Help! They wrecked my truck

[DPelletier]

I was just out looking at my truck to check the routing of the block heater wire, when I noticed that the brackets that were installed to mount my driving lights are digging into the two "radiators" at the front of my truck! What are the two front ones? I assume that one is the transmission cooler and one is the evaporator coil. The small coil on the drivers side has a pce of angle iron rubbing on the rad itself and the larger coil on the passenger side looks like the angle rubbed right through the rigid line. There is a discoloration on the angle that looks like something leaked out

I guess now I'll take it back to Cap-it and show them what they have done , Then I'll take it to the dealer and see how much $$$ they want for new coils.

 

[MikeR]

The big "radiator" is the air conditioning condenser and the small "radiator" is the transmision cooler. If you see a moisture stain,then yes they are leaking. I hope they pay for their damage,because those a/c condenses are expensive.



-Mike

 

[MidwestMotorman]

costly

The condensers are expensive, but the labor to replace them and any other damaged equipment is costly too. Take a picture as insurance. Does your ac compressor cycle when the ac or defrost is not on? You should hear it kick in about every ten seconds or so if the system is low. If it has all leaked out, the compressor won't kick in at all.

 

[John]

Originally posted by MikeR

because those a/c condensers are expensive.

You ain't lyin' Mike! Doh!

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks Mike, that confirms which is which.

Its the AC coil pipe that has actually leaked out.

Nathan, the compressor is not coming on at all so I guess the freon charge is completely out.

Now that I think of it, my defrost didn't seem to work as well as it originally did these last couple of months.

Anyway, I did take the truck yesterday to Cap-It, where I got the PIAA's and they were very apologetic and vowed to make it right even if it means a new AC coil and transmission cooler. Dealership will be doing the work. I just want to make sure that it is as good as new, not just a quicky patch job I guess I am very lucky that I noticed the problem by accident rather than on the highway towing my trailer and having the transmission self-distruct after loosing all the fluid from the transmission cooler! Actually the boys over at Cap-It are lucky too!!

Thanks for the replies.



Oh, by the way, is there an idiot light or anything that comes on if you loose your transmission fluid (or transmission temps get too high)?

 

[CCBrady]

DPelletier, No, there is nothing from the factory that will tell you that something is going wrong with your transmission. If you get low on transmission fluid the truck will start to rev. up but wont go into gear, if it over heats several thing can happen and none of them are good. The best thing to do is get a temperature gage for the transmission, and check the fluid level regularly until you get the cooler replaced.

Good Luck with the repairs,

Chris

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks Chris,



I have booked an appointment for Tuesday am. I am hoping that they have the parts in stock. I'll just check the transmission fluid level every time before I drive the truck until then. I'll post to let everyone know how it worked out.

Thanks again everyone

Dave

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Nice to hear that a business is making things right. With all of the horror stories on the TDR these days, a little glimpse of hope is welcome.

 

[DPelletier]

Just wanted to let you guys know how the story ended. I took the truck in to the aftermarket shop on tuesday morning. They took the bumper off and drove the truck to the dealer. While the truck was at the dealer, they revised the light mounting brackets giving about 3/4" clearance to the coils and they added some of those door edge protector strips to the edge of the angle to provide further protection. In the meantime the dealership changed the A/C evap coil and recharged the system and also replaced the transmission cooler. Truck went back to Capit and bumper was reinstalled. Truck was washed and delivered to my office. Best part, I didn't see a bill !

Thanks for the replies.

 

[WCrovo]

Too bad you had to notice it. Don't you think they should of said something when they did it? S happens. I have a shop and if we screw something up I let the cust know imediately. Maybe they were hopeing you wouldn't notice.

 

[SteveAZ]

Originally posted by CCBrady

DPelletier, No, there is nothing from the factory that will tell you that something is going wrong with your transmission.

Well actually there is a "Trans Temp" light located on the instrument cluster.



I have no idea at what temp it will illuminate, but I assume it's like other "red" indicator lights that in this case will illuminate to inform you that you've just toasted your transmission and have a nice day. Thank you for shopping at DC Mart!



The guage is a good bet. The light, who knows. But it is factory and Dodge has had them on thier trucks and vans since the 70's.

 

[DPelletier]

WCrovo,



I think it was an honest mistake. The bumper was removed to mount the lights and then reinstalled. It wasn't as though someone had to jam the brackets into the coils to fit them in, they mounted them on the bumper then put the bumper bolts in, aligned it and tightened it in place. Obviously they should have checked the clearances, but they didn't. I would think that if they had looked and saw the clearance problem they would have done something about it because I don't think they were wrecked at this point. Looks more like vibration wore through the (aluminum?) coils over the 6 month period between when I had the lights mounted and when I noticed the problem. I haven't seen my copy of the work order from the dealer yet, but I am betting that they will have to sell alot of lights to make this one up! It is possible that the kid who did the install knew there was a problem, but I doubt it. I really believe that the store manager had no idea until I showed him. Everyone makes mistakes, its how you accept responsibility for them later that is the true indication of your character. I'll keep dealing at this store, but I think I learned a valuable lesson in that I should check the work myself to make sure that I am satisfied. If I would have looked at the light mounting brackets when I first picked the truck up instead of playing with the switch and seeing how bright the lights were, I could have saved everyone alot of trouble!

I know I shouldn't have to babysit, but... ... .



Dave