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View Full Version : Any mechanics out there?? I think I might be getting scammed.


crispystl
04-08-2007, 09:04 AM
I have an 91 acura integra that started the other morning then choked sputtered and died and after that would not start. I take it to the shop to have it put on the computer so after two days the guy calls and says the computer says crank sensor, so he says he tested the sensor and it's testing fine. so then he says he tested all the wires and they are fine. He finally says he thinks it needs the whole crank sensor assembly for 412 dollars. The thing is I can't find this part anywhere on the internet. Is there even such thing?

thanks

boogblaster
04-08-2007, 09:05 AM
Yes its a needed part ...but that sounds high to me ....

crispystl
04-08-2007, 09:08 AM
Yes its a needed part ...but that sounds high to me ....
Thats what thought. I mean damn I figured I could find it on the internet a little cheaper, but I can't find it anywhere.

KcMizzou
04-08-2007, 09:09 AM
Yeah... it's a crank shaft position sensor. Unsually it mounts on the front cover. They run maybe... $80-120 on GM products. I know nothing about Acuras though.

(I'm not sure what he means by "the whole assembly". Every crank sensor I've ever sold was just a little magnetic sensor about 2 or 3 inches long.)

Phobia
04-08-2007, 09:11 AM
Always get your old parts from the shop. It ensures they aren't ripping you off and if they are, it's evidence.

crispystl
04-08-2007, 09:16 AM
Yeah... it's a crank shaft position sensor. Unsually it mounts on the front cover. They run maybe... $80-120 on GM products. I know nothing about Acuras though.

(I'm not sure what he means by "the whole assembly". Every crank sensor I've ever sold was just a little magnetic sensor about 2 or 3 inches long.)
Thats what pisses me off. I dont know wtf he is talking about when he says the whole assembly. The dude acts kinda shady. I hate mechanics but nowadays sometimes you have to get it put on the computer.

KcMizzou
04-08-2007, 09:20 AM
If you can wait till tomorrow, call a dealership and ask for a price quote. That'll at least let you know if it's in the ball park.

Does this $400 include labor?

crispystl
04-08-2007, 09:22 AM
If you can wait till tomorrow, call a dealership and ask for a price quote. That'll at least let you know if it's in the ball park.

Does this $400 include labor?

No he says 412 for just the part. I'm pissed my car has been at his shop since wednesday. University garage actually right here in Columbia if you're familiar with them. KcMizzou

KcMizzou
04-08-2007, 09:24 AM
No he says 412 for just the part. I'm pissed my car has been at his shop since wednesday. University garage actually right here in Columbia if you're familiar with them. KcMizzou$412 sure sounds high to me too. Again though, I'm no Acura guy. I'd call a couple dealerships and compare.

Hog's Gone Fishin
04-08-2007, 09:25 AM
Sounds to me like they are trying to really stick it to you. Your problem sounds more like somebody has put sugar in your gas. I would suggest tasting the gas before coughing up 400 bucks for an item that doesn't exist.

KcMizzou
04-08-2007, 09:25 AM
Sounds to me like they are trying to really stick it to you. Your problem sounds more like somebody has put sugar in your gas. I would suggest tasting the gas before coughing up 400 bucks for an item that doesn't exist.It exists.

Hog's Gone Fishin
04-08-2007, 09:31 AM
No it doesn't. He should taste the gas!

KcMizzou
04-08-2007, 09:32 AM
No it doesn't. He should taste the gas!LMAO

Reading comprehension FTW! I totally missed the joke until you posted it a second time. :banghead:

blueballs
04-08-2007, 10:25 AM
I did a Yahoo search for Acura Integra
crank sensor and got several links
they want info you did not provide

Bugeater
04-08-2007, 10:28 AM
Honda/Acura parts are ridiculously expensive.

Stewie
04-08-2007, 10:49 AM
I had a '94 Acura Legend GS. It had all the expensive parts (hi performance brakes, etc.). The cost for the camshaft position sensor online is $149. It shouldn't be more than that for your Acura. Here's a link to one store:

http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/wizard.jsp?year=1994&make=AC&model=LEG-4DGS-001&category=All&part=Camshaft%20Position%20Sensor&dp=false

Believer
04-08-2007, 11:36 AM
sounds like it needs a Johnson Rod*

*see Seinfeld references

Brock
04-08-2007, 12:02 PM
Call nearest import salvage. Buy used part. Install yourself. 100 dollars max.

chiefforlife
04-08-2007, 01:21 PM
I own an automotive repair shop in Colorado. Tomorrow Ill put an estimate together for this repair. I can tell you the part does exist, it isnt hard to replace and I wont guess at the price of the part.
We ALWAYS recommend tasting the gas in your vehicle, especially before authorizing the repair...

Extra Point
04-08-2007, 01:42 PM
I own an automotive repair shop in Colorado. Tomorrow Ill put an estimate together for this repair. I can tell you the part does exist, it isnt hard to replace and I wont guess at the price of the part.
We ALWAYS recommend tasting the gas in your vehicle, especially before authorizing the repair...

If I were an automotive specialist, I'd test the gas before the customer tastes it, but I'm funny that way.

JS'in ya. I agree about testing the gas, but if this guy says the CPS indicates it's out on the computer, he just needed to show the customer the P code on the screen and the book where it's called out.

chiefforlife
04-08-2007, 01:48 PM
I was trying to envision him tasting the gas...haha. Keep in mind a 91 Acura is OBD1 and there may not be a P code for the crank signal but if you put it on a lab scope you would see there is no signal from the crank sensor. No way it should have taken 2 days to diagnose.

Iowanian
04-09-2007, 09:30 AM
My first guess would have been fuel filter or fuel pump, but I don't think that sounds unreasonable for the next guess.

Fish
04-09-2007, 09:37 AM
I had to replace a cam shaft position sensor in a 95 Ford Ranger, and the part alone was over $430. I bought the part myself and checked many different parts dealers and salvage yards before finding that price. Not saying every sensor would be this expensive, but mine was...

bronco610
04-09-2007, 09:44 AM
If the sensor tested fine then there is a good chance a new one wont fix the problem. Acura and honda use belts to run the timing between the crank and the cam. From what you describe there is a chance it jumped time and that is the first thing he should of checked. If it did good luck as the car has what is called an interference engine. This means if it goes out of time a piston will hit a valve. The belts are supposed to be changed every 60-80,000 miles.

crispystl
04-09-2007, 11:55 AM
If the sensor tested fine then there is a good chance a new one wont fix the problem. Acura and honda use belts to run the timing between the crank and the cam. From what you describe there is a chance it jumped time and that is the first thing he should of checked. If it did good luck as the car has what is called an interference engine. This means if it goes out of time a piston will hit a valve. The belts are supposed to be changed every 60-80,000 miles.

I thought it probably jumped time too, but he called and said that the sensor was the problem and it's ready to go. I guess i was mistaken and the sensor didn't test fine. He said the sensor was passing the test but at the very minimum voltage.

Hog's Gone Fishin
04-09-2007, 01:18 PM
Jesus Christ, don't you guys understand the only way to test the gas is the taste test! Therse's sugar in it I tell ya!

stlchiefs
04-09-2007, 01:47 PM
Honda/Acura parts are ridiculously expensive.

Calling rexjake

StcChief
04-09-2007, 02:05 PM
Calling rexjake
shhhhh. It's fixed and good for another 100K miles.

recxjake
04-09-2007, 02:17 PM
$412 ?!?! That can get you two months in a brand new Saturn Aura!...

chiefforlife
04-09-2007, 05:34 PM
The crank sensor on this vehicle is part of the distributor, thats why its so expensive. The labor calls for .6 to .8 of an hour depending on which labor guide your shop uses.
Dont assume all shops are crooks. Hope this helps, most crank sensors are seperate and much cheaper.
Make sure the timing belt isnt broken, you wont get a crank signal if the timing belt is broken.

Donger
04-09-2007, 05:47 PM
I own an automotive repair shop in Colorado. Tomorrow Ill put an estimate together for this repair. I can tell you the part does exist, it isnt hard to replace and I wont guess at the price of the part.
We ALWAYS recommend tasting the gas in your vehicle, especially before authorizing the repair...

Whereabouts in Colorado?

Donger
04-09-2007, 05:51 PM
$412 ?!?! That can get you two months in a brand new Saturn Aura!...

They pay you to drive those? You hadn't told us that. I might be interested if they pay me to drive them.

chiefforlife
04-09-2007, 06:09 PM
Whereabouts in Colorado?

Longmont, about 10 miles from planet Boulder. North of Denver.
I wish sometimes, I were closer to the KC area, especially after reading some of the threads about automotive shops on this board. We are not all crooks, I have dedicated my entire life to this industry and so has my staff. We have to fight the reputation of this business on a daily basis. Most of the negativity towards shops, Im afraid is earned. There ARE shops that do care, Ive been known to lose money on occasion. I try to look at it through the customers eyes and if, from that perspective it seems fishy, Ill fix it anyway at no charge. I dont make money that day but It sometimes makes for a lifetime customer. Im in it for the longhaul. My name is on the building, my personal phone number is in the phone book. Perhaps you guys should look for a shop like mine. Its too easy to hide behind a national chain or large franchise.
Sorry for rambling on but this issue gets me going.

cdcox
04-09-2007, 06:09 PM
Several years ago, I had an Escort that needed a new oxygen sensor. The dealer quoted me $350, installed. I bought a new part at the auto parts store for $90 and installed it in 20 minutes.

Donger
04-09-2007, 06:14 PM
Longmont, about 10 miles from planet Boulder. North of Denver.
I wish sometimes, I were closer to the KC area, especially after reading some of the threads about automotive shops on this board. We are not all crooks, I have dedicated my entire life to this industry and so has my staff. We have to fight the reputation of this business on a daily basis. Most of the negativity towards shops, Im afraid is earned. There ARE shops that do care, Ive been known to lose money on occasion. I try to look at it through the customers eyes and if, from that perspective it seems fishy, Ill fix it anyway at no charge. I dont make money that day but It sometimes makes for a lifetime customer. Im in it for the longhaul. My name is on the building, my personal phone number is in the phone book. Perhaps you guys should look for a shop like mine. Its too easy to hide behind a national chain or large franchise.
Sorry for rambling on but this issue gets me going.

If my vehicles ever need work, I'll contact you. I live in the metro area, and share your business philosophy.

chiefforlife
04-09-2007, 06:17 PM
Several years ago, I had an Escort that needed a new oxygen sensor. The dealer quoted me $350, installed. I bought a new part at the auto parts store for $90 and installed it in 20 minutes.

Stay away from dealerships. Everything is less expensive if you do it yourself. You have to remember a shop is like any other business, it has a tremendous amount of overhead.

A steak is cheaper at the grocery store then at a nice restaurant...

chiefforlife
04-09-2007, 06:21 PM
If my vehicles ever need work, I'll contact you. I live in the metro area, and share your business philosophy.

I would be honored to help another Chiefs fan, we have an unwritten discount for all Chiefs fans.

cdcox
04-09-2007, 06:57 PM
Stay away from dealerships. Everything is less expensive if you do it yourself. You have to remember a shop is like any other business, it has a tremendous amount of overhead.

A steak is cheaper at the grocery store then at a nice restaurant...

I do a fair amount of my own work (brake jobs, oil changes, water pumps, belt changes, etc). I've got a friend who charges $25 an hour plus cost on parts for more difficult stuff, or when I don't have time to figure out how to do a job I've never tried before. I only use dealers for warranty work or as a last resort when my friend can't work me in.

Private shops like yours are few and far between these days.