Someone make me feel better, I just got a price on a new alt. and battery.
over $500 $$$$. Is this a far price?
I just opted for a alt. at $415. labor and parts. there was no problem with batt.
I checked it out before they got it. it just discharged down by the time i got it to the dealer.

 

First, you took your truck to a dealer, not Ford. Second, what's the breakdown? You should probably pay an hour for diagnosis and an hour for the alternator. The rest should be for parts. Did you get a rebuilt or brand new?

 

Can you help? I need to know which fuse is for the horn and cruise controll for a 1997 f150.

 

scuze,

You may have paid a little too much. How many hours did they charge and what was the rate? It takes less than an ½ hour to swap an alternator and battery,and with the right tools 15-20 minutes to diagnose.

JMC

 

It doesn't matter how long it actually takes, each job has a flat rate, and that's what's charged. Most shops use Chilton's or Mitchell's rates.

 

Well I don't think anyone has made me feel better.
It is a factory brand new alt. As for where I've taken it, it is a ford dealer, that is as close as I can come to (Ford). It's anyone ones guess as to what a independent
might get for the job. And as I was heading down the fwy it was all I had time for
before the batt. hit bottom. I did mention that the're ford tec. need to get some tools, because it should take no more the an hour to get it done, and eat lunch at the same time. Out here in the bend over state new alts. go for over $200. plus labor, got to remenber 2bed two bath goes for 1800- 2500 average, average
house 4000, I guess we're just use to getting screwed.
Thanks anyway

 

Sorry scuze1butt. You may have got it cheaper at an independent shop, but generally the Ford alternators are great quality, in the long run, you'll be better off then with a generic rebuild. The only time I go with a rebuild, is when I go to an alternator shop (don't know if the have them in your area). They fix alternators all day, and usually only replace what's necessary inside the alternator. I can't make you feel better, but maybe I can help you understand a little. What I am going to say applies to good technicians. I know there are ripp-off artists and incompetant techs out there, but that's another story. First, years ago, people would bring there vehicles in for a diagnosis. The shop would call and say, we found that your alternator is the problem. The customer would think "I can replace that" and take the vehicle. The shop was out the time they spent and the knowledge they used (if the customer possesed the knowledge, they wouldn't have brought it in). Next, technicians own a lot of expensive tools, because they need them. Your average tech has around $20,000 worth of tools. Why? Because they get paid a flat rate and good tools help get the job done properly and quickly. A Craftsman air ratchet sells for about $100, but probably won't remove a spark plug. A Snap-On costs a little over $300, and can take an engine apart. You can see why you would buy the snap-on. The flat rate comes from the books mention previously. Nearly every job has a rate in hours. Say an intake manifold job on a 91 F-150 5.8 might pay 5.5 hours. That's what the tech get's paid whether it takes 3 hours or 9 hours, so it's to his benefit, and ours, to do the job quickly and properly. The job doesn't pay twice, so he want's to get it done properly once. Like I said, you're out the money and probably don't feel any better, but maybe next time, this perspective will help you understand what's going on.

 

WELL said
momalle1

Techs always getting a bum rap.


We get customers all day long that tried to save a buck and end up paying more.

There's an old Chinese proverb:

"Cheap thing no good.
Good thing no cheap."

 

I don't think the techs are getting a bum rap it is the dealers. IMHO if you are stuck go to a dealer if not find a shop you can trust and go there. The techs there will get to know your vehicle and what kind of person your and will serve you far better then going from place to place to save a buck. You later posted " And as I was heading down the fwy it was all I had time for before the batt. hit bottom." Ask yourself this; how much is a glass of water worth in the dessert? If I had a choice of places to break down near I would always opt for a dealer. They all have one thing in common and that is Ford certified techs.

JMC

 

I looked on Ford Parts Network and found that an alternator is going to run you around $200 or so. Add 2 hours labor (1 for diag, 1 for install) and then put California's taxes on it and it would come out around $400.

Good call, momalle1...

 

Thanks B-Man
I needed that!