Quote:
Originally Posted by trekkor
The diagnosis on this was a 30 second session with an OBD2 reader.
Glow plug #3.
Ford wanted to charge me $110 just to code it.
I took it to a friend's shop and he read the code.
I bought my own reader.
Diagnosis was having the tool...
KT
|
This shows how little you know about the diagnosis tree. I PROMISE you the code didn't say "replace #3 glow plug". I'm sure it said something like, #3 glow plug circuit high, or low, or open or something like that. Yes, this USUALLY means that that affected part is bad, but not always. What if you would have put the part on and the code was still there? They wont take the part back and now you have to get the book out and trace wires, run diagnostic tests, etc. Those are things, the dealer does before they condemn the part itself.
Not saying the dealer costs arent high, but they do have a lot of overhead and the diagnostic tools are not cheap. Most of todays vehicles can be updated/repaired by doing software updates, which can only be done through their system. The advantage of using a dealer is that they are ultimately familiar with your vehicle and all the bulletins, etc associated with it.
But you can thank Ford for the flat rate system. It may have saved them in the 20's, but its time is long gone. Unfortunately, the customer is the one who takes the hit.