rear entry van issues

momto2girls · 07-09-2011, 09:28 PM

Hi all, I just joined here looking for a community where someone out there may have a rear entry van and let me know if they have the same issues we've got, or if they don't, so I know if I'm asking the impossible or not.
We just got our van back after getting a manual rear entry conversion done to transport my daughter in her chair.
The back end of the van is raised maybe 6 inches higher than the front now, to accommodate the lowered floor and still have clearance from the ground.
All seemed well at first, but then I drove it at night. Wow, I could barely see 10 feet in front of the vehicle. I would think that if they raise the rear end of the vehicle then they would adjust the headlights so they would again be level and shine out instead of down towards the ground. I called the rep who sent our van away, and he just said to take it to a Chrysler dealer and if they say the problems are related to the conversion they'll pay for the fix. This seems ridiculous, after 15K and being without my vehicle for 5 weeks you would think he would know if something was forgotten during the conversion process (like, hey, they usually adjust the headlights so maybe they forgot, I'll call and ask what they normally do to fix this). How will my local mechanic know the best way to fix the headlight issue?
The other issues are relatively minor, but since I sent the car is working order I think they should be fixed...the sliding door on the passenger side seems to sense that something is there and will not automatically close by itself, and the plug/jack on that side, right near that door is not functioning. While the plug/jack in front that should not work when the car is off does work (and I had a dead battery for the first time yesterday morning for some unknown reason, maybe something else draining the battery? But it's a manual conversion)
Sorry to ramble on, being new here I don't want to come across as a nut, but I'm so frustrated!
THANKS for any information you may have!

baldfatdad · 07-09-2011, 10:14 PM

Sounds like second rate, sloppy work. I'd stop payment on the check/credit card, until problems are solved.
Headlights are adjustable. Usually a screw and the new vehicles usually have a bubble under the hood to set them.
Tell the mechanic that works on the headlights to check the electric system for a problem that caused the battery to go dead. Have him fix the plugs ( I think you mean the power ports) and door sensor while he's at it.
Make sure you aren't operateing the lift with the engine off anymore than absolutely necessary. Lifts use a lot of juice. Short trips with a lot of lift use can also cause problems, because it doesn't give the battery time to recharge.
How does this thing drive with the back end jacked up? Has it been realigned? The front must be aligned or the handleing of the van can be dangerously affected.

Josh27C · 07-09-2011, 10:14 PM

Hi mom! (mom2togirls) lol
First off im new to the site as well, so welcome. Sorry to hear about your problems, I in fact have a full size van with electrical ramp and plenty of problems.. unfortunately. Your right, the company who did the conversion should have fixed the lights and left the van in perfect working order. So if would be to much time without your van the lights could be an easy fix. Where they are mounted there is usually nuts and bolts to adjust them up and down left and right all vehicles have them. As for your battery being drained it could be from that door not completely closing therefore leaving your inside lights on.
Hope some of this helps!

chasmengr · 07-09-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momto2girls

Sorry to ramble on, being new here I don't want to come across as a nut, but I'm so frustrated!

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldfatdad

Sounds like second rate, sloppy work. I'd stop payment on the check/credit card, until problems are solved.

You're not rambling, and you're definitely not a nut. It was sloppy work.

I was AB until I was 52, and did lots of my own auto service work. Whoever did your conversion did not do a complete job!!

SCIfor55yrs. · 07-10-2011, 09:57 AM

It is clearly your mobility people who are responsible. Start playing hardball. Tell them you are taking your story online naming them, will report them to the Better Business Bureau, and your state consumer affairs department. Also, point out that the light problem poses safety issues and they will be held accountable for any accident it might cause. If that does not work, call an attorney.

07-09-2011, 09:28 PM	#1
momto2girls Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	rear entry van issues Hi all, I just joined here looking for a community where someone out there may have a rear entry van and let me know if they have the same issues we've got, or if they don't, so I know if I'm asking the impossible or not. We just got our van back after getting a manual rear entry conversion done to transport my daughter in her chair. The back end of the van is raised maybe 6 inches higher than the front now, to accommodate the lowered floor and still have clearance from the ground. All seemed well at first, but then I drove it at night. Wow, I could barely see 10 feet in front of the vehicle. I would think that if they raise the rear end of the vehicle then they would adjust the headlights so they would again be level and shine out instead of down towards the ground. I called the rep who sent our van away, and he just said to take it to a Chrysler dealer and if they say the problems are related to the conversion they'll pay for the fix. This seems ridiculous, after 15K and being without my vehicle for 5 weeks you would think he would know if something was forgotten during the conversion process (like, hey, they usually adjust the headlights so maybe they forgot, I'll call and ask what they normally do to fix this). How will my local mechanic know the best way to fix the headlight issue? The other issues are relatively minor, but since I sent the car is working order I think they should be fixed...the sliding door on the passenger side seems to sense that something is there and will not automatically close by itself, and the plug/jack on that side, right near that door is not functioning. While the plug/jack in front that should not work when the car is off does work (and I had a dead battery for the first time yesterday morning for some unknown reason, maybe something else draining the battery? But it's a manual conversion) Sorry to ramble on, being new here I don't want to come across as a nut, but I'm so frustrated! THANKS for any information you may have!

07-10-2011, 09:57 AM	#5
SCIfor55yrs. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 5,265	It is clearly your mobility people who are responsible. Start playing hardball. Tell them you are taking your story online naming them, will report them to the Better Business Bureau, and your state consumer affairs department. Also, point out that the light problem poses safety issues and they will be held accountable for any accident it might cause. If that does not work, call an attorney. __________________ "S.O.S. = Save our Shoulders" (click link) See me at: http://cccforum55.freehostia.com/

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07-09-2011, 10:14 PM	#2
baldfatdad Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 780	Sounds like second rate, sloppy work. I'd stop payment on the check/credit card, until problems are solved. Headlights are adjustable. Usually a screw and the new vehicles usually have a bubble under the hood to set them. Tell the mechanic that works on the headlights to check the electric system for a problem that caused the battery to go dead. Have him fix the plugs ( I think you mean the power ports) and door sensor while he's at it. Make sure you aren't operateing the lift with the engine off anymore than absolutely necessary. Lifts use a lot of juice. Short trips with a lot of lift use can also cause problems, because it doesn't give the battery time to recharge. How does this thing drive with the back end jacked up? Has it been realigned? The front must be aligned or the handleing of the van can be dangerously affected.

07-09-2011, 10:14 PM	#3
Josh27C Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: West, Texas Posts: 17	Hi mom! (mom2togirls) lol First off im new to the site as well, so welcome. Sorry to hear about your problems, I in fact have a full size van with electrical ramp and plenty of problems.. unfortunately. Your right, the company who did the conversion should have fixed the lights and left the van in perfect working order. So if would be to much time without your van the lights could be an easy fix. Where they are mounted there is usually nuts and bolts to adjust them up and down left and right all vehicles have them. As for your battery being drained it could be from that door not completely closing therefore leaving your inside lights on. Hope some of this helps!