Car Repair Quote (Fair Price?)

[shin_mitsugi]

So my 2003 G35 automatic sedan's ECU blew up. Sad, I know. The worst news about it is that it blew out the ignition coils with it.

Took it to a repair shop that I usually think is pretty cheap and he says the car needs a new ECU, all 6 ignition coils and a the ignition key reprogrammed to the new ECU.

He said he got the ECU from a junkyard but with the ECU, the coil, the programming of the key and the labor, the total came to $1500.

My understanding was that the coils with labor and shipping were going to be $600 total.
The ECU was $600 + labor.
The key was like $125 or something.

I'm told a blown up ECU isn't too uncommon for an infiniti. It's got 85,000 miles on it.

What do you think, pretty fair? Or am I getting screwed?

[kmckis1029]

wow i havent seen a thread like this here, but i know fixing electronics issues can get pricey. Call the infiniti dealer and get a quote from them also, then you will at least know if you getting a better deal than what the dealer is charging.

May i ask how you blow an ECU and coils?

[joe603]

First I've ever heard of it...ECUs outlast most other components usually.

[kmckis1029]

same thing i'm thinking lol

[telcoman]

So my 2003 G35 automatic sedan's ECU blew up. Sad, I know. The worst news about it is that it blew out the ignition coils with it.

Took it to a repair shop that I usually think is pretty cheap and he says the car needs a new ECU, all 6 ignition coils and a the ignition key reprogrammed to the new ECU.

He said he got the ECU from a junkyard but with the ECU, the coil, the programming of the key and the labor, the total came to $1500.

My understanding was that the coils with labor and shipping were going to be $600 total.
The ECU was $600 + labor.
The key was like $125 or something.

I'm told a blown up ECU isn't too uncommon for an infiniti. It's got 85,000 miles on it.

What do you think, pretty fair? Or am I getting screwed?

What were you doing immediately prior to your malfunction?
Did you happen to have a kite tied to your bumper during a thunderstorm?

I would never let someone who is cheap touch my G

Get a second opinion at an Infiniti dealer. Ask for the service manager and request that their top most experienced technician check out your car.

Telcoman

[tollboothwilley]

I have a set of coil packs I can sell you for much cheaper - they only have 12,000 miles on them...

ECU going bad are NOT a common issue. Whatever he is saying about that is just not accurate.

You can probably find an ECU for $200 bucks, Coil packs are normally like $90/ea but I have 6 from a spare motor that I'll sell for a fraction of that! Install of the coil packs = 1 hour. Install of the ECU = 20 min.

You can do all this yourself(if it is the problem) and be out $350 or so plus the cost of key reprogramming instead of the $1500. Even if you pay someone to do the labor, it shouldn't be charged for more than 2 hours time.

If you lived close to me I'd help you for next to nothing as well.

[shin_mitsugi]

Man...just makes me feel bad. Where can I find an ECU for $200??

[tollboothwilley]

lots of places. I had an ecu for a 2005-2006 5AT that i sold for $200 + shipping.

send me a PM and i can direct you to a few places.

Coils = $120 plus shipping
ECU = about $200 plus shipping (maybe even less)
** YOU NEED TO CHECK THE BUILD DATE OF YOUR CAR TO GET THE PROPER ECU - SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FRAME**

install = 2 hours @ $90 = $180 (varies depending on your mecahnics prices or if you do it yourself)

ECU reprogram at dealership = 1 hour @ $100-125

[tollboothwilley]

I see some for sale from $85-250. Need to check build date and your VIN# to compare and make sure its the right part.