Have to brag just a little; cheap repair!

[TsgtRet]

Have to brag a little. My 06 Grand Marquis (111,000 miles) Climate Control went on the fritz during the Winter: everything came out of the defrost & floor, nothing out of the dash vents. During the winter this was bearable but now that it started warming up comfort came first. Troubleshooting showed a faulty control head and research showed this to be a common FoMoCo problem. Dealer wanted $650+ for a new one and $200+ for labor. You could find rehabbed used ones $99-$225 online. More research showed the problem in 90% of the cases were the factory, natural rubber "o" rings inside the control; they apparently get dried out and brittle and no longer seal the solenoids they are installed in. Well armed with a "how to" from a Crown Vic forum and $10.00 in silcone "o" rings I attacked it Friday. 2 hours later and it works as advertised and I saved almost $900 (dealer prices). Quite a feeling of accomplishment when that much dollar difference is involved! Final plus is the silicone rings are an upgrade from the factory standard so it should last a good long while. :banana-rock:

[Florida_Slotter]

User group forums can save lots of $$$$$ for those that do not mind getting their hands dirty. I've used them myself for many years to keep our vehicles running the way they were intended to.

Good job!

Thankfully we don't have to replace 1/32 scale "O"-rings in our slot cars!

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Excellent, Sarge. I hope to imitate you about the Level Ride valve on my rear suspension. I found a new part for $400 less than retail a few years ago the first time it blinked out but didn't use it, and now it is going to require a more sophisticated fix, so I'll dig it out and put it in this summer.

[2FER SLOTS]

[TsgtRet]

2FER SLOTS said "Sounds exactly the way I repair my own stuff :clap:
Fixed the power ant. on Bonny (98 SSEi) with trimmer cord, saved a $300 mast replace.
Unfortunately......can't repair 99.5% of my customer's cars this way :angry-banghead:

If we repaired the o-rings and spent $200 doing it and the job lasted 1 year(other parts of the control head fail.....like getting a heart transplant at 92) we would be replacing the control head at no-charge cause..."thats what I paid you to do".
Just trying to speak up for the other side of the counter a little :D"

I was "the other side of the counter" for 11 years.....and know all about those "ever since you" phone calls :roll:

[dreinecke]

Great to hear this sort of thing! I hate being a disposable society and shackled to a repair place. I love doing things myself and am glad you got your car fixed!

[FootScoot]

I like doing my own repairs if I can, but if it's a warranty thing I let the dealer take care of it. Little stuff no problem, the major stuff I leave to the pros. Forums are great for help on common repairs or replacement stuff. :)