am i being ripped off?

I recently brought my car to a pontiac dealership for diagnostics because my 95 grand prix gtp isn't as powerful as it used to be. They told me that the distributor wires where badly corroded and that when they do that they also have to replace the ignition wires. does this sound right to anyone? I don't understand why the ignition wires would have to be replaced because the distributor wires need replaced. they also said that cylinder #2 isn't working. when i picked it up from them it was running 10 times worse than when i dropped it off. it was italing rough, making a strange clunking sound, exhaust making a strange sound also. I called them today and they said it was because of the distributor wires being badly deteriorated and when the mechanic checked the wires they just crumbled and they aren't getting a connection to plugs. and i need to get the car in as soon as possible to get it fixed because the injectors will get clogged and will cost me more in the long run. they want almost $500.00 to do the work. I need some good advice don't want to get ripped off.

Distributer wires - ignition wires ?? sounds like the same thing to me. Your car doesn't have a distributer.

Yes old wires could cause all of the symptoms, yes old wires break when removed.

Five hundred is out to lunch.
Haynes manual 25 - 30 dollars,
New wires from parts store 50 - 100.

Ditto!!!!!!

thank you!!!!! I thought that sounded pretty crazy. i might buy the wires and bring them to Monroe. The one i go to in Hamden is good. the guys are very nice and seem honest.

I just put $960 into it to replace the axle and transaxle, and the ball joint. is it just my car but i seem to be putting money into it every 5-6 months. I've had the car for 3 yrs and replaced the altinator, radiator, brake calipers and rotors 2 or 3 times, new head gasket 4 months ago, drivers side door handle etc. i'm not sure if i should put any more into it. cost me $5,000. and i think i put about $7,000-8,000 into since buying it. blue book values it at $2,1000 in good condition. i really like the car but it is becoming a money pit.

Have you checked to see if you have a local chapter of ClubGP? I can't speak for all chapters, but the people in the St. Louis club help each other out all the time. This may be a good way for you to make some new friends, get some sound automotive advice, learn how to do some of these repairs yourself, get some help with repairs you can't do yourself, and SAVE A TON OF CASH.

I have fellow Grand Prixers at my house almost every weekend. This past weekend, I helped a guy install his FWI and Intense PCM, last week it was a radiator, a few weeks ago it was an F-body brake upgrade. Actually, most of the work I do to cars is to someone else's car, not mine. :icon16:

Thanks i'll check into it.

The only time I would ever take mine to a dealer is if it were warranty work.

The only time I would ever take mine to a dealer is if it were warranty work.

Ya That would be the only reason i go to a dealer is if it was warranty related or a recall--- other than its alot cheaper to do work personaly....


good luck

I got the car fixed at Monroe. I saved over a hundred dollars. They charged me $350. including an oil change. The dealership wanted $468 w/o oil change. It was the plugs and wires. The reason why it was so expensive is because of the dohc. they had to tilt the engine to get at some of the plugs because they where near the firewall. Took them 4 hrs to do it. I like the guys there they are really friendly and seem to know what they are doing. I brought it back to them yesterday and they put in a battery that i bought. (which turned out to be the wrong size) They brought me to the store i got it at to exchange it for the right size. Very cool of them. they didn't have to do that for me. It was greatly appreciated and beyond the call of duty. I have had a lot of repairs done to my car by them. They didn't even charge me to place the battery in my car. If anyone lives near Hamden Connecticut i reccomend going to the Monro Muffler on Skiff St. The guys there are awsome.

carnutcass--I looked into Clubgp there aren't any in my area. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I don't know much about car repair and don't do any myself. Have to rely on a decent mechanic. Which i have found at Monro. If anyone can recomend anywhere else it would also be appreciated. They don't do all repairs. Thanks again everyone for your help. This site is awsome for advice. Everyone is very helpful.

I don't know about Clubgp. I live in Florida, and belong to this club in IL.

http://www.ilgpc.com/forum2/index.php?

The group has a bunch of nice guys. Try theirs.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/pontiac_logo.gif




carnutcass--I looked into Clubgp there aren't any in my area. Thanks for the suggestion though.

carnutcass--I looked into Clubgp there aren't any in my area. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Not sure how close these guys are to you. http://www.macgp.com/