hi. one day the van coughed when starting up. i smelled a slight and brief burning smell. while driving it, i noticed the battery gauge was flat lined. all the other gauges looked normal. i turned off the a/c and drove it 40 miles to a garage. i suspected the alternator. so did they. they removed the alternator and found that it was ok and reinstalled it. they called and said the problem was the master fuse and replaced it. when i got the van back, the a/c blew warm air and the radio is dead. now they said the a/c compressor is no good. not sure what happened to the radio. any ideas?
i'm guessing the compressor went..or something isn't telling it to start up. i checked the fuses in the fuse box..they are all ok.
Anything is possible on a 24-year-old vehicle but it is awfully coincidental that this happened right after it was in the shop. However if the master fuse (probably a fusible link) burned out that suggest a serious electrical problem that may have affected other components in the electrical system. More electrical testing is needed, like checking that the affected items are receiving power.
trust is an isssue
It pays to be cautious. However the fact that this shop didn't just blindly replace your alternator and charge you for it suggests that they are willing to do at least some diagnosis (not just parts changers) and are at least somewhat trustworthy.
If you are unable to do the needed troubleshooting yourself you'll need a shop to do it and the cost could quickly escalate to the point where it would be more than the van is worth.
Is the compressor clutch engaging? What are your high and low AC system pressures? Is the radio getting power (fuse OK)?
makes me give all of this more thought and maybe consultation at another garage.
It's certainly a good idea to get a second opinion in any event for what may wind up being expensive repairs. Stay away from dealers and chains, try to find a good independent shop.
i'm guessing the compressor went..or something isn't telling it to start up. i checked the fuses in the fuse box..they are all ok. i'm wondering if they didn't short something out when messing with the alternator. i don't know much about cars, but.....sure is suspicious that those 2 things all of a sudden don't work. tomorrow i'm going to get under the hood and see if there is a loose or disconnected ground wire. it's got to be in there somewhere. everything else in the van works. AND..the a/c and radio were working just fine on the way to the garage. i'm an older woman and ..well.....trust is an isssue. maybe the compressor is now shot....but what happened to the radio? i'm baffled.
thanks. i agree about the alternator truth.
however, i think i'll cancel monday's appointment as i'm not comfortable. i don't like the way they shrugged off the radio issue. sorta makes me question the rest of the work.
thanks for your input. makes me give all of this more thought and maybe consultation at another garage. i failed to mention the van is a class B motor home and i'm staying in it.
again, thanks. i appreciate all you said.
ann
will do. thanks.
btw: i loved my rambler.