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Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair

5872 messages,  Last post on Jun 11, 2013 at 7:56 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 570 of 588

#5689 of 5872 Re: Replacing starter on 2003 Accord LX MT [mitsu3] by mrbill1957

Jul 29, 2011 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: mitsu3 (Jul 29, 2011 10:46 am)
You can get an original Honda starter (online) for $375, list price is $480. Remanufactured starters run around $150 but a Honda dealer probably would not install one.
 
 I just looked at the service manual and it says the intake manifold has to be removed to gain access to the starter. I verifyied by looking at my 04 Accord and yes, the starter is behind the intake manifold. I can't tell for sure if it can be sneaked out somehow, but if it can't, then a good chunk of the $725 is going to be labor removing/replacing just the manifold. The starter only has a couple of bolts and could easly be replaced if the manifold wasn't in the way.
 
Mrbill

#5690 of 5872 - by dudleyr

Jul 30, 2011 (5:50 pm)

When the starter went on my Integra I just replaced the brushes. Didn't even have to remove the starter. It worked fine. Total cost about $20.
 
Don't know why people want to take the hard route all the time. Oh yeah - profit!
 
Be green and save money at the same time. Replace the brushes.

#5691 of 5872 Re: Replacing starter on 2003 Accord LX MT [mitsu3] by cnickie

Aug 01, 2011 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: mitsu3 (Jul 29, 2011 10:46 am)
I would try a different dealership. I call 2 in my area, orange county, ca. one quoted 583.00 ther quoted 475.00 + 40.00 off coupon. Actually neg to 400.00 cash total. with genuine Honda Starter and Warranty. Call around. We have both honda serviced there on regular basis for oil change, etc. It pays in the long run.
 
In this Economy....CASH speaks volumes.....

#5692 of 5872 Re: Replacing starter on 2003 Accord LX MT [cnickie] by sockpuppet1969

Aug 03, 2011 (8:56 am)

Replying to: cnickie (Aug 01, 2011 7:22 pm)
No way taking your car to a dealer for routine service "pays in the long run" other than making the dealer's boat payment. You pay more per/hour for service and there is a much bigger markup on the parts. In my experience they also "offer" a lot of unnecessary services. Find yourself a good local garage and get it done there if you don't want to do it yourself.
 
There is a took on the Car Talk website to help you find a reputable local mechanic: Car Talk Mechanics File
 
Here is an article from Edmunds on Corner Garage vs. Dealer Service Department

#5693 of 5872 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX by mr_gone

Aug 03, 2011 (9:29 am)

Sockpuppet -- I think you overstate the case for finding someone other than a dealer to work on your car. In fact, the Edmunds article you cite says there are plenty of reasons to go with a dealer, as well as reasons to select an independent mechanic.
 
As someone shopping for a used car now, I'm much more inclined to buy one that has a well-documented Carfax showing the car was serviced regularly by a dealer. If the current owner took the car to an independent shop, I have no idea whether that shop knows what it is doing or not.
 
As for parts, I've made the mistake of buying after-market struts instead of OEMs, only to have them fail in 25,000 miles. Did I save money? No, I spent A LOT MORE than I would have just by going to the dealer in the first place.

#5694 of 5872 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [mr_gone] by sockpuppet1969

Aug 03, 2011 (2:35 pm)

Replying to: mr_gone (Aug 03, 2011 9:29 am)
There is no guarantee that the dealer mechanic knows what they are doing either so "dealer only" service is meaningless in my opinion when buying used. My mechanic will gladly use OEM parts if I ask, which I usually do. A good, honest independent mechanic is worth their weight in gold. My experience with dealers is that they will try to up-sell you as much as possible on unneeded services/inspections every chance they get. I only take my car to the dealer for repairs covered by warranty or recall.

#5695 of 5872 Re: Replacing starter on 2003 Accord LX MT [sockpuppet1969] by blufz1

Aug 04, 2011 (7:53 am)

Replying to: sockpuppet1969 (Aug 03, 2011 8:56 am)
No way I'm taking my car to some "would be" independent garage. I have 1 dealer do all my maintenance work,including body work,and state inspection. Harder for them to make mistakes,if they only work on 1 brand of car,and attend brand only tech schools. I get a little goodwill that way and it's worked out well for me.

#5696 of 5872 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [sockpuppet1969] by michael2595

Aug 04, 2011 (9:03 am)

Replying to: sockpuppet1969 (Aug 03, 2011 2:35 pm)
you hit the nail on the head... I yanked out my whole brake system within warrant ty at an independent who did a magnificent job for at least 60% of the dealer cost.. On the brakes I didnt want OEM becuase they were worthless.. I was told my brakes and rotors were shot becuase I didnt know how to drive.. After getting up off the floor I asked the Honda Service Manager If I should take driving lessons after driving for 40 years.. The icing on the cake was when they wanted 100 dollars to change my cabin filter.. Lets see, I bought the filter for 15 dollars and it took me 5 minutes to install... I have a wonderful mechanic who knows Hondas real well.. With the money I save taking my cars tohim instead of the dealers I can put my kid through college.. THe service dept is the only real profit center at a dealer.. I will take my Honda that apparently dont know how ro drive to my mechanic.

#5697 of 5872 Plenty of Honda-Certified Independent Mechanics by igozoomzoom

Aug 05, 2011 (4:41 am)

In most suburban areas, you will find more than a few independent shops that specialize in Honda and Acura vehicles. I know of at least five here in the North Metro Atlanta area. They are all owned and operated by former Honda dealership technicians and/or service managers! After seeing how much the dealers were making, they realized that they could offer lower prices and triple or quadruple their earnings at the same time!
 
I want someone who knows my car inside and out, but I don't have to pay dealer prices to get it!

#5698 of 5872 Re: replacing a starter on 2003 Accord LX [michael2595] by ezshift5

Aug 05, 2011 (7:33 am)

Replying to: michael2595 (Aug 04, 2011 9:03 am)
............the Gen7 cabin air filter change price of a C-note at the dealer is really criminal..................
 
"Let the buyer beware" would truly seem approprite in this case.
 
ez

Messages Page 570 of 588

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