Urgent! need people with knowledge with Honda's!

Here's my similar experience (From a previous post):

This just happened to me also (1991 Accord DX, 153k miles). I noticed
that the car is fine while the key stays in the "Start" position (the
engine catches), but the engine is killed when the key returns to "On"
position, which is the norm for driving. To make a long story short,
I changed the Main Relay to no avail, but have since tracked down and
replaced the "Steering Switch" (35130-SM4-305 for my model). This
switch is essentially the ignition switch that sits on the left side
of the steering column. Replacement work is straight forward and took
about 20 minutes if you have the part in hand. Simply remove the top
and bottom covers off of the steering column (5 screws total), and
find the white pastic switch on the left (It almost looks like a
bearing housing). Replace this and your car should work like a charm
again.


I live in the Bay Area, California, so purchasing from San Leandro
Honda (slhondaparts.com) was a cinch. I ordered online and picked up
in store, therwise you'll need to pay for shipping and taxes. The
cost of the part is $50, and I got a similar quote from hparts.com,
when they were still in business.

 

The top part would be the mechanical part, with the tumblers and the
cylinder, while the bottom part is the switch assembly that is turned when
the top part lets it. As others point out, getting the switch in and out is
not rocket science, and neither is the switch itself. The switch is widely
available with the wiring pigtail, but not really cheap. Firestone probably
won't have any source but the dealer.

The local Honda dealer should be able to quote you a price - parts and
labor - for replacing the switch. That should be about the price you would
expect from Firestone, since the labor rate will be in the ballpark and they
would need to charge the same amount for the switch. (Usually they would get
a discount that is roughly their cost for picking up a part like that.)
Troubleshooting labor isn't a factor, either, since the steps in finding out
what is wrong are part of replacing the switch... except for the part about
putting the key in the "top part" and seeing if it turns okay.

If you were doing it yourself you would have options for trying to revive
the switch, but a shop can't do that. If the resuscitated part dies, they
have to eat the labor to replace it and all the labor they put into it
originally - not a way to make money.

Mike

 

The top part would be the mechanical part, with the tumblers and the
cylinder, while the bottom part is the switch assembly that is turned when
the top part lets it. As others point out, getting the switch in and out is
not rocket science, and neither is the switch itself. The switch is widely
available with the wiring pigtail, but not really cheap. Firestone probably
won't have any source but the dealer.

The local Honda dealer should be able to quote you a price - parts and
labor - for replacing the switch. That should be about the price you would
expect from Firestone, since the labor rate will be in the ballpark and they
would need to charge the same amount for the switch. (Usually they would get
a discount that is roughly their cost for picking up a part like that.)
Troubleshooting labor isn't a factor, either, since the steps in finding out
what is wrong are part of replacing the switch... except for the part about
putting the key in the "top part" and seeing if it turns okay.

If you were doing it yourself you would have options for trying to revive
the switch, but a shop can't do that. If the resuscitated part dies, they
have to eat the labor to replace it and all the labor they put into it
originally - not a way to make money.

Mike

 

top part- metal lock cylinder/tumbler, where the key goes
bottom part- plastic switch where the wires go.

bottom part is bad, needs to be replaced. cant see the part being more
than $100 or so.

as usual, firestone, etc are clueless. theyre tire monkeys, not an auto
repair shop.

 

top part- metal lock cylinder/tumbler, where the key goes
bottom part- plastic switch where the wires go.

bottom part is bad, needs to be replaced. cant see the part being more
than $100 or so.

as usual, firestone, etc are clueless. theyre tire monkeys, not an auto
repair shop.

 

if they cant fix it? an hour of labor, tops.

 

if they cant fix it? an hour of labor, tops.

 

Would have been better to reply directly to the OP: your "similar
experience" is unrelated to this sub-thread, which deals with worn key
issues.

 

Would have been better to reply directly to the OP: your "similar
experience" is unrelated to this sub-thread, which deals with worn key
issues.

 

Haven't been through this with the Honda, but Honda wanted over $200 for the
switch for my son's Acura. It wasn't a lot better on line.

BTW, if they say the switch is bad because it was cracked in two, you can be
sure they overtightened the screws putting it back together. Don't ask how I
know <8^(

Mike

 

Haven't been through this with the Honda, but Honda wanted over $200 for the
switch for my son's Acura. It wasn't a lot better on line.

BTW, if they say the switch is bad because it was cracked in two, you can be
sure they overtightened the screws putting it back together. Don't ask how I
know <8^(

Mike

 

This morning I lost patience, no call again, so I call them, "oh, I'm gonna
call you right back with a quote". 20 minutes later, still nothing, I say
**** them and call them to tell them the towing is on it's way and get
things ready. He wanted to charge me 90 minutes, I said no way, finally I
agreed on 1hour and went to a Honda dealer and had great service, the
Firestone guy was full of shit, no "bottom part" or top part was broken! it
seems like the main problem was the key being worn out! So i paid for a new
key and for a fuse that the Firestone guy blew up, and 1h of labor. Glad I
did that, otherwise I'd probably still be here waiting for the Firestone guy
to change a perfectly working expensive thing and trying to make a $500 bill
for me.

Never go to the Firestone on Northwest Highway in North Dallas, unless you
like FRAUDS!!!!

 

This morning I lost patience, no call again, so I call them, "oh, I'm gonna
call you right back with a quote". 20 minutes later, still nothing, I say
**** them and call them to tell them the towing is on it's way and get
things ready. He wanted to charge me 90 minutes, I said no way, finally I
agreed on 1hour and went to a Honda dealer and had great service, the
Firestone guy was full of shit, no "bottom part" or top part was broken! it
seems like the main problem was the key being worn out! So i paid for a new
key and for a fuse that the Firestone guy blew up, and 1h of labor. Glad I
did that, otherwise I'd probably still be here waiting for the Firestone guy
to change a perfectly working expensive thing and trying to make a $500 bill
for me.

Never go to the Firestone on Northwest Highway in North Dallas, unless you
like FRAUDS!!!!

 

Worn key, huh?

Not frauds, just inexperienced with Hondas and afraid to admit it.

 

Worn key, huh?

Not frauds, just inexperienced with Hondas and afraid to admit it.

 

Well that's the fraud, if you can't do something, don't tell me you can do
it and make me waste 2 days without my car and having to get it towed here
and there

 

Well that's the fraud, if you can't do something, don't tell me you can do
it and make me waste 2 days without my car and having to get it towed here
and there

 

"Rattus the RAT" <> floridly
penned in

Who decided to bring it to Firestone?

Caveat Emptor.

 

"Rattus the RAT" <> floridly
penned in

Who decided to bring it to Firestone?

Caveat Emptor.

 

Sorry for the delay, but with x-mas wasn't thinking about Honda's

I'd try taking all the receipts, including the Firestone original
agreement, and concluding with the Honda finished product. Build a timeline
on the events; telling when you called, every time you called, the PROMISES
on when they would call back. The poor information on what they were
finding. Conclude with the fact that the Honda place replaced the part you
asked Firestone to replace and IT FIXED THE CAR.
The extra towing because of the loss in faith in the diagnostic
process/procedures and lack of keeping promises.

Now two ways you progress from here.
Talk to the store manager OR call a store and request the district managers
phone number. He is the big-wig in charge of a bunch of stores. Each store
manager reports to him or the assistant district manager.

Let them know how you paid 75 dollars or so for nothing and the dealer did
the exact thing you wanted and repaired the car. I'd even push for a refund.

Don't hold this against all Firestones. I could have fixed you car easily,
and I have no OFFICIAL Honda training. Cars are cars, the all operate on the
same principals


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Auto Technician