topic Re: airconditioner in Among Friends

airconditioner

Luvsmyfam — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:45:41 GMT

wow,got in my car today and my air conditioner has stopped running.i have a 2013 buick verano.has anyone had this problem with this make of car?and wouldnt you know it, quad cities is sizziling today.hope this isnt a $3000 dollar job.the car only has 50,000 miles on it.not sure what to do,but did make a appt for thurs for car to be looked at.any suggestions or comments would be appreciated

Re: airconditioner

jannabelle1 — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:54:05 GMT

I'm sure not a car expert, but maybe it just needs freon. I'd definitely be calling my dealer to get it in...that's great that you can get an appointment in a few days. Good luck!

Re: airconditioner

Foxxee — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:09:20 GMT

Go to this website below to find possible causes for your Buick Verano AC not working.

Click on "Read More" to find cost estimates to repair under each possible cause.

Buick Verano AC Is Not Working (repairpal.com)

Re: airconditioner

Kachina624 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:11:22 GMT

@Luvsmyfam My AC quit last summer. It's a 2003 Saturn with 55,000 miles. Very dependable, always starts. It's standard procedure to charge for estimates on AC repair.... I paid $100 for an estimate. It was for $1700., not worth it for an old car. So I do my necessary errands first thing in the mornings and never go anywhere in hot afternoons or evenings. Don't want to invest in a new car due to my declining vision. May not be driving much longer.

Re: airconditioner

decaf — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:12:40 GMT

@Luvsmyfam The car is out of warranty so I'd definitely NOT take it to the dealer. Sorry to say this but, they have the worst track record for ripping people off, especially women.

My husband's last car, an old Honda, had the AC go at 98K miles. He got it fixed for $300, not the $2200 he was quoted at the dealer.

Your AC is unlikely to be completely gone with 50K miles on the car. You need an honest mechanic. Ask friends, neighbors, relatives if they have or know one.

If not, go on Nextdoor and ask others, even mention it's for an AC problem. Also check reviews on Yelp. I'm not saying yours is a $300. job, you just need someone you can trust to honestly diagnose the problem.

Re: airconditioner

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:33:55 GMT

It will depend on what needs to be done. I honestly have not seen inexpensive repairs for air conditioners, but hopfully it is something simple. At the very least you will need to recharge the system. These days cars are made for systems to be replaced rather than the pieces and parts. Good luck and try and stay cool.

Re: airconditioner

Etoile308 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:41:04 GMT

If you haven't had your air filter replaced in a while I would start with that.

Re: airconditioner

Catty2 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:58:50 GMT

My 2008 Saturn Aura A/C stopped a few months ago. I took it to AAA Auto Repair (if you have one in your area). Luckily, it was about a $200 repair. Good Luck!

Re: airconditioner

Luvsmyfam — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 01:28:24 GMT

thank-you jannabelle for your reply

Re: airconditioner

Luvsmyfam — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 01:33:49 GMT

qvc friends,thank you all for your replies. The thought of going through car buying process is nauseating. I haven't had a car payment in over 3 yrs,and want to keep it that way.on the flip side,I won't nickel and dime this car either.wish me luck for thursday.i will keep you posted on the outcome

Re: airconditioner

hckynut — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 01:39:06 GMT

@Luvsmyfam wrote:
wow,got in my car today and my air conditioner has stopped running.i have a 2013 buick verano.has anyone had this problem with this make of car?and wouldnt you know it, quad cities is sizziling today.hope this isnt a $3000 dollar job.the car only has 50,000 miles on it.not sure what to do,but did make a appt for thurs for car to be looked at.any suggestions or comments would be appreciated

@Luvsmyfam

It is an 8 year old car. First thing to check is whatever they use for the coolant(used to be freon), assuming the AC is turning on and blowing air. If not, it might be as simple as a blown fuse.

Our 2004 SUV quit working earlier this year, and the drivers seat heater won't shut off. My wife is gone Pet Sitting with our little car with the working AC.

Think ours is low on the coolant and needs recharging. My mechanic friend works for a GM dealer. Will be taking it in soon for regular maintenance, oil/filter etc. He just unplugs something to turn the seat heater off(no charge).

Been driving it to the ice rink in this 95+° days with high humidity. I put a chair seat on top of our leather and it keeps the heat from my buttock. Heat isn't a problem for me. Don't use our houses AC at home when my wife is gone.

If you fan is blowing, the best would be if your cooling system needs recharging. If not, it might be just a fuse.The worst would be if your compressor quit working, that cost some bigger $$$ to replace or repair.

All brands AC pretty much work the same or similar systems. Hope yours is the simple one, as is ours too.

hckynut

Re: airconditioner

decaf — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 01:49:38 GMT

@LuvsmyfamWhere are you taking it Thursday? Please don't take a car almost 10 years old to the dealer. You do know dealers charge for diagnostic time, right?

Re: airconditioner

Luvsmyfam — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 01:57:52 GMT

yes,I am taking to my local dealer,who I've taken car to since I bought it.they have all work history,not to mention they will take me to and from to work.yes I am aware they charge just to look at it.but as I said,I just don't want to start all over with a car payment.this has got to be cheaper than buying another car.trust me,I get so frustrated when one thing after another goes to heck.guessits better than being 6ft under right?

Re: airconditioner

decaf — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 02:55:11 GMT

@LuvsmyfamIt's always cheaper to repair than to buy a new car.

I have a 2013 car. About 4 years ago the dealer said I needed $1500 worth of work. The car didn't need it, it had about 25K miles on it.

If they come back that you need a big repair$$$, a whole new AC system (compressor) it really would benefit you to take it to an independent mechanic with excellent reviews and get a second opinion. Don't divulge what the dealer said. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck

Edited- I don't want you to get ripped off. If you're going to keep the car you should seriously get an independent mechanic for future maintenance and stop taking it to the dealer. @Luvsmyfam

Re: airconditioner

FancyPhillyshopper — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 02:58:17 GMT

I think after a while the AC will go out and be unfixable on a lot of cars.

Well, I am a non air-conidtioner person. I do not like it--it makes me cold and sneeze. I love driving with an open window and feeling the breeze on my face.

DH is the exact opposite. So we have one very old car with almost 200,000 miles and no AC that I drive, and a newer car that he drives where he can blast the AC.

Here in Philly the humidity is often worse than the heat!

Re: airconditioner

Mistreatedbycs — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 03:26:09 GMT

Are you sure you just don't need freon.

I believe hockeynut eluded to the same....

Re: airconditioner

Othereeeen — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:45:56 GMT

WHOA!!!

Before you get some expensive repair....

AC in autos have FUSES that are in the electical system. It COULD be just a blown fuse in a car that age.

Here is a link:

https://fuse-box.info/buick/buick-verano-2012-2017-fuses-and-relays

Looks like it's fuse # 17 in the fuse box.

Fuse box looks like it's on the left side of your dash, to the lower left of the steering wheel behind a panel. Just pops open for access.

A LOT of people ( espeically WOMEN) don't know cars have fuses!!! (Men too!!!)

You Tube can show you where it's located and how to change it. VERY EASY and CHEAP place to start, that the shop will charge a fortune for as if it's some magic repair!!!

(65 YO woman here.....YES you can change the fuse. If it doesn't work, THEN go to the repair shop and tell them YOU checked the fuses!!! They will fall over!!).

Someone else suggested changing the cabin air filter. Also EASY to do, on You Tube...dealer here charges 100 for LABOR to do it. NO WAY!!!

These parts are available at ANY auto parts store ( Auto Zone) or Amazon...Autozone may even do it for you free.

Fuse pulls straight out with a little tug. New one just pops in in it's place.

This hot weather and on and off cycling may have blown that fuse.

My AC fan stopped blowing once....that's how I found out about fuses in cars. It was a company car, so I didn't have to pay for the repair, but they charged a small fortune to replace that little fuse!!!

Live and learn!!

Good Luck and let us know!!!

Re: airconditioner

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 12:02:46 GMT

I find it disheartening to read all of the "don't take your car to the dealer for service" comments.

My 2008 car has been serviced solely by the dearler that I bought it from, and it's been a wonderful experience. They do not charge me to diagnose problems. Pricing has been competitive and fair. I have run flat tires, and their price per tire is roughly $75 less than other options in the area. I've paid nothing to have bulbs replaced. They always have a service loaner available when I have scheduled service, and have made a car available to me about 75% of the time when something has come up that's needed immediate attention.

I won't be so naive as to insist that all dealerships are wonderful just because I've had a great experience, but it's not fair to paint them all with the "don't go to the dealer" brush either.

Re: airconditioner

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:42:31 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
I find it disheartening to read all of the "don't take your car to the dealer for service" comments.

My 2008 car has been serviced solely by the dearler that I bought it from, and it's been a wonderful experience. They do not charge me to diagnose problems. Pricing has been competitive and fair. I have run flat tires, and their price per tire is roughly $75 less than other options in the area. I've paid nothing to have bulbs replaced. They always have a service loaner available when I have scheduled service, and have made a car available to me about 75% of the time when something has come up that's needed immediate attention.

I won't be so naive as to insist that all dealerships are wonderful just because I've had a great experience, but it's not fair to paint them all with the "don't go to the dealer" brush either.

Dealers have become much more competitive. I addition with all the computer components on cars now, diagnostic equipment is necessary.

Re: airconditioner

hckynut — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 18:39:03 GMT