Jim Yanik wrote:
> jim beam <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in
> news:qu6dnftmSYDMkevVnZ2dnUVZ_rPinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t:
>
>> Jim Yanik wrote:
>>> motsco_ <motsco_@interbaun.com> wrote in
>>> news:HP6dnVzCvLKRB-jVnZ2dnUVZ_tTinZ2d@posted.uniservecommunications:
>>>
>>>> Steve wrote:
>>>>> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 120,000 miles auto.
>>>>> Went out to lunch yesterday and the car would not start.
>>>>> Turned over strong but not firing..
>>>>> Called AAA, he banged on the gas tank and it started. ran for a few
>>>>> minutes and I shut it off. it would not start again.
>>>>> Towed to garage .
>>>>> The next day the car started everytime they tried it.
>>>>> They told me about $500 for a fuel pump installed.
>>>>> I'm going to wait and see what happens.
>>>>> I picked the car up and I'll make sure I have my cellphone at all
>>>>> times.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any Ideas what might cause this?
>>>>> It was HOT, in the 90s, The car had sit for 11 days and was 1st day
>>>>> back to work after vacation.
>>>> ==========================
>>>> When the main relay starts to fail, it prevents the fuel pump from
>>>> priming the engine when you turn the key to position II. Turn off
>>>> you radio and LISTEN when you get in your car. Listen to the fuel
>>>> pump run for two seconds. If you don't hear it, your car isn't going
>>>> to start unless you smack the dash with your left fist (and the
>>>> relay runs) then it will start. This problem usually happens when
>>>> the car gets HOT inside. That's why it will start OK after you cool
>>>> the car down, or put it in a shady place at the dealership.
>>>>
>>>> Google 'honda main relay' and find a geek who can remove / resolder
>>>> yours.
>>>>
>>>> 'Curly'
>>>>
>>> you'd think that garages would know about the Honda/Acura main relay
>>> by now.....
>>>
>> c'mon dude, why sell a $50 repair when you can sell a $500 repair
>> instead?
>>
>
> a $500 repair that would not have fixed his problem.
>
> a garage still could make a good profit replacing his relay,charging their
> hourly rate plus the part's "cost" + markup,AND have a happy,satisfied
> customer.
>
> I think it's more ignorance of auto repair than intentional parts-selling.
>

maybe, maybe not. but i wouldn't put money on them not over-selling.
it's absolutely rife in the industry. whole new braking systems after
only 15k miles? twice? master cylinder, disks, drums, calipers, hoses
[sic] the lot - that was a friend of mine at san francisco honda. he
asked me after the second time [about 45k miles] whether this was
normal...