Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1986 Chrysler New Yorker with 48,000 miles. The heater and air conditioning system blower doesn't work. The dealer tells me the part will cost $500 and the labor at least another $150. Is the dealer planning to get rich at my expense? Jeanne

Tom: I'm confused by your letter, Jeanne.

Ray: Don't be alarmed, Jeanne. He's confused by a lot of things.

Tom: True. But I can't think of a blower anywhere in the western hemisphere that costs $500. So if all you really need is a blower motor, then you are being grossly overcharged.

Ray: But it's possible that what the dealer told you is that you need a new compressor. The compressor is the part of the air conditioning system that makes the air cold. And a compressor for this car WOULD be in the neighborhood of 500 bucks.

Tom: But that would only affect the air conditioning, and not the heating system, which is why I'm confused.

Ray: Which is ONE of the reason's he's confused. Anyway, if a compressor is what you need, Jeanne, then the price is not out of line. But if they're really trying to sell you a blower for $500, I'd blow them off and go somewhere else.

Tom and Ray share secrets mechanics don't want you to know in their pamphlet Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It! To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the June 1994 index