Interesting Call

[newoldtech]

Got a call today from an elderly lady. She said that someone recommended me. I get there the fan is running but no cold air. I go to the roof. I check and see that I am missing one leg of my 240 volts. I look at the disconnect and see a fuse on top of it. I figure someone was probably here recently and changed the fuse and now it blew again. But much to my surprise when I pulled out the disconnect only one fuse was in it. I checked the fuse that was on top of the disconnect and sure enough it was good. I put it back in and everything worked. It is an old unit and the head pressure was a bit high but it was working reasonably well.

I got off the roof and asked if anyone else had recently worked on her unit. She assured me that no one had. It almost looked like a set up but it was too obvious. Also this elderly lady seemed like she may of been a little senile or at least forgetful. I told her exactly what I saw and did, got my service call fee and left scratching my head.

[beenthere]

Maybe a neighbor looked at it for her and told her he didn't do anything to it. And she forgot he went up on the roof.

[dsprice]

Calls like that makes me think of those Dateline exposes. Did you check for hidden cameras? :b)

[philjafo]

Had a call that felt like a setup yesterday, 54 year old furnace and the pilot was blown out. Relight the pilot and it works fine. I was there in Nov for a no heat too, that time it was just the power switch turned off. No hidden cameras but maybe the homeowner is looking for a company that isn't going to lie to them to get the sale. I did of course talk to them about replacement options but the furnace was still servicable.

[newoldtech]

Maybe a neighbor looked at it for her and told her he didn't do anything to it. And she forgot he went up on the roof.

I'm thinking something similar as well. Maybe the person who recommended me(I'm not sure who that is)or someone else was on the roof and the condenser motor stopped spinning and the compressor was making alot of noise, so they took out a fuse. I'm not sure. I'll see if I get a followup call.

[timebuilder]

Calls like that makes me think of those Dateline exposes. Did you check for hidden cameras? :b)

Did she have a 14 yo girl answer the door?

[newoldtech]

Did she have a 14 yo girl answer the door?

The call I was on, she was about 14 in 1914.

[billg]

I went on a service call for a new customer and found the gas valve in the off position (the 1990s Honeywell valve with the plastic knob that likes to break). Home owner said "no one touched it", I believed her. Strange thing, the pvc pipe had become loose from the venter and leaking exhaust into the home. I corrected the pvc, turned the gas valve on and no more problems. I've been on a few no heat calls with very odd causes that had life threatening unrelated problems.

[timebuilder]

The call I was on, she was about 14 in 1914.

Thanks! I needed that!

[Core_d]

sounds like you passed the test. 6 on your side is gonna call more techs out till one says you need a new compressor. Ive watched them bust a few dishonest techs on the news

[butternut]

Where the heck are you guys working where you have to look for cameras? Damn!

[Jesjen829]

Did she have a 14 yo girl answer the door?

Funny! What happened to that show? "I wasnt going to do anything, I just wanted to bring her some barbies, whip cream, and a box of rubbers".

[timebuilder]

Funny! What happened to that show? "I wasnt going to do anything, I just wanted to bring her some barbies, whip cream, and a box of rubbers".

The irony is that a 14 yo has not played with Barbies since she was 7, and has classes in school where the use of whipped cream and rubbers are discussed and demonstrated.

Problem is, you can't charge a school with the corruption of the morals of a minor.

[jpsmith1cm]

Funny! What happened to that show? "I wasnt going to do anything, I just wanted to bring her some barbies, whip cream, and a box of rubbers".

I miss that show, too.

I'm pretty sure that http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=599_1206356678 is the reason the show is no longer on the air.

[AtticAce]

I always look for hidden cameras if the unit looks newly serviced and the thermostat wire is broken.

If I don't see cameras, I tell them the left handed skitzele valve is leaking flux and sell them a new system.

[timebuilder]

Yeah, I think a 105 mil suit was enough to stop that show. The issue is the group "perverted justice" is NOT a law enforcement organization, and they are more than willing to do things that a LEO decoy knows to NOT do.

[Core_d]

I always look for hidden cameras if the unit looks newly serviced and the thermostat wire is broken.

If I don't see cameras, I tell them the left handed skitzele valve is leaking flux and sell them a new system.

Yea those left handed skitzele valves arnt cheap i had to have one replaced on my car a while back.

[Core_d]

Right handed ones still on order