Dealership wants 360 for a new battery and to replace a corroded cable? Is this a special cable--am I missing something

 

The battery and cable are for a 2004 tl

 

um i got a new battery from costco for like $80 bucks for my car and if there is a bad cable is it at the battery terminal connection?? if so just order the cable from an auto part store and install yourself. they are probably charging you 3 hours of labor at like $75 per hour plus parts thats just how a business operates and makes money

 

thanks--it is not at the connectors-autozone doesn't carry the cable--understand the need for the business to make money just didn't want them to make it all on this problem

 

lol yea it sucks when they gouge on something small... did they tell you what cable is bad? i mean if its something you can do or if you are handy it shouldn't be too hard and you can save yourself some $$ .... how did they know the cable was bad in the first place?

 

I would try a Honda dealership if you are going to Acura. I was paying about $85 for my full synthetic oil change at Acura and now go to the Honda dealership that does it for $50 (with a 10% military discount).

 

^^Thats not a bad option.
You can also get yourself some 4gauge wire and connectors and replace the cables yourself. I saw a great article about the "Big 3" cables to replace before you put an audio system in. Try here:
http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthre.../312025/page/1

 

The cable wire is corroded? Seriously, on a 6 year old car.

That sounds suspicious to me. I would double check that.

Just get a battery from an auto parts store, costco or sams club.

 

I smell a rat....

Help us out. If not at the connectors, where exactly is the corrosion? Have they shown it to you? If not, ask them to show you the corrosion.

On another note, if that battery happens to be one that replaced your original battery under warranty, it has a a pro-rated warranty which may still be in effect. Look in your warranty booklet.

 

I had my battery replaced by Acura last month under warranty for free (4 yrs/unlimited miles).

 

First of all, why do you guys go to Acura for these things? why go there for oil changes, or any fluid changes? what is the point? Unless its a warranty issue with something that went bad on the car, then yes! but anything else, its pointless, its a waste of your money and time. (what is it, like an hr for an oil change?) waste of my nerves.
I get sick to my stomach every time im at the parts dept ordering stuff and seeing people walk in and buy oil, or any other fluids. There's better oils elsewhere, and 5-20 sucks for your car..thought you should know that.
I don't know why everyone's under the impression that everything should be done at the dealer. It shouldn't! I know some think that in the end, dealer records would somehow contribute to something good should the owners ever try and sell their Acura's...its just a freaking oil change, and getting it done somewhere else doesn't devalue the car. Oh, and get your wipers at an auto parts store please!!!!

A new decent battery shouldn't cost more than $100, like others stated...as far as the cable goes, if its the G1 ground cable, which is a 10" cable or so, anyone that can spin a screw driver can change it..if its the starter cable, which runs from the +terminal to the fuse box, and also splits and runs to the starter, is still fairly easy to do.

Those are the only 2 cables from the battery.

G1 ground cable=$10 (-)Batt terminal-to-body
Starter cable=$32 (+)Batt terminal-to-fuse box-to-starter

Check out part # 8 & 11

http://acuraautomotiveparts.org/acur...s=&view=normal

 

its probably just built up oxidation from the terminal all over the cable clamp..that can easily be cleaned and greased and good to go...
that's a result of the battery drying out...now the cable would have to be covered like that for a long long long long ass time, to become corroded on the inside to the point where conduction becomes an issue.

 

Wife dropped off call at Acura dealership for recall issue-- and had them check the battery,when I picked it up, cleaned it up worked on the connectors and it is runniing like a champ--thanks for the input and I agree--dealerships trying for the big score

 

Good deal, glad it worked out. I continue to be amazed at what shops/dealerships will try to get away with. They told you (your wife) no less than 3 lies:

1. That you needed a new battery.
2. That you needed a new cable.
3. That the cable corrosion was not at the connectors.

I guess the 4th lie was that it should cost $360 to replace a battery and cable. Did you complain to the service manager? At any rate, now you know to tread carefully with that dealership...

 

I totally agree. OEM parts are really good, but why buy from the dealer and pay full price + tax. Buy your parts online, and either install them yourself, or have a qualified local mechanic shop that your trust install it. I hate going to the dealer for anything. They try and upsell you on things you don't need and take way too long to do anything, 1 hr + for an oil change is ridiculous.