Business ProfileforHelmkamp Auto Service Inc.

If you are in need of RV service in the Metro East, Pick a different repair shop. They do great until you have an issue with something they did. Then they will not correct the issue and really dont care if you take your business elsewhere as they have enough clients that you dont matter. We took our RV there two seasons. First time got new tires and all maintenance. Second time new batteries throughout and maintenance. Got RV home and brand new battery was dead. Checked for a battery draw, couldn't find anything. Charged battery, next day dead again. Removed battery and took to autozone since it was Sunday. They charged it and said we needed to return it to where we got it because it had a dead cell. When they put it on a load it died again. Took it Back fully charged for them to test because they said they wouldn't replace it unless they checked it. Next day told me nothing wrong with it. Put it back in, dead again. Went through the whole season like this because they refused to replace the battery. Yes, I said REFUSED! When I wanted to speak to a manager, I was hung up on. Took it to another repair shop this season, they called and said I have a dead cell in my new battery and I am paying for a battery again.

Helmkamp Auto Service, **** did receive a call from the vehicle owner stating the battery(ies) were dead and the engine would not start. The conversation was handled and discussed over the phone to assist with the situation. When the customer was asked many questions specific to her motorhome, the majority of the questions were not able to be answered over the phone because of the unfamiliarity of the owner with the motorhome. She is Third owner.The questions consisted of basic topics such as; "Do you know where the battery disconnect switch is located and if it turned on or off". Or, "Do you know where the Auxiliary Start button/switch is located and have you attempted to try/use the feature"... The answers to these basic questions were never attained during the phone call and progress was not being made to resolve the situation. The Primary Reason was based in the customers unfamiliarity with the vehicle equipment, switch locations and/or system operations. The offer was presented to the owner to meet at the vehicle location to sort out the issue.The phone call conversation was difficult to maintain continuity and/or make progress. Then the conversation turned "south" with regard to undesirable comments being stated by the vehicle owner. The option to meet at the vehicle was maintained, but the phone call connection was terminated for reasons unknown... A call to the same phone number was attempted, but the call went to an automated voicemail. No message was left on the voicemail. No further contact or conversation occurred thereafter...Helmkamp Auto Service, **** has no record of customer contact concerning any questions from customer concerning the product in question, warranty topics, or question concerning any topic related to the vehicle after the vehicle was picked up on on March 6, 2022 or after the above phone call. As noted below, all aspects of the situation was under warranty for the period listed below.The RV systems on this vehicle was confirmed working correctly over 4+ day period without any battery run down topics with new batteries installed. This is common practice with all motorhomes we work on and/or repair because the "dead battery" topic is the most common topic experienced with customers and their RV's.When this (or any) RV is parked, unoccupied, with all manually controlled lights turned off, coach battery disconnect turned off, and without shore power available or connected to maintain battery state of charge (in other words - storage conditions); this RV did not have any battery drain conditions present. If the coach batteries are left ON or manual lights are left turned on, the batteries can and will typically be discharged within 24 hours.As far as reason/causes for batteries to lose the charge or to experience a "battery run down condition", there are many possibilities and reasons! Some of the possible reasons can be the fault of the battery, but rarely! 90% of the causes for dead batteries in any type of an RV vehicle, motorhome or trailer, is typical an error of owner usage/lack of maintenance, fault within the motorhome or the age of the battery.Most users fail to turn the battery disconnects off when not in use to preserve the battery state of charge. When this occurs to any "automotive" type battery several times (battery discharge), the battery will no longer accept a charge or work properly and needs to be replaced for internal damage. In contrast, RV type batteries, tolerate this activity and will accept a recharge and perform normally once recharged.If a battery fails within the manufacturers warranty period, the battery can be replaced under the manufacturers warranty at no cost to the customer.In conclusion, **********************, **** could have provided this warranty service if the vehicle would have returned for said issue.>> Original Labor Writeup On Customer Invoice:4> Engine battery test good on initial testing but went dead after sitting parked. There is no current draw on the battery and was more than 5 years old). Replace the Engine battery and the ground cable battery terminal for condition. Crimp new terminal onto the cable.- Crimp new terminal onto the cable.- Coach batteries have little to no fluid present in the batteries (2 6 volt) and they are same age as the engine battery, more than 5 years old. Replace both 6 volt coach batteries.- Clean and repair the attaching coach battery cables, terminals and hold down hardware.>> Original Parts Installed Listed On Customer ********** ** Series 12 Volt Automotive Battery (ACDelco Branded Battery On Exterior Of Battery With Dating)2) GC2 6 Volt Deep Cycle Battery (FVP Branded Battery On Exterior Of Battery With Dating)- All Parts And Labor have a minimum of 12 months parts and labor warranty.- The 65 series ACDelco battery has a warranty from the date of purchase (based on invoice) of 18 months by the supplier/manufacturer (ACDelco).- The GC2 battery has a 12 month warranty from the date of purchase (based on invoice) of 12 months by the supplier/manufacturer (FVP).- Both battery warranties are applicable nationwide.- Battery warranty is valid with or without an invoice, warranty statement listed on the battery sticker as well as on the manufacturers website with locator.- All reputable shops know and understand the parts manufacturer/supplier warranties to service customer needs regardless of supplier/source.- Payment/Purchase of a replacement battery was not applicable due to the applicable warranty with or without original invoice.