My daughters Civic kept breaking down with a no charge/no start condition. I replaced the alternator and battery several times, but could not get the car to charge the battery. This happened several times in a two week period, and required that I rescue her by driving to Delaware from South NJ. In the end I decided that since there was a TSB on the ELD component in the fuse box, I would replace it as well. I drove to the Martin Dealership 1364 Marrows rd. in Newark DE to get the part. It cost $60. I asked several times and they assured me this was the part for my car. Well, when I returned to my daughters car, I found that the part would not fit. The plug would not go into the part. Obviously it was the wrong one.
Since I don't live in DE, I waited until my next trip there, and attempted to return the part. The parts person stated that his manager told him that they do not accept returns on electrical parts. I understand this, and can see the reason why. However, this part was NEVER installed, and was sold to me with the understanding that it was the correct part for my vehicle. So now I am stuck with a part I cannot use, and I am out $60. When I asked to see the manager, he stated that he wasn't available (he was too busy at the ajoining Kia dealership lololol). The parts person took my phone number and assured me the manager would call me. Well, if you believe THAT, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you. He never called.
The end of the story is that I bought ANOTHER ELD and installed it, since the Honda dealership in Turnersville NJ had the correct part. The problem with the car turned out to be the alternator after all. I found out that you cannot use ANY other alternator other than a Honda OEM part. I was able to find a DENSO alternator on-line that solved the problem.
Honda used to be a reliable, trusted auto manufacturer. Not anymore. Between the electrical problems (especially after I learned how the ELD system works, my God why would you ever design and install something like that AND have a defective part in the circuit), and the CVT transmissions, I wouldn't ever think of purchasing a Honda ever. And my daughter is now looking for another car, since her's is so old. I told her NO MORE HONDAS. I am 66 years old and spent 3 days outside in the winter weather trying to fix her car.
So my question to you is, should I just eat the $60 loss on the incorrect part? Perhaps I should just give it back to the parts department, and they can sell it to someone else, and steal their $60. A whole new profit center for your business. What a concept.
Update from Mar 10, 2024: OK update. After posting my complaint and making a complaint to the BBB, I got a return call from Dan the parts manager. I was able to meet up with him on 3/7/24. He looked at the part I wanted to return, and said, wait one minute. He went back into the parts area and returned with another part still in the package with the same number. You could clearly see that the new one was the correct part for my car. It seems that whoever packaged the part I received put the wrong one in it. Dan saw to it that I was reimbursed my $60. Happy days!
Bought a Reman alternator from Advance Auto Parts, has a life time warranty, the present alternator makes a loud squealing sound, also can hear the barrings, it was replaced april of 2011, being replaced again, next time ill just purchase a new part, Will not be from Advance Autoparts again, their WorldWD Alternators made in China are crap!
- honda of iowa,
Waukee, IA, US
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My daughters Civic kept breaking down with a no charge/no start condition. I replaced the alternator and battery several times, but could not get the car to charge the battery. This happened several times in a two week period, and required that I rescue her by driving to Delaware from South NJ. In the end I decided that since there was a TSB on the ELD component in the fuse box, I would replace it as well. I drove to the Martin Dealership 1364 Marrows rd. in Newark DE to get the part. It cost $60. I asked several times and they assured me this was the part for my car. Well, when I returned to my daughters car, I found that the part would not fit. The plug would not go into the part. Obviously it was the wrong one.
Since I don't live in DE, I waited until my next trip there, and attempted to return the part. The parts person stated that his manager told him that they do not accept returns on electrical parts. I understand this, and can see the reason why. However, this part was NEVER installed, and was sold to me with the understanding that it was the correct part for my vehicle. So now I am stuck with a part I cannot use, and I am out $60. When I asked to see the manager, he stated that he wasn't available (he was too busy at the ajoining Kia dealership lololol). The parts person took my phone number and assured me the manager would call me. Well, if you believe THAT, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you. He never called.
The end of the story is that I bought ANOTHER ELD and installed it, since the Honda dealership in Turnersville NJ had the correct part. The problem with the car turned out to be the alternator after all. I found out that you cannot use ANY other alternator other than a Honda OEM part. I was able to find a DENSO alternator on-line that solved the problem.
Honda used to be a reliable, trusted auto manufacturer. Not anymore. Between the electrical problems (especially after I learned how the ELD system works, my God why would you ever design and install something like that AND have a defective part in the circuit), and the CVT transmissions, I wouldn't ever think of purchasing a Honda ever. And my daughter is now looking for another car, since her's is so old. I told her NO MORE HONDAS. I am 66 years old and spent 3 days outside in the winter weather trying to fix her car.
So my question to you is, should I just eat the $60 loss on the incorrect part? Perhaps I should just give it back to the parts department, and they can sell it to someone else, and steal their $60. A whole new profit center for your business. What a concept.
Update from Mar 10, 2024: OK update. After posting my complaint and making a complaint to the BBB, I got a return call from Dan the parts manager. I was able to meet up with him on 3/7/24. He looked at the part I wanted to return, and said, wait one minute. He went back into the parts area and returned with another part still in the package with the same number. You could clearly see that the new one was the correct part for my car. It seems that whoever packaged the part I received put the wrong one in it. Dan saw to it that I was reimbursed my $60. Happy days!
- klembo, Glassboro, NJ, US