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From: mlf@panda.UUCP (Matt L. Fichtenbaum)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Factory vs. Dealer AC
Message-ID: <233@panda.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-Jan-85 08:33:23 EST
Article-I.D.: panda.233
Posted: Thu Jan 17 08:33:23 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 20-Jan-85 05:32:39 EST
References: <5410@rochester.UUCP>
Reply-To: mlf@panda.UUCP (Matt L. Fichtenbaum)
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Concord, Mass.
Lines: 31
Summary: 

>I would like to find out about the differences between factory and
>dealer installed air conditioning.

   I bought my '83 Dodge Aries (K-car) from dealer stock.  The dealer
stated that he could install "the very same factory unit" that a
factory AC'd car would have had.

   It was *almost* the very same unit.  Actually, it was the same unit
as in a 1982 model!  This meant it lacked the "bi-level" mode (cold to
the dash, warm to the floor) that was new for '83, it didn't have the
switch to shut off the compressor when one puts the gas pedal to the
floor (to take the load off the engine), and its wiring didn't match
the diagrams in my '83 shop manual.

   I griped about the bi-level feature.  Six months later, they
retrofitted a few parts and made it right.

   A colleague had the "factory-installed" rear window defroster added
to his off-the-lot 1984 K-car.  It's not as effective as the real
factory-installed one.

   Conclusion:  My A/C is the right unit for the car, does all that it
should, works fine.  But I'd rather have bought the car with the
factory-installed one.  If you're going to have the dealer install
some "factory" option, get the promises in writing!

-- 

					Matt Fichtenbaum
					"Our job is to rescue fires,
					not put out your cat."