[hchilly]

I have had my Giulia Quadrifoglio since the end of June, with about 5000 trouble free miles. However, as the weather got colder, I realized that I had no heat coming out of the vents, just air blowing. I took the car in over a week ago to get that dealt with, along with the common headlight washer fix.

So the car is still at the dealer and they have no clue what the problem with the heat is. It seems that they have been exchanging emails waiting for advice from Italy, trying what technicians suggest and trying the next suggestion in a trial and error manner. But over a week has passed and I have no idea when the car will be fixed. I assume they will get it done eventually, but it seems surprising that 1) a car was shipped without something as basic as heat in the climate control system, and 2) that they don't have an idea of what to do about it.

It is frustrating to pay almost $80k for a car that does not have something that the cheapest car on the lot at any dealer has. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Alwaysdutch]

Well, I am very sorry to hear that. My car has been sitting at the dealership since 10/31, as it did not get rear vent heat, and a heater box had to be replaced, which means the dash has to come out. Not sure if the heater box is your problem, but I do get confirmation that more vehicles have this problem. My car was from April.

Now, as for your point saying that you should expect better for $80k. I made that same argument, only $45k, and people started telling me that this is what you took as a chance by buying an Alfa....lol

Connect with Alfa Care and see if they can expedite your issue through the dealer.

I hope they get it fixed ASAP.

 

[lost1750GTV]

all my old Alfas had heaters - this is not what I expect from an Alfa.

my Dads's old Jags had an auxiliary electric heater, and my old 911 had a gas heater, so maybe I might expect it from those brands, but tell whoever says that to suck eggs or something.

 

[2017QV]

Well, I am very sorry to hear that. My car has been sitting at the dealership since 10/31, as it did not get rear vent heat, and a heater box had to be replaced, which means the dash has to come out. Not sure if the heater box is your problem, but I do get confirmation that more vehicles have this problem. My car was from April.

Now, as for your point saying that you should expect better for $80k. I made that same argument, only $45k, and people started telling me that this is what you took as a chance by buying an Alfa....lol

Connect with Alfa Care and see if they can expedite your issue through the dealer.

I hope they get it fixed ASAP.

I about to pick up my used 5k mike Q.V. and a basic quality control issue like this is very concerning.

Because of this post and other quality issue posts, I decided to order a 30 day temp tag from etags before i officially register and pay tax on a 70k car. I want to drive it for a month or two before I pay tax and registration. If I run into issues, I will sell it and go back to an M3.

 

[lgbalfa]

That is mind boggling that you would spend 80k on a car and the heater doesn't work.

 

[AlfaRomeoCares]

I have had my Giulia Quadrifoglio since the end of June, with about 5000 trouble free miles. However, as the weather got colder, I realized that I had no heat coming out of the vents, just air blowing. I took the car in over a week ago to get that dealt with, along with the common headlight washer fix.

So the car is still at the dealer and they have no clue what the problem with the heat is. It seems that they have been exchanging emails waiting for advice from Italy, trying what technicians suggest and trying the next suggestion in a trial and error manner. But over a week has passed and I have no idea when the car will be fixed. I assume they will get it done eventually, but it seems surprising that 1) a car was shipped without something as basic as heat in the climate control system, and 2) that they don't have an idea of what to do about it.

It is frustrating to pay almost $80k for a car that does not have something that the cheapest car on the lot at any dealer has. Any advice appreciated.

Hi hchilly,

Sorry to hear about this! Please don't hesitate to send us a PM for further assistance if needed, we're happy to help.

Andrea
Alfa Romeo Social Care Specialist

 

[Chipshot]

Is anyone else impressed that AlfaRomeoCares mines nearly week-old threads and responds to them?

Is there no warm defroster air to go with no heat? That's a safety issue.

 

[[email protected]]

Hopefully this gets fixed and soon.

It sort of irks me that every manufacturer including Alfa, has decided they need to put a computer between me and every single system in the car. What was wrong with a lever that opened a heater valve? Do I really need to touch a control that then sends a signal to a computer than then runs an electric motor or solenoid to open a valve? I know they all do it this way now, and I get why, but to me, it's just complexity for the sake of complexity, and if a dealer can't figure out why the heater valve won't open, that really makes my point.

Greg

 

[Alwaysdutch]

Hopefully this gets fixed and soon.

It sort of irks me that every manufacturer including Alfa, has decided they need to put a computer between me and every single system in the car. What was wrong with a lever that opened a heater valve? Do I really need to touch a control that then sends a signal to a computer than then runs an electric motor or solenoid to open a valve? I know they all do it this way now, and I get why, but to me, it's just complexity for the sake of complexity, and if a dealer can't figure out why the heater valve won't open, that really makes my point.

Greg

That in combination with a location where it is impossible to replace it quickly....LOL

 

[lockem]

Hopefully this gets fixed and soon.

It sort of irks me that every manufacturer including Alfa, has decided they need to put a computer between me and every single system in the car. What was wrong with a lever that opened a heater valve? Do I really need to touch a control that then sends a signal to a computer than then runs an electric motor or solenoid to open a valve? I know they all do it this way now, and I get why, but to me, it's just complexity for the sake of complexity, and if a dealer can't figure out why the heater valve won't open, that really makes my point.

Greg

Complicated heating system are there to try to keep occupants comfortable in a wide range of conditions. They are great when they work.

I would think that an appropriate OBD control box should be able to diagnose a vehicular HVAC system in a few minutes. It should be possible to see what the temperature probes are reading, force settings of air vanes, adjust the fan speed, etc so that it is unnecessary to test the whole system at once and then try to guess what is going wrong from the symptoms.

 

[riparke]

Had a 2012 VW Jetta sportwagon and the horn signaled the computer, to relay, to horn. There was a fraction of a sec delay on the horn, if you wanted to do a quick short 2 beeps = nothing. I'm going to test my Giulia next time in car to see if I can detect a delay.
Remember when the interior lights worked off switches in the door frames?

 

[jdpuglisi]

Had a 2012 VW Jetta sportwagon and the horn signaled the computer, to relay, to horn. There was a fraction of a sec delay on the horn, if you wanted to do a quick short 2 beeps = nothing. I'm going to test my Giulia next time in car to see if I can detect a delay.
Remember when the interior lights worked off switches in the door frames?

I do. In fact, I vividly remember changing them out with some frequency on my old VW beetle. That and the heater cable that ran under the car to the damper underneath in the rear. Always failed or kinked so every November, I'd get under the car and wire the damper open for heat. In the spring, I'd take the wire out.

 

[Romeo]

I have had my Giulia Quadrifoglio since the end of June, with about 5000 trouble free miles. However, as the weather got colder, I realized that I had no heat coming out of the vents, just air blowing. I took the car in over a week ago to get that dealt with, along with the common headlight washer fix.

So the car is still at the dealer and they have no clue what the problem with the heat is. It seems that they have been exchanging emails waiting for advice from Italy, trying what technicians suggest and trying the next suggestion in a trial and error manner. But over a week has passed and I have no idea when the car will be fixed. I assume they will get it done eventually, but it seems surprising that 1) a car was shipped without something as basic as heat in the climate control system, and 2) that they don't have an idea of what to do about it.

It is frustrating to pay almost $80k for a car that does not have something that the cheapest car on the lot at any dealer has. Any advice appreciated.

I had the same issue with my first car. The problem was in the radiator. My mechanic told me, that because of the small accident that happened to my car, antifreeze was leaking from the radiator hose, thus, heater didn't work because of the lack of antifreeze.

 

[Alwaysdutch]

I do. In fact, I vividly remember changing them out with some frequency on my old VW beetle. That and the heater cable that ran under the car to the damper underneath in the rear. Always failed or kinked so every November, I'd get under the car and wire the damper open for heat. In the spring, I'd take the wire out.

I had a 2006 VW Jetta and there was so much wrong with it. Engine was replaced as the torque on the timing belt guides was wrong, loosen the guides after 80k miles and timing jumps. Wiring harness in the doors were too short, and I don't know how many times I have seen the CEL. I am surprised that the bulb did not burn out.

 

[hchilly]

Update

After 2 weeks in the shop, I just got word from the dealer that they have ordered a new heating coil and will be flushing the system. Parts supposed to arrive early next week. Hopefully that works. I'll provide more info when available.

 

[Chipshot]

I had a 2006 VW Jetta and there was so much wrong with it. Engine was replaced as the torque on the timing belt guides was wrong, loosen the guides after 80k miles and timing jumps. Wiring harness in the doors were too short, and I don't know how many times I have seen the CEL. I am surprised that the bulb did not burn out.

OOC, what was the best car you ever owned or leased?

 

[Chipshot]

I do. In fact, I vividly remember changing them out with some frequency on my old VW beetle. That and the heater cable that ran under the car to the damper underneath in the rear. Always failed or kinked so every November, I'd get under the car and wire the damper open for heat. In the spring, I'd take the wire out.

Did you also have a clothes dryer hose running from the heater outlet under the rear seat to the windshield for defrosting/defogging?

 

[jdpuglisi]

Did you also have a clothes dryer hose running from the heater outlet under the rear seat to the windshield for defrosting/defogging?

Nope. I don't know how I dealt with defrosting come to think of it. As a teenager, I probably didn't notice it.

 

[Alwaysdutch]

OOC, what was the best car you ever owned or leased?

An Opel Calibra 2.0 and my 2001 Jeep Cherokee:grin2:, which I still have and does great.

 

[riparke]

1986 VW golf, had for 32 years, engine (gas) ran great, no smoke, never left me stranded, but the body was turning into a rust bucket. Only normal maintenance plus 1 clutch (did it myself) (taught 5 kids to drive stick), alternator (29 years)(replaced brushes a few times), CV joints.