QuestionHello. I have a 98 Dodge Dakota. I am having problems with the front vents. The A/C and heating work in defrost and blow air through the top and the floor, but the dash vents no longer work. Chrysler said they could not fix it??? Any suggestions?
AnswerHey Kyle,
Unfortunately, you're a victim of poor customer service. The dealer can't fix it? The dealer is the *last stop*, and most have pride in that. This dealer obviously is sub-par, or you just happened upon a weak technician and service writer.
This system is far from complex -- a vacuum valve, mode actuator problem ... possibly a door problem, like a broken hinge or something. Most repairs here require the Instrument Panel to be removed to gain access, and some techs don't like doing that, so it may be a laziness issue. That really is pitiful.
What can you do? Find another dealer. If you are in a heavily-populated area, then another Dodge dealer may be right around the corner. Sometimes, a Jeep or Chrysler dealer will step up and accept the job -- for example, as a Jeep dealer, when work was slow, we'd sometimes take in Dodge work. Barring that, have you escalated the issue at this dealership? I'd speak to the Service Manager, as this often turns a 'we can't fix this' into a 'oh, we CAN fix this'. If that doesn't work, get the number to the District Manager -- I'm sure he/she would love to know that the local dealer cannot provide for you. Similarly, the dealer owner might like to know why they are turning away work.
Good luck!
