Battery light on - Air conditioning compressor

ema87

Hi all

Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong place...just looking for some input and I know nothing about cars.

I was on a long 3 hour drivde yesterday and 2 hours in my battery light came on last night. I was nervous as it was night time and I was an hour outside of Dublin where I was driving and just said I would drive on to try get safely home.

I thought there might be a problem with my battery or I might need a new one. My biggest concern was the car going dead so this afternoon I started it and said I would bring it to a garage nearby (a mile away) and see if they could fix it.

When I went in, they took a look and came out with some belt from the car saying it had snapped and the problem was something to do with the air conditioning compressor and a pulley which would mean there is no power going to the battery. (Hope I'm explaining this correcty)

I was quoted 550e which I was told was 220e for the part and a few hours labour.

It sounds like a lot to me (2010 car) and that it was the cheapest they could fix it for. My local mechanic is 3 hours away and they advised me that I couldn't drive the car as it would go dead entirely.

I feel like I rushed into it a bit and and hoping that I haven't been fleeced but didn't really know what else to do when told the car is essentially stuck.

Does this sound right or plausible to anyone with car knowledge? I'd hope so because I'd hate to think that people would be ripped off because they clearly don't have a clue.

Thanks a mil.

coylemj

What kind of a 'garage' did you go to - by any chance was it a place that specialises in tyres? Did they show you a black rubber belt that had snapped?

ema87

coylemj wrote: »

What kind of a 'garage' did you go to - by any chance was it a place that specialises in tyres? Did they show you a black rubber belt that had snapped?

Yes!!!

Oh God sounds like a mess. Literally thought it would be a new battery or something.

ema87

coylemj wrote: »

What kind of a 'garage' did you go to - by any chance was it a place that specialises in tyres? Did they show you a black rubber belt that had snapped?

Yes!!!

Oh God sounds like a mess. Literally thought it would be a new battery or something.

coylemj

It sounds like a fan belt broke, the price you were quoted was criminal. Please tell us you didn't pay it and if you did, name the garage.

ema87

coylemj wrote: »

It sounds like a fan belt broke, the price you were quoted was criminal. Please tell us you didn't pay it and if you did, name the garage.

Well the guy who was there told me I'd need a new air conditioning compressor if that makes any sense. Asked how much it would cost and he said he would have to call and get a quote for the part.

He rang around a few places while I was there waiting...seemed legit enough. I could be totally wrong. He had the phone on speaker and was quoted 220 for the part.

All I know then is he told me it would be 550e including labour. I haven't paid anything yet but the car is there. I'm so annoyed now but was told I could in now way drive the car.

Sounds like I'm screwed...

Thanks.

coylemj

You can replace the fan belt and drive away, the air conditioning compressor is not an essential component of your car. This BS about the car not being drivable is their way of keeping you captive so they can screw you.

Tell them to replace the fan belt, you'll get the a/c compressor looked at later and you are taking the car away tomorrow.

I'm not sure if you answered my original question, what kind of a 'garage' is this - is it basically a tyre shop or is it a main dealer or an independent service centre?

coylemj

By the way, the function of that rubber belt is to turn the alternator (which charges the battery) and (if you have one), the air conditioning compressor. The belt connects a number of pulleys (small wheels) together, one of which is directly turned by the engine. When the belt breaks, the battery stops getting a charge and this causes the battery warning light on the dashboard to light up.

In all probability the only thing that you need is a new belt which they can fit in seconds and which should not cost more than €20.

ema87

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I'm so annoyed..it was a tyre place. I was a bit nervous incase the car would break down and nearest place I saw. I guess when I dropped the car in this evening around 4.30 I told them to go ahead which I suppose means I agreed to it.

I don't know if they did any work on the today. I guess all I can do is call first thing in the morning and see if they've done any work yet?

I presume there is no other way out and if they have il just have to suck it up? Thanks.

coylemj

ema87 wrote: »

I don't know if they did any work on the today. I guess all I can do is call first thing in the morning and see if they've done any work yet?

Don't phone them, go down (bring a friend) and be there when they open, get them to fit a new belt and do not pay a cent for any other part. If you phone them, they will claim they have the part and are in the process of fitting it.

Tyre shops (especially the chains) are notorious for this type of scam.

ema87

coylemj wrote: »

Don't phone them, go down (bring a friend) and be there when they open, get them to fit a new belt and do not pay a cent for any other part. If you phone them, they will claim they have the part and are in the process of fitting it.

God this is a disaster.

Thanks for the info. Il go down in the morning and just say I want the car back and that I'm not happy with the quote. Really don't want to get into a row seeing as I haven't a clue what I'm talking about. Hope they will just let me have it and they haven't done any work yet.

Furious and broke!

rex-x

coylemj wrote: »

You can replace the fan belt and drive away, the air conditioning compressor is not an essential component of your car. This BS about the car not being drivable is their way of keeping you captive so they can screw you.

Tell them to replace the fan belt, you'll get the a/c compressor looked at later and you are taking the car away tomorrow.

I'm not sure if you answered my original question, what kind of a 'garage' is this - is it basically a tyre shop or is it a main dealer or an independent service centre?

If the pulley on the aircon pump is damaged then a new belt cannot just be fitted as it requires all pulleys to be intact. Its a slim chance the OP only needs a new belt as aux belts dont snap without something else failing and making them snap so i'm inclined to think the garage are probably being fair here.

Also the car is not driveable in its current condition. It will die as soon as the battery voltage gets low enough and will have next to no lights.

ema87

rex-x wrote: »

If the pulley on the aircon pump is damaged then a new belt cannot just be fitted as it requires all pulleys to be intact. Its a slim chance the OP only needs a new belt as aux belts dont snap without something else failing and making them snap so i'm inclined to think the garage are probably being fair here.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't a.clue to be honest and don't really know what to do. If this is the case do you think this price seems average ish?

I honestly don't know what to think or if I should go down in the morning.

All I can say is there was a bit of a rattle from the car and when air con was on. Now I don't know if this means I had to get the new part or not.

Either way I'm guessing il just have to pay up....

rex-x

ema87 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I haven't a.clue to be honest and don't really know what to do. If this is the case do you think this price seems average ish?

I honestly don't know what to think or if I should go down in the morning.

All I can say is there was a bit of a rattle from the car and when air con was on. Now I don't know if this means I had to get the new part or not.

Either way I'm guessing il just have to pay up....

If you feel unsure then get a second opinion from an independent mechanic. If you need a new aircon compressor then the price quoted would be fair enough but its difficult to say for sure over the internet if you need one

For certain though if it is damaged you will have to repair it as the belt powers various components in a loop and all the pieces need to be present and working. What car is it?

coylemj

ema87 wrote: »

All I can say is there was a bit of a rattle from the car and when air con was on. Now I don't know if this means I had to get the new part or not.

That's the first time you mentioned that. Was that rattle there before the battery light came on?

ema87

coylemj wrote: »

That's the first time you mentioned that. Was that rattle there before the battery light came on?

Sorry! Yes mainly when the car started and kind of went away after a few minutes. Battery light then came on yesterday when driving.

rex-x

This is a very basic diagram of what is going on:





Your alternator recharges your battery but everything in the loop is powered by the same belt so if one thing fails you lose everything. What I would do is go ahead with the repair but ask for the old parts and post a picture here so we can say if you have gotten your moneys worth.

Cows Go µ

What kind of car is it? I'm not a car person at all and had a similar problem. The air con compressor broke and they were trying to get a second hand part for me but I have a Meriva and they are relatively rare here so it was difficult enough.

What they did in the meantime was fit a new belt that bypassed the air con. Mine broke in January so I could live without the air con for a bit and at least then I could drive the car