• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Super mouse [2]!

Share this page

PAUL161

PAUL161

Great Pumpkin
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Well, would you believe the dealer estimated the cost to repair at, ready?? $1500.00!!! Said they would have to pull the right fender off and to do that the grill has to come off. Since I've done a lot of work on these old cars of ours and replacing wire harnesses and such, usually with no instructions, I decided to look at it myself. I can repair the harness without pulling any sheet metal! I don't know where these guys are coming from with their prices, but I'm not about to contribute putting his kids through college! I've ordered the correct wiring, connectors with heat shrink covering and outer harness protective covering. My cost, about 65 bucks. and a few hours work. Nt an easy job getting to the main harness, but doable. I know they're going to ask how I did it, but I'll never give them a clue! :devilgrin: Oh, I'm such a meanie. :highly_amused:
 
Last edited:
PAUL161 said:
$1500.00!!!
Click to expand...
That's about typical. The killer is the $100/hr for dealer labor.

I had a short in the tailgate electric lock wiring in our Subaru. Dealer wanted, IIRC, $1,200 to replace the tailgate harness. I, like you, said no thanks. A downloaded shop manual, some extra wire, solder and electrical tape, and we're good to go.
 
It's a zero sum game. What saved in servicing the modern cars we own, is roughly balanced by what I pay out for professional service. Most modern German autos are sensitive to difference in wire length and gauge and will often flag codes. Replacing a new battery requires code resets generally accessible by dealers and professional mechanics. Considering the 2019 Toyota RAV 4 (hybrid0 for next car. GONZO
 
I'm considering a late sixties through mid 80s diesel Mercedes or an early Miata for my next new car. I would say a 2002 BMW but the prices on those has shot through the roof in the past few years.
 
About 5 years ago, I got a "fixit" ticket from Hiway Patrol for license plate light not working---I was due for service the next day, so I mentioned it to the dealer service manager--the mech man
replaced the bulb, didn't work, so after fussing around with it, he said he would have to remove the headliner, and look for the "break" and follow the wiring to the fuse box--he said maybe $400-$500--
I said I would get back to him--the car was an 8 year old Ford Focus--bought brand new--around 60,000 miles--I had had so much trouble with it--- some covered by warranty, and some not-I decided that when I got the ticket
written off, I would trade it in for a new Honda Fit--I went to the local Hiway Patrol office, and ask about the ticket--and what to do--(The car would probably be sent directly to recycling yard--since it really wasn't worth anything except parting out)--but still the ticket had to be taken care of--he was very nice--he said all he has to see to cancel the ticket is to see the light work. He said go home and run a wire directly from the accessary plug in the dash , to the light--So I went home and was looking at the rubber covered cable from the hatchback door (top) and noticed it was frayed--and sure enough the wire to the light was broken (worn through)--I ran a wire from the plug to the light, it worked, took my wife and my checkbook to the Hiway Patrol office, he saw the light, and
canceled the ticket--then we drove directly to the Honda dealer a mile away, and 2 hours later drove home in a new Honda Fit--it has 80,000 miles on it now--absolutely no problems. I called the Ford Focus service manager the next day and told him what happened--and he said that perhaps if one opens the hatchback door often enough it might fray the rubber boot and wiring--
 
After my Wife crashed her 2007 Fusion,we bought a 2010 Fusion.
There was a smell inside of it.She decided that changing the cabin filter might
cure it.She came in the house after attempting this,& suggested that I take
care of it.
Turns out that there was a mouse nest above the glove box.I pulled out
a LOT of mouse fur,& found the mouse (deceased).
I think we finally got rid of the smell.

View attachment 57447View attachment 57448
 
Back
Top