Mar 24, 2011 10:51
...or whatever else it would take to slap some common-sense into them.
I took the F-150 into the dealership yesterday to get that power-line connected for recharging the trailer battery. They called back several hours later to say that it actually had been originally connected, but that there was a relay (R05) required on the fuse-panel to energize the line. Apparently, since the trailer-towing package isn't a standard option, the spot for the relay is there, but Ford doesn't actually include it unless you need it. That makes sense, when you think about it. This still brings back the question as to why the tech who installed it didn't bother to test it and make sure it actually worked. Then they could have ordered the part, let me know the situation, and not waste my time bringing the truck into the dealership for a repair that wasn't actually needed.
The issue is that we're heading to Calgary tomorrow, so I needed that relay right away. Well, there isn't a Ford dealership in town, and neither NAPA nor Bumper-to-Bumper had the relay (did the dealership even call to check?) so they suggested a work-around. R04, they said, wasn't actually powering anything. The manual just labelled it as "rear light heat", and R04 is indentical to R05, so they just swapped it into that space, and I've got the line energized. "Everything seems to work just fine," they said, "so it should be good to go!"
Except that they didn't test everything. In fact, they didn't test the most obvious thing: The Heaters! Before I even left the lot, I checked the heaters. Nothing. Relay R04 is the one that powers the blower-motor for the heater/defroster, which in Canada is sorta critical. It turns out the the tech who's been doing all the work is the same genius that swapped out the fog-lamp bulbs, but never bothered to actually test them to make sure that they came on. At least that explains that... :/
The battery on the trailer is still at full charge, and since it's only used in an emergency situation, I think it will be OK to take it to Calgary without the relay installed. Once we're in Calgary, I'll go to a Ford dealership and get the relay, and have them run the VIN to see what the truck's actual configuration is. I have to wonder if the tech at the GM dealership is grossly incompetent, just doesn't give-a-damn, or just has no clue about Ford vehicles, or All-of-the-Above. If you're a dealership selling "GM Optimum Used Vehicles" which covers all makes, you'd better have a tech who knows what the heck he/she is doing. At this rate, I wouldn't trust these guys to do an oil-change, much less anything more involved. :P
On a final note of Stupidity, I believe I've finally found out what the problems with the plumbing are here. I can't recall if I mentioned this already, but it's so stupid that it bears repeating. All waste-water plumbing systems require a vent-stack to prevent vacuum build-up in the lines, and to prevent sewer-gas from entering the home. We've been having problems with the smell over the winter, and there has been a "popping" sound from inside the wall where I know the main waste-water line is, so I've been assuming that the popping sound is a vacuum bubble popping, and also releasing some of the gas. I had thought that the vent might have been clogged with ice or snow on the roof, so I'd have to look into that. The other day, I did get a good look up at the roof - There is NO Stack!!! This is basic Plumbing-101, you have to have that vent stack! I'm going to have to go up into the attic to see if he just vented the stack into the attic (which is equally stupid) or didn't vent the stack at all, which would be even more stupid. How the heck did this guy ever get a plumber's license in the first place?! (I'm referring to the previous owner of this house, not Larry who've I've hired to do major repair work on things like the boiler.)
Stupid people make my head hurt.
stupid,
f-150,
plumbing