[geotracks]

I have a 2007 Hyundai Getz GLS. The AC has not been working for sometime (1+ year). When turned on, some 'fresh' air is circulated, but not much cool air. Since it was slightly better than only blowing normal room temperature air (there was minor cooling), I had not attended to it immediately.

Finally now that summer is approaching, went to local Hyundai service center last weekend and gave my Getz for regular servicing + AC repair. They said, they'll have to open the dash and have a look inside and do a cleaning up of the entire AC system. If any parts need replacement, they'd call me. The same afternoon they called me and said that the evaporator was bust and that they would need to replace it. Total cost of regular servicing + AC repair including labor around INR 13.2K. The AC work alone was a little over INR 8K.

Having no choice, told them to go ahead. The following day took home delivery of the car. The Hyundai driver dropping off the car assured me that they checked everything and it was cooling properly. However, when I drove it a bit, did not find it blowing chill air. He said, it was hot outside and that I should try it when outside temperature cools down. That evening tried it again in the basement garage. It blew cool air for sometime and then again regular air.

Called up Hyundai and they said they'll take a look again at the issue. Another Hyundai driver came and picked up my Getz. Earlier today got a call from the service center saying they checked everything. All was fine, except that the condenser was causing the issue. I was told that they tried cleaning and 'fixing' it but the AC blows cold air for sometime and then goes back to blowing normal air. Recommendation now is to replace the condenser. They said that they are sure that after replacing the condenser, it should start blowing cold air.

But here is the issue. They said they did not have any stock of condensers with them currently. They also checked with all other Hyundai dealerships in Hyderabad, but none had the Getz condenser in stock and that I'd have to wait for a couple of days until new stock arrives.

So that's where things stand. Will provide an update once the condenser replacement job is done.

Meanwhile, any thoughts / suggestions on this topic are welcome!

[pixantz]

Originally Posted by geotracks

tried cleaning and 'fixing' it but the AC blows cold air for sometime and then goes back to blowing normal air. Recommendation now is to replace the condenser. They said that they are sure that after replacing the condenser, it should start blowing cold air.



But here is the issue. They said they did not have any stock of condensers with them currently. They also checked with all other Hyundai dealerships in Hyderabad, but none had the Getz condenser in stock and that I'd have to wait for a couple of days until new stock arrives.



So that's where things stand. Will provide an update once the condenser replacement job is done.



Meanwhile, any thoughts / suggestions on this topic are welcome!

This all looks more than fishy to me. If they are an Authorised service centre, how could they not diagnose a faulty condenser in the first instance and after syphoning off 13k and naming some other part as faulty and when customer complains again only did they realise that there is an issue? Highly suspect goings on, I say.

First thing I'd suggest is going to a FNG Ac guy and asking him to look under the dash, remove the cabin-filter cover and try to see if at all they have put a fresh cooling coil in your car ( not sure if all Getz Models have this cover). It's possible to see it in most cars if you know how to look and an Ac guy would know. It's a 2 minute job. If the coil appears shining and fresh then it's ok. If it looks old and stained then that means you have been taken for a ride already and they're getting ready for round two. If so, how you would tackle them is your call.

Now coming to condensers, as far as Getz models are concerned, availability is a huge issue. Even in most metros. It's an offbeat model, you see. And even if it's available, the Getz spares are astronomical in price to say the least. A normal Getz condensor is somewhere in the vicinity of about 9.5K I think. And if it's a Getz Prime you're talking something like 19K, if my memory serves me right. Don't mention this to them. Just see what they will quote.

If you have salvage yards in your town you could procure one for about 2.5K odd. But then that would be an FNG route. ASS won't do it for you.

Just my two cents.

[geotracks]

Update:
Hyundai managed to get a condenser for my Getz from another local dealer.

Today Hyundai SA called saying that the condenser has been fitted. Then came the 'but'. He said that the cooling is still not to the point and that the technician is now saying the compressor is working but not optimally. He was recommending now replacing the compressor, cost quoted INR 21K .

I was a like, 'what!!!!". You guys couldn't tell me on day 1 that all 3 (evaporator, condenser & now compressor) parts need to be replaced? Total cost of all these 3 component is in the range of INR 35K. I have already paid for the evaporator as they said that the AC was working. That was not true. I had to send the car back for condenser replacement. I am refusing to pay INR 7.5K for condenser and have told them that this was a totally incorrect diagnosis & advice on part of the Hyundai technician / SA. Had I known I would not even have replaced the evaporator to start with or at least thought at the time of other available options. This is not correct that one after another they keep saying some other part now needs to be replaced for the AC to work.

I am really in a situation now.
(i) Should I let go of the INR 7K for the evaporator that I have already paid and they invoiced for it earlier and ask them to remove the new condenser, re-fit my original condenser and show it to a local outside AC shop
(ii) Go ahead with a condenser at INR 21K + INR 7.5K for condenser and hope the AC starts working
(iii) Just think the evaporator was bad debt (INR 7K) and keep driving just the way it is, with very little to no AC

Anyone knowing a good AC repair shop in Hyderabad (Cyberabad area), please let me know.

[Mortis]

Ask them to remove the new parts and take it to a trusted FNG who will in turn recommend a good AC guy. Anyways Hyndai parts are easily available outside so dont worry about that.

[pixantz]

Originally Posted by geotracks

I was a like, 'what!!!!". You guys couldn't tell me on day 1 that all 3 (evaporator, condenser & now compressor) parts need to be replaced? Total cost of all these 3 component is in the range of INR 35K.

I told you these guys were fishy. There are two possibilities.
1) they are taking you for a royal ride.
2) they are genuine idiots. D

Either way you stand to lose. Tell them firmly and sternly that they can keep their diagnosis' to themselves and you want no part of it. Ask them to remove everything they fitted and give the car as it was. Go to an FNG and get it done promptly.

[geotracks]

Thanks pixants & Mortis. I was also thinking on similar lines.

I have been going to this Hyundai ASS for past 8 years and have a personal rapport with the manager. I have to say that the intentions of the manager are good (based on past so many years experience) but it is the crew that actually works on the car have a very 'commercial' attitude and not 'customer centric'.

My suspicion is that the technicians who actually work on the vehicles have a slipshod attitude. I think the only thing they may be trained is for pulling out malfunctioning parts and fitting new ones. They do not bother to be customer centric and try to advise on how things can be repaired / fixed. They care least about cost implications to the end customer.

Anyways, I have pushed back and told the SA yesterday that they better try to fix what is currently in place and not just throw out parts and replace with new ones. In principle he agreed and said his would talk to the manager & technician and revert. He did also re-confirm that for sure the evaporator was blocked and definitely needed replacement and also that the condenser had leaks which cannot be 'repaired' as the aluminum pipes are very small and intricate and really one has to replace the entire component.

The car is still with the ASS currently as I am refusing to accept their recommendation for fitting a new compressor without proper diagnosis of the problem. The technician actually working on the car on the first day itself, should have 'tested' all components and they provided a holistic advice and not a piece meal approach which puts stress on the end customer who keeps guessing what is it next that the technician is now going to come up with.

[drivelust]

I have a question on the AC of my 2012 Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 SX. For about a month now, if the AC is run on "AUTO", only hot air of varying air speeds keep coming out of the vent (never switches to cold air even if I wait for say 10 minutes). However, if I switch "AUTO" off and run the AC manually - the cooling is fine. Also a minor knocking/rattling sound comes from the AC system (it lasts for about 30 seconds) whenever the AC system is switched on. Since the car is way out of warranty - I took it to a Bosch approved service station near our place - but they couldn't locate what is wrong. Before I take the car to Advaith Hyundai (who, based on my previous experience with them, will surely bill me a substantial sum) - wanted to run it past BHPians for pointers.

[RocketRaccoon]

I have the same problem with my i20 (1st gen). Does your rattling noise go like - Kat Kat Kat ? Some times it gets so bad friends have started joking that Bethsheeba from The Conjuring lives inside the dash :-D. Since the cooling has also gone down maybe the refrigerant gas has reduced causing the compressor actuator to click constantly I suppose. I need to take my car to an FNG too. Will give you an update soon.

[CarMind]

Hi, need some advise on the A/C issue of my Hyundai i10 1.2 2009 model. Last year in March, I faced an issue with the AC as it stopped giving any cool air and only the blower was working with room temperature air being thrown in. I got it checked with the authorized Hyundai Service Center. To my horror, they mentioned that the entire AC assembly including the compressor unit would need a replacement. For second opinion, I visited few trusted AC specialist outside who mentioned the same issue. Infact, the cost estimate provided was also similar (i believe due to the standard cost for company compressor unit) and hence i decided to get the things sorted in a Hyundai ASS. The invoice mentions the following part description that were changed:-
1) Refrigerant
2) Desiccant- Receiver Drier
3) Hose- Discharge
4) Compressor Assembly
The AC worked fine after that for the entire last year. However, I am experiencing the same problem yet again from the last week (no cold/ very mildly cold air blowing through the vents). One thing worth mentioning is that the AC air becomes cool as the accelerator is depressed (increase in RPM) and the air again comes to normal temperature on releasing the accelerator. Hyundai ASS provided a warranty of 6 months from last year on the new AC assembly which is now over. Seeking some inputs and advise from the fellow members in this respect. Thanks.
Regards,

[CarMind]

@Mods: Apologies for the back to back post but the earlier post did not receive any suggestions and hence re-posting. Please advise if the post suits better in some other thread?

Dear Members,
I am planning to visit HASS this weekend and hence would be great if i can get some guidance on the topic. I checked again with the HASS regarding the AC compressor warranty to which they mentioned a time of only 6 months. Considering the AC compressor assembly to be a stand alone unit (not sure from which OEM), i think the individual warranty on the compressor assembly should probably be higher to a tone of at least 1-5 years. Is there a way to check this out? Any inputs on this would be highly appreciated.

[carbhp]

I have a situation on my i20 2010 with 61K in odometer.

I typically drive with windows down and A/C off on mornings. I noticed weird thing recently where the warm air comes out of front vents and my legs are also getting warm air and uncomfortable.

I had manually close the vents to avoid this.

Is this normal?

[pixantz]

Originally Posted by CarMind

The invoice mentions the following part description that were changed:-
1) Refrigerant
2) Desiccant- Receiver Drier
3) Hose- Discharge
4) Compressor Assembly
The AC worked fine after that for the entire last year. However, I am experiencing the same problem yet again from the last week (no cold/ very mildly cold air blowing through the vents). One thing worth mentioning is that the AC air becomes cool as the accelerator is depressed (increase in RPM) and the air again comes to normal temperature on releasing the accelerator.

If a whole ac overhaul was done according to how you said, then it should work for almost 4-5 years at least, or more for you. That said, you having the same problem again, doesn't mean the reason would have to be the same also. It could be another new gremlin cropped up in the system and the only way to get to know what it is, is to get it diagnosed! Why are you speculating that that the same issue has resurfaced?

[--gKrish--]

Originally Posted by carbhp

I have a situation on my i20 2010 with 61K in odometer.

I typically drive with windows down and A/C off on mornings. I noticed weird thing recently where the warm air comes out of front vents and my legs are also getting warm air and uncomfortable.

I had manually close the vents to avoid this.

Is this normal?

Most cars these days with climate control lets the hot coolant into the heater core all the time and only the mixing with cold air is adjusted with the temperature control unlike the earlier method of controlling the flow of coolant. I presume that your cars fresh air mode is on and the temperature is set above the atmospheric temperature. If your car has climate control, then try lowering the temperature to minimum without turning on the compressor and also switch to recirculate mode.

[pixantz]

Originally Posted by carbhp

I have a situation on my i20 2010 with 61K in odometer.

I typically drive with windows down and A/C off on mornings. I noticed weird thing recently where the warm air comes out of front vents and my legs are also getting warm air and uncomfortable.

I had manually close the vents to avoid this.

Is this normal?

If you have Automatic Climate Control, then the direction of airflow is controlled by the temperature you set on your ac. Somewhere after 24-27 degrees, if I'm not wrong, the air starts coming from foot vents too and if you go higher temperature then it comes only from foot. Some default settings it has. It's how it's supposed to be. But if you don't want it, I think you can always change it with the "MODE" button. That will however take you out of Auto mode. Correct me if I'm wrong, Hyundai riders. Maybe you didn't notice it before?

[Maverick_x1]

Hey guys, does anyone have references to a good AC checkup place in Bangalore? My Verna AC is happily blowing warm air and does not seem to work anymore. A.S.S is asking for 3 days to get it checked which does not really work for me.