Car issues
 

So we have this 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan and the air conditioning stopped working a couple weeks back. Wednesday of last week we took it in to the local Dodge dealership to have that as well as a minor power steering hose recall done. They called back and said they did the recall thingy, but that we needed a new a/c compressor, and they didn't have one, they would have to order it, apparently it was backordered, etc.

They now have the part in but they first available service date for this 3 hour job is Tuesday of next week.

The problem is, we are driving down to NC to visit my parents on Saturday, and I'd rather do it with a/c than without. This is really obnoxious. Blech.

Tell them that is not acceptable, and you need a van with functional AC. They can either fix yours sooner, or give you a loaner minivan (or vehicle sufficiently sized to hold your brood and luggage) for your trip.

Oh, and not charge you for mileage on the loaner.

Get really, really indignant.

what dealer is it?

Call local places, small shops, and see if they can rescue you. If they have open mechanic time tomorrow, they may bend over backwards to get the part you need and STILL wind up cheaper than the dealer.

no. don't do that. you need help here, not a fight. everyone in the world's a/c breaks 1 week before vacation. tuesday of next week is not an unusually long wait. it doesn;t work for you, but that isn;t their problem.

if you have a service contract, there may be more options.

they could buy the part from the other dealer. i might ...MIGHT...be able to pull a string or two to that end.

First, I'd like to thank lumberjim for a bit of judicious string-pulling which resulted in us having the a/c for our trip. I owe you a big one.

Second, I just learned today that the dealer, McGarrity-Moser in Havertown, is closing as of 6:00PM tomorrow. I'm given to understand that Daimler-Chrysler is pulling their franchise.

Wow, Jimbo really plays hardball!

innocent!

pfft. They'll reopen Monday as a Nissan Dealership.