Customer complaint

I just finished installing a air ride set up in a 1996 gmc truck.  During the install the ignition switch stopped giving power to the 2nd ignition which is where I have the commpressor relay switch and the switchbox connected.  When I contacted him and asked if he'd had problems with this in the past he said no.  When I gained access to the ignition switch I found that when pressure is applied, contact is made to 2nd ignition and when there is no pressure on the ignition, contact is intermittently lost.  I explained that the switch goes bad from having the key turned on and off and eventually the contact will be grinded down.  Anyways the customer believes that I should have to replace the switch since the vehicle was in my hands.  My question is can I just connect the 2nd ignition to the primary ignition and call it good?  How else can I explain that I have nothing to do with the ignition going bad that it is just normal wear and tear?Im moving to MEXICO and Im not speaking spanish!

Well, of course you broke it... that's how it works, don'tcha know?    You could wire them together, hopefully the remaining contact hold up to the increased current demand. Or, use a relay to switch the second ignition off the first one (better route), relay may eventually give out after a couple thousand cycles or so... or maybe not. Gus Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

mrjc480 wrote: During the install the ignition switch stopped giving power to the 2nd ignition which is where I have the commpressor relay switch and the switchbox connected.     My question is can I just connect the 2nd ignition to the primary ignition and call it good?

How much Ampherage are you drawing from that wire??

Just because the Switch may be worn out, does NOT relieve you of compounding the problem when you hook up more Accessories.  The Switch may NOT have given him any problems, but just the mere fact you were in there has him believeing you caused it.

Best to come to an agreement that he splits the cost & you supply the labor.  If not, you never know what can happen

Do it right, so it don't come back & haunt you

MO

Don't Learn from Others Mistakes

You Might Be the One That Knows.

I like Gus's idea, use a relay to power the second ignition. That way it's getting the power needed. I would be upfront with the customer first, and even bring him into the shop to show him the actual problem....Mike M2

Tech Manager

CS Dealer Services

I talked to him over the phone and explained that I can correct the problem without buying a new switch.  Is there anything I should warn him about?  Also I know that we all encounter problems like this during the course of a install such as having to cut wires on a factory amp bypass and other deviations to a OEM setup.  Do you guys inform the customer on such instances or do you just follow through with the install.  Problems that I encounter are corrected and will never be found unless someone is hacking into my work.Im moving to MEXICO and Im not speaking spanish!

If you caused the problem then you SHOULD replace the part. If you tried to pull too much current through the ign then it is YOUR fault. The correct way would have been to relay the power via a solenoid. Most compressors pull too much current for relays and definately too much current then the ign switch.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Mrjc, i remember GM having issues with the ignition switches in trucks in the late 90's. I remember us having at least three trucks that had to have the switch replaced under warranty and the dealer tried to say it was our installs,....Mike M2

Tech Manager

CS Dealer Services

I said IF. And yes, if you tried to pull too much current through the ignition switch it could cause this problem. It would act like a fuse and eat away at the contacts. Also, are the switches going through relays or directly to the solenoids? What is the draw of 1 solenoid? What is the draw of 4 at once?Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Just replace the switch. It only costs about 20 bux, and I would rather pay the money than deal with the headache of arguing with him. That kind of stuff happens all the time. In the end, I would rather eat the cost of a new switch than risk having a customer leave unsatisfied. A customer pays a pro to perform a service for them and expects to be satisfied. But when a customer isn't satisfied they tell an average of 7 people about it, and thats seven people who aren't going to be giving you thier business. I suppose that if you work for a shop you dont care about then it doesn't matter, but since I started my own I am directly affected by bad word of mouth. Northstart.....or start it your damn self.