Apologies for the delayed response guys; not sure how I missed these posts.
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Originally Posted by Reinhard This is the actuator for the air re-circulation vent caps, not for any temperature control etc. When you put the mode to recirculate cabin air, this motor turns the flaps and closes the inlets - which otherwise bring in the fresh air from outside.
An issue similar to what you have reported had happened in a Vista TDI of my friend a decade ago.
This theory they have given of actuator etc seems quite imaginative at least to me. |
You could be right here, specially considering what they finally did, to resolve the issue. The Vista issue sounds quite similar as well. With this incident, I've now come to realize the BS story my TASS was selling me earlier about this issue; more on that below.
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I think in manually controlled AC cars like ours, the only thing that happens for temperature control by the rotary knob is the duration for which the compressor is turned ON and OFF. Nothing else.
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Apart from that, a change in the knob position ideally decides how much hot air is to be blended with the cool air, to achieve the desired temp (less cool). However, the source of this hot air flow is different in different cars. Apparently, in the case of Storme, this is regulated by the coolant temperature, unlike air temperature in some other cars.
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Originally Posted by sourabhzen My Storme has the same problem from Day 1. |
If you don't use the functionality, then IMHO don't bother to even bring it up with them.
Now coming to the resolution - so what they've fixed is nothing but a malfunctioning flap mechanism which basically controls the coolant flow, used for the AC temperature regulation in this case. Apparently, that was getting stuck in 'open' whenever the knob was rotated to the heating side, resulting in the constant hot air.
I'd to spend close to 2-3 hours with them, driving around in the blazing hot sun, playing with the knob, to make them understand what's wrong! This was, after they'd claimed to have 'fixed' it by replacing the actuator. I was actually called to take delivery of the vehicle, at the time; the problem resurfaced in the first 15 mins of a trial drive, as soon as the engine hit its operating temperature mark. The probe thermometer refused to budge from the 43-45 C even after pulling the knob back to full cool mode.
Anyway, I got to learn another Safari quirk in all this. Apparently, the only way to increase the temperature (less cool) is by first moving the knob to little past the half-way mark (12 o clock position) and then bring it back to a desired (less) cool zone. No matter how much I argued about why it just didn't make sense, I was made to eat my words when the test thermometer we carried along during the final trial drive, supported the theory; it barely moved when I changed it from full cool to about 60 % (10 o clock). Only when it was moved past the halfway and then brought back to that position, did the temperature increased and settled around 33-35 C.
All said and done, this was probably the worst service experience I've had so far, with this TASS. The car spent close to 3 weeks there with barely a day and half worth of work! To make matters worse, opening the dashboard twice, for a false 'actuator' issue, they've damaged the trim around the ICE, while trying to pry open the center console! The actual 'sticky' flap mechanism was just behind a panel on the driver's foot well. While I understand that such problems can be complex to diagnose and fix, the sheer mismanagement and lackadaisical attitude on the service floor really got my goat! I'd made clear that unless that damaged trim is replaced, I'll not take delivery of the vehicle. Finally, they agreed to put an order for the part, and gave it to me in writing (on invoice) that it'll be replaced for free once it arrives. Last week, my SA calls me to inform that the part has arrived, but they'll replace if I agree to bear 50% of the cost (12K approx. is the MRP)! I bluntly said NO, and asked him to call me once he gets the free replacement approved. After numerous tries to call them and not getting any response, I've finally raised a complaint on the TMSC app, still waiting on any further action.
Kindly be wary of Venkatramana Tata motors Hyderabad from here on!