second opinion before going ahead with expensive replacements

3. Remember, service advisors have revenue targets. Whatever they recommend - outside of the scheduled maintenance chart - take with a pinch of salt.

So far I have not questioned any of their recommendations the past ten years. After this I definitely will not agree to anything without double checking. They have given me a large list of things to get done at an estimated cost of about 1.5 Lakhs including clutch overhaul, gearbox overhaul etc. I will try to post the list here.

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by raju2512

Something not clear here. If it is a fuse blow out you couldn't be having this problem for 10 months.

There could have been a problem with the blower and since you had reported the problem thrice in 10 months, the dealer had advised replacement. Due to the existing problem the fuse could have blown out. The problem might not have got solved by the fuse change.

If a fuse blows, particularly on equipments with captive power (not dependent on EB supply), merely replacing the fuse is wrong. You need to investigate the problem before changing the fuse.

The blower problem was that the left unit was not working, while the right one was. So due to this, we were able to manage our trips and it was not really urgent for me to get this sorted out. But each time when I took it to Lanson, I would mention it and they would say needs replacement. I dont know if they ever even checked it out. The fuse is local within the blower unit btw.