Cost of replacing the IAC Module

[S. Allen]

Well, I called a few places to try to get a handle on a price for the IAC module for my 95 Explorer.

(Hey, I have cleaned it and cleaned it, now I am getting a howling noise....its 6 years old and has 135K miles on it...its time to chunk it! - what else in your Ex lasts that long and does not need replacing, right?)

The Ford dealers want $139.93 for the IAC module. The local Carquest auto parts wants $76 dollars for it. Now, I know the dealer is usualy higher on parts, but not usually by THAT much of a margin - usually only about 10-15% higher than the parts stores.

Theres just not alot to this part and I wonder if there is a whole lot of difference in the Ford part and the aftermarket part. I looked at the aftermarket part at Carquest on my way home yesterday and it's a spitting image of the Ford part and doesn't look cheezier or less quality.

Anyone have any expereinces with aftermarket IAC modules? Are they crap or do they get the job done? Is it best to suck it up and pay for the Ford part?

I know some auto part store stuff is inferior (like belts and hoses) to the Ford/Motorcraft stuff, but theres a huge price difference here. I have used Carquest aftermarket 02 sensors, etc. in my 91 Ranger and they have worked just fine.

Should I try the Carquest part? They guarantee it to work or my money back?

Thanks,

-SA

PS: I looked around the internet and could not find a place that sells this part...any suggestions? Will they be cheaper?

 

[AgExplorer]

Get the CarQuest part. You'll be fine. I'm assuming you'll be replacing it yourself.

 

[S. Allen]

I thought so!

I'll buy the Carquest part.

Ford is just too high on parts...who do they think they are? BMW? Seriously, we used to own a 1989 325i and some Ford parts on this 95 Explorer rival comparable parts on the Bimmer in price...go figure!

Ford was also close to double the price on the EGR valve too. The Carquest 65 dollar jobber worked just fine on my old 91 Ranger.

thanks,

-SA

 

[Curtis]

I had this replaced on my 96 because of a "huming noise". Ford Charged me $139 for the part and $80 labor! I complained when I saw that there are only 2 small bolts and wire connection. Ford said it took that long to diagnose the IAC. They said they would take it off and put my old one back on but I would still have to pay for labor. Never went back to that Ford dealer again.

My 2 cents.

 

[S. Allen]

80 bucks for LABOR??

Whew major BOHICA! (Bend Over Here It Comes Again)

thats steep!

Do you know that it takes two small bolts that anyone can reach to get this part off?

It never ceases to amaze me how dealerships try to rape people. Thats just plain highway robbery!

Yep, you could have bought the thing at Carquest and installed it in the parking lot with a simple socket set in about 3 minutes and been out about 76 bucks and not even one dirty finger.

Nice...huh? (and they didn't even kiss you)

ALWAYS check HERE FIRST, before handing your wallet to the Ford dealership...it'll save you every time!

-SA

 

[Robert]

Your dealer will always charge you for the time they spent diagnosing a problem as well as the labor to repair it. If they spent 55 minutes tracking down the hum, and then spent 5 minutes replacing the IAC, they would charge for 1 hour of labor.

My dealer even had the balls to try and charge me 1/2 hour labor to diagnose a bent seat tilt lever after I told them it was bent. I had my Explorer in for several items to be repaired. One item was the bent lever. I asked them to replace it if my extended warranty company would pay for it. My warranty company wouln't pay for it so I told the dealer that I would live with the bent lever. When I went to pick it up, there was a charge for almost $40 for 1/2 hour of labor to diagnose bent seat tilt lever. I argued with the Service Advisor that I didn't think I should have to pay them to open up my door and say "yup, it's bent". He agreed to remove it from my bill.

 

[Longs]

10-15% higher is way too low of an estimate of dealer price versus auto store price. Many things are more than twice the cost at a dealer...

 

[SteveVB]

FPN

Should check with Torrie at Ford Parts Network.

I priced a brake booster and a fan clutch at the local parts place, local Ford, and FPN. Torries prices were with in a couple of dolllars of the local parts place, and 30-40 less than Local Ford. These were for genuine Ford parts.

He has a banner at the top of this site.

 

[Curtis]

To add to my 2 cents I had written above, I put my X in because of a huming problem and went back later that day to pick it up and Ford said they couldnt find a huming problem. I know the truck only did it when the engin was hot so I sat on the parkinglot with my X in drive and foot on the brake for about 10 minutes. It was about 98° out that day too. Finally the hum started. I went back in and got the service advisor, he came out, listened, and said "Oh yeah, thats the IAC. Bring it back tomorrow and we'll fix it."
And they still charged me $80 to diagnose after the service advisor heard it the day before!

 

[TPLYNCH]

He charged you $80 to walk outside, away from his nice A/C'd comfort my man! I wonder how much that worked out to per step...........