Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET

wannabe-elite · 17th October 2011, 14:51

I am in the process of buying or making a decision about FIAT Linea T-JET.

I will post a detailed narration of the whole shebang later .. but I've a specific question to ask the forumers.

I am working with VST Motors, The test drives went well, and I knew this is my car. Have been to the stock-yard twice, as of now.. looking at the cars that have not been through their official PDI yet.

Checked 3 cars of different colors, with varying month of manufacture from March to May.

In all of them the AC was not working. Turn it up, and wait for several minutes .. still blowing hot air. The salesperson swears thats so untypical of FIAT, and esp. the improved TJET PLUS.

On further probing, found that the pressure of the refrigerant was low.. a boy in the stockyard pushed a pin at the lowside and saw the discharge was low pressure.

The same happened for 3 cars. And, I was told that they could fix it. I was not happy, I mean, if it leaks over the time .. and I know this is a tricky car issue and this gas leak could happen in a few places..

The manager was indicating that this would have been detected in the PDI. But my point still stands,.. is'nt the company assembled A/C system supposed to be fully functional? If its leaking ..its indicative of more problems to come.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

DRIV3R · 17th October 2011, 15:11

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

nishantgandhi · 17th October 2011, 16:26

DRIV3R is right. And usually the stockyard cars are dangerously low on fuel (2-3 ltrs at the max)

FanaticOnWheels · 17th October 2011, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

That was some useful piece of information. Thanks!

Speed Pujari · 17th October 2011, 17:18

I was about to put up this problem in my ownsership thread. My AC Compressor seal conked off 2 weeks back. The AC stopped cooling. This happened to one more friend of mine who owns T-Jet.

The AC got repaired anyways for no cost, but I am totally doubtful about the Fiat quality control.
God only knows when will they start working on it.

deetjohn · 17th October 2011, 17:20

Wow!

Thanks DRIV3R. I didn't know about this feature on the Fiat at all.

And this instance more or less sums up the state of Fiat in our country. A well thought out feature on the car becoming a hindrance for the sale itself.

I am not blaming the customer here. I am sure 'wannabe-elite' would have been delighted to hear about this from the Fiat guys themselves and he would have taken the T-Jet home with pride.

People in sales should know their products well. Most times, they try to act smart and beat around the bush if they can't handle a question. What's the problem in checking with the correct sources and getting back to the customer with the actual fact? And it is to everyone' benefit here. And this is true across all brands.

And Fiat India will do well to train their sales team thoroughly. As far as I have seen, the Linea and Punto have a lot of features in them which are not marketed and are not realized by the customers even after long usage.

I feel bad.

vigsom · 18th October 2011, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabe-elite

found that the pressure of the refrigerant was low.. a boy in the stockyard pushed a pin at the lowside and saw the discharge was low pressure.
The same happened for 3 cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

If the low fuel level theory is true,then the Compressor will not turn on;but the refrigerant pressure should be normal,right? how is it that pushing the low pr side pin showed lo pressure?

wannabe-elite · 18th October 2011, 07:37

Thanks to DRIV3R & vigsom, and others who chimed in.

Yes, the fuel level was precariously low.. as in most stockyard cars. I am surprised the rep did'nt offer to put some .. although I did'nt particularly ask him to. But just wondered why they are so low.

And, it is true that I did'nt hear any discernible compressor "sound" on looking under the hood.

And, it is true that the gas level was low.

And, the person who I asked to chekc the gas level also suggested "compressor won't turn on when gas is low".

So, we have a couple of scenario

1) Low fuel prevented compressor turning ON - if this is true and can be proven then I've no problem looking at the vehicle again
2) Compressor was running but was too noiseless for me to hear it, but the gas is too low causing no cooling
3) Low refrigerant/gas level prevented compressor turning ON

If 2) or 3), whats the root cause of the low gas level ... hvac casing leaks or hose leaks? I cannot imagine that the car did'nt have enough gas pumped in. A stockyard guy suggested this, and it seems an improbable ... how would this have passed their final inspection at the assembly?

ghodlur · 18th October 2011, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

Would the best way to test the AC be to top up the fuel and take a test drive or test the AC itself. Surely the dealer can afford it. Is this feature only Fiat, does it apply to other brands too coz I remember doing the PDI for Fiesta in the stockyard and the AC was working.

PGNarain · 18th October 2011, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

Thanks DRIVR, this is news to me, will have to try it out sometime on my T-Jet.

Wannabe, if the above is true, the salesperson should have been aware of it and if not him then the technician. This does not bode well for the sales outlet, if they are so unaware of this shortcoming/feature then they really need to pull up their socks. You might want to look at another Showroom which is better informed.

Palio_2005 · 18th October 2011, 15:35

I can understand one car having an AC problem, but 3 cars with A/C failure is something I can't understand. Strange...

ghodlur · 18th October 2011, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palio_2005

I can understand one car having an AC problem, but 3 cars with A/C failure is something I can't understand. Strange...

Since all the three are at the stockyard they must be low on fuel and as Driv3r pointed out to the feature of Fiat the AC would not work in either of them.

anandpadhye · 18th October 2011, 16:46

Golden rule: Never peep into a restaurant's kitchen...and a dealer's stockyard

.

Forget the A/C and enjoy the torque of the T-jet.

wannabe-elite · 18th October 2011, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Golden rule: Never peep into a restaurant's kitchen...and a dealer's stockyard

.

Forget the A/C and enjoy the torque of the T-jet.

but when its fiat is whats cooking, every customer becomes a health inspector armed with a microscope and team-bhp manuals

SirAlec · 18th October 2011, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.

I have never heard of this anywhere even in expensive cars. Can you please elaborate on the source. manuals etc. This is news to me and most of the members here.

17th October 2011, 14:51	#1
wannabe-elite Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: chennai Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET I am in the process of buying or making a decision about FIAT Linea T-JET. I will post a detailed narration of the whole shebang later .. but I've a specific question to ask the forumers. I am working with VST Motors, The test drives went well, and I knew this is my car. Have been to the stock-yard twice, as of now.. looking at the cars that have not been through their official PDI yet. Checked 3 cars of different colors, with varying month of manufacture from March to May. In all of them the AC was not working. Turn it up, and wait for several minutes .. still blowing hot air. The salesperson swears thats so untypical of FIAT, and esp. the improved TJET PLUS. On further probing, found that the pressure of the refrigerant was low.. a boy in the stockyard pushed a pin at the lowside and saw the discharge was low pressure. The same happened for 3 cars. And, I was told that they could fix it. I was not happy, I mean, if it leaks over the time .. and I know this is a tricky car issue and this gas leak could happen in a few places.. The manager was indicating that this would have been detected in the PDI. But my point still stands,.. is'nt the company assembled A/C system supposed to be fully functional? If its leaking ..its indicative of more problems to come. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance
	() Thanks

17th October 2011, 15:11	#2
DRIV3R Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: India Posts: 1,941 Thanked: 2,361 Times	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET AFAIK, these cars have a feature wherein the compressor does not turn on when the car is critically low on fuel. And I believe this is the case here. Chill! Enjoy ur jet.
	(14) Thanks

17th October 2011, 16:26	#3
nishantgandhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,223 Thanked: 156 Times	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET DRIV3R is right. And usually the stockyard cars are dangerously low on fuel (2-3 ltrs at the max)
	() Thanks

17th October 2011, 17:18	#5
Speed Pujari BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 429 Thanked: 399 Times View My Garage	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET I was about to put up this problem in my ownsership thread. My AC Compressor seal conked off 2 weeks back. The AC stopped cooling. This happened to one more friend of mine who owns T-Jet. The AC got repaired anyways for no cost, but I am totally doubtful about the Fiat quality control. God only knows when will they start working on it.
	() Thanks

17th October 2011, 17:20	#6
deetjohn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kochi Posts: 4,529 Thanked: 10,594 Times View My Garage	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET Wow! Thanks DRIV3R. I didn't know about this feature on the Fiat at all. And this instance more or less sums up the state of Fiat in our country. A well thought out feature on the car becoming a hindrance for the sale itself. I am not blaming the customer here. I am sure 'wannabe-elite' would have been delighted to hear about this from the Fiat guys themselves and he would have taken the T-Jet home with pride. People in sales should know their products well. Most times, they try to act smart and beat around the bush if they can't handle a question. What's the problem in checking with the correct sources and getting back to the customer with the actual fact? And it is to everyone' benefit here. And this is true across all brands. And Fiat India will do well to train their sales team thoroughly. As far as I have seen, the Linea and Punto have a lot of features in them which are not marketed and are not realized by the customers even after long usage. I feel bad.
	(1) Thanks

18th October 2011, 07:37	#8
wannabe-elite Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: chennai Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET Thanks to DRIV3R & vigsom, and others who chimed in. Yes, the fuel level was precariously low.. as in most stockyard cars. I am surprised the rep did'nt offer to put some .. although I did'nt particularly ask him to. But just wondered why they are so low. And, it is true that I did'nt hear any discernible compressor "sound" on looking under the hood. And, it is true that the gas level was low. And, the person who I asked to chekc the gas level also suggested "compressor won't turn on when gas is low". So, we have a couple of scenario 1) Low fuel prevented compressor turning ON - if this is true and can be proven then I've no problem looking at the vehicle again 2) Compressor was running but was too noiseless for me to hear it, but the gas is too low causing no cooling 3) Low refrigerant/gas level prevented compressor turning ON If 2) or 3), whats the root cause of the low gas level ... hvac casing leaks or hose leaks? I cannot imagine that the car did'nt have enough gas pumped in. A stockyard guy suggested this, and it seems an improbable ... how would this have passed their final inspection at the assembly?
	() Thanks

18th October 2011, 15:35	#11
Palio_2005 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,030 Thanked: 961 Times	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET I can understand one car having an AC problem, but 3 cars with A/C failure is something I can't understand. Strange...
	() Thanks

18th October 2011, 16:46	#13
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 3,347 Times	Re: Defective A/C in the pre-PDI stockyard FIAT T-JET Golden rule: Never peep into a restaurant's kitchen...and a dealer's stockyard . Forget the A/C and enjoy the torque of the T-jet.
	() Thanks