Climatronic Heater & Footwell Flap Motors

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:07 pm

Been whinging about the amount of condensation and misting inside my (out of warranty) GTi in wet weather for a while, and got the dealers to check it out when I took it in for its service.

They diagnosed that a new heater flap motor and new floorwell flap motor is needed. They also gave me an estimate of costs for parts and labour

I've seen a few mentions of Climatronic misting problems in other threads. Is this a real problem with these flap motors?...Has anyone else had to replace both of these?.......Presumably if this is a common problem (or design fault) I'm likely to have to stump up again in 3-4 years time!

Any other advice welcome!!

Cheers

cyhliu · Post by **cyhliu** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:45 pm

It does seem to be a common problem with the GTIs, however I can't remember ever seeing that someone had reported any problems with their flaps (no laughing!).

Anyone else have any ideas, to me personally I feel like the dealer is trying to scam you out of money so I would get a second opinion...or at least some confirmation from the rest of these guys!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:38 pm

You might have seen my post a while ago about excessive condensation inside the car. Since then its been back to VW who diagnosed the aircon recirculation flap motor was faulty. Part was replaced a couple weeks ago, and touch wood its all ok again. I did get the impression it was something they had seen before!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:49 pm

Just read the post from cyhliu again! I found the statement about the dealer trying to scam money very odd! I work in the aftersales department of a brand similar to VW, all I will say is in this day and age no manufactured back dealer (which is what all VW dealers are effectivley now!) is going to waste time trying to scam money out of unspecting customers. And to be honest why would they even bother, I bet if you rang round your local VW dealers you would find they had a nice lot of bookings for at least a week which means they have more than enough work, and lots of work equals legit ways of making money, and not scaming customers!

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 8:56 pm

Thanks for the responses guys - I think I will need to get the work done....but will do a bit more shopping around first. I was just a bit gobsmacked by the quote that I was given initially!!

Cheers!

dubpolo · Post by **dubpolo** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:28 pm

yea so cyhliu! you've been told! now bend over and take your spanking like a man.

bstardchild · Post by **bstardchild** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:36 pm

Sputnik wrote:Just read the post from cyhliu again! I found the statement about the dealer trying to scam money very odd! I work in the aftersales department of a brand similar to VW, all I will say is in this day and age no manufactured back dealer (which is what all VW dealers are effectivley now!) is going to waste time trying to scam money out of unspecting customers. And to be honest why would they even bother, I bet if you rang round your local VW dealers you would find they had a nice lot of bookings for at least a week which means they have more than enough work, and lots of work equals legit ways of making money, and not scaming customers!

I didn't find it odd at all

- no profit in selling cars

- all the overhead costs of the business are based on recovery in service and repairs

regardless of any waiting list for workshops all dealers from all manufacturers will rip you off given a sniff of a chance

- screen wash sachets, misc consumables, over inflated labour times for tasks, parts replaced but not required to fix a problem - I could give examples of all and it still goes on.

Mechanics aren't mechanics anymore they are parts fitters and some have the diagnostic abilities of a tadpole

The whole industry is awash with scams - they just put a glossy facade on the outside of the building and tile the floor so you feel better about being rogered

JM2pW and no offence intended

dubpolo · Post by **dubpolo** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:46 pm

Tort I should wind this up!

bstardchild spanks Sputnik yea baby! Mess with our homeboy Chris you know whatâ€™s coming!

Iâ€™m very sorry! 12 hours at work then a family meal! Oh my god Iâ€™m going mad!

Dealers are otherwise called stealers! non of the mechanics know what there doing and everyone thinks they have to take there car to them to keep the warranty! Thatâ€™s blocks! I take my car to awesome gti, they may not be cheap but theyâ€™re cheaper than the stealers and they know allot more about VW's!

bstardchild · Post by **bstardchild** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:01 pm

dubpolo wrote:Tort I should wind this up!

You didn't - I have a low opinion of all dealers till proven otherwise - happy to recommend and accept that there are good ones but they are few and far between.

Last time any of my car were in a dealer was a long long time ago and resulted in me vowing that I would DIY it unless I couldn't - even a full rebuild of a twin turbo 3.6L six with 24 valves from top to bottom was accomplished without recourse to dealer assistance

I view it very simply - If I do it I know it's been done and done right

With Vagparts on this forum and Driveparts on my other forum

- I can get parts by post at cheaper than my local dealer 90% of the time

- Advice from all you guys

- And share a little knowledge as tasks are completed

cyhliu · Post by **cyhliu** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:55 pm

Jeez, I wasn't expecting such a barrage response from you guys...

I take both sides of the argument, I agree there will be honest dealers out there that do an honest job but I believe there would be the minority who aren't so honest and gives the whole business a bad name/reputation.

The reason I think like this is I guess because of a Watchdog programme I watched a long long time ago, some of you might have seen it too...it was where they took this car (think it was a Fiat Punto) and had it checked by a AA mechanic who gave it the thumbs up...then they deliberately fiddled with engine and some other parts before taking it to several Fiat dealers, can't exactly remember the exact results but they weren't great, they were charging extra, some dealers couldn't find anything wrong and one even suggested that some major engine work was required...

I agree with BstardChild, doing it yourself is the best way to ensure that you don't pay over the odds and that things get done properly...and if the brakes fail when you are going round that corner at 50mph you've only got yourself to blame! ha ha ha!

AndyD, well you've had the dealers diagnosis confirmed by Spuknik so I take my comment back! This is what the forum is for, sharing of information! Spuknik, thanks for your comments about your employer, it's good to hear that there are still honest businesses out there and I apologise if you took offense at my comment.

And finally, Dubpolo, I like the spanking! Not! Ha ha ha!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:32 pm

I thought I might get a response!!!

Well I have noticed nobody has come to my defence

Don't get me wrong guys I can see where you are all coming from, but it would appear there is a big misconception of how the modern type of car dealer works.

I guess its going to take a long time to prove to you guys!

bstardchild · Post by **bstardchild** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:26 pm

Sputnik wrote:I thought I might get a response!!! Well I have noticed nobody has come to my defence

It wasn't an attack aimed at you - just venting frustration at a problem which will probably never go away (IMHO)

Sputnik wrote:Don't get me wrong guys I can see where you are all coming from, but it would appear there is a big misconception of how the modern type of car dealer works.

Well they don't make any money selling cars do they

Sputnik wrote:I guess its going to take a long time to prove to you guys!

Yep - it'll be very cold down there and short fat pink animals with curly tails will definately fly!!!