OT/MISC Bad auto parts

Doc1

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
A friend and I are working on a 1959 Ford pickup. During my diagnosis, I discovered that the truck's ignition coil was bad. I ordered one through the local parts house. I brought my multimeter with me to test it and it was bad right out of the box! I went next door to another auto parts dealer and found two other coils that were bad before they finally found a third one that tested within spec.

I've heard from different mechanic friends that they seem to be encountering more bad parts right out of the box. Also, I have to wonder how many customers order parts which they assume are good, only to discover that changing them out doesn't fix their problem. Then they engage in endless parts changing and money spending before - if ever - they get the fix right.

Old style ignition coils are easy to test, but a lot of electronic/computerized parts are impossible for the home mechanic to test. Additionally, most auto parts stores have a policy of not accepting returns of electronic parts.

All of the above are just more things that are making the home mechanic go the way of the dodo bird.

Best
Doc
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
This isn't a recent phenomenon, sadly. Back in the '90s the now Ex had to get a new alternator for his then current clunker. It was replaced. It died in a short time.

Since it was under warranty, it was replaced again. That one was bad as well.

It got replaced under warranty again and THAT alternator went on to function until some fatal malady claimed the vehicle.

I'm sure that it's worse now, but it's not a new problem.
 
Macgyver

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I don't think I ever followed up the thread I had on here with my truck issue a few weeks ago.

Napa sold me a dead throttle body. 150 some bucks. I ended up taking it to the dealer and they replaced the exact same thing and fixed the truck. For 700 bucks of course.
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Not just the mechanical part of the car is this happening to. Suffering brain fog at the moment but my son's 2012 mustang was hit and insurance replaced the bumper with the non-Ford type part. It was just barely a smidge off but the difference was noticeable and started messing with the trunk.

Needless to say son was NOT happy and fought the company to getting a real Ford Mustang bumper like he should have gotten to start with. That one fit perfectly and no problem with the trunk.
 
tech

tech

Veteran Member
Yep, mass airflow sensors, starters, alternators, even non-electrical items such as a/c compressors and radiators. I've lost count of how many new units were either straight out defective or failed after an exceedingly short time.

ETA: this is not limited to aftermarket parts, but dealer items as well.
 
wobble

wobble

Veteran Member
Doc1 said:
A friend and I are working on a 1959 Ford pickup. During my diagnosis, I discovered that the truck's ignition coil was bad. I ordered one through the local parts house. I brought my multimeter with me to test it and it was bad right out of the box! I went next door to another auto parts dealer and found two other coils that were bad before they finally found a third one that tested within spec.

I've heard from different mechanic friends that they seem to be encountering more bad parts right out of the box. Also, I have to wonder how many customers order parts which they assume are good, only to discover that changing them out doesn't fix their problem. Then they engage in endless parts changing and money spending before - if ever - they get the fix right.

Old style ignition coils are easy to test, but a lot of electronic/computerized parts are impossible for the home mechanic to test. Additionally, most auto parts stores have a policy of not accepting returns of electronic parts.

All of the above are just more things that are making the home mechanic go the way of the dodo bird.

Best
Doc
Click to expand...
My mech told me to start scrounging around for replacement parts from salvage yards to "rebuild" because he is finding that parts he is ordering from the usual sources are mainly coming out of China and not being refurbished properly and do not function when installed, like distributors, steering racks, IACV's, master cylinders, etc., even PIG TAILS for brake lights/turn signals dont work..
STUPID

I have made a habit of ordering certain parts expecting to have to disassemble them and replace rubber gaskets with quality HOME MADE ones and also pull some wiring apart to check connectors and resolder NEW failed solder points...
 
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Southside

Southside

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Right now, many rebuilders will not do a rebuild on, for example, an LS-3, unless you have NOS camshaft & lifters, as most of the rest are sourced from China, and are failing in 3K or so miles. My friend across the street at the Florida house is on his 3rd camshaft & lifters. This one is NOS, at the builders expense. He is still in the warantee period.
 
rob0126

rob0126

Veteran Member
Doc1 said:
A friend and I are working on a 1959 Ford pickup. During my diagnosis, I discovered that the truck's ignition coil was bad. I ordered one through the local parts house. I brought my multimeter with me to test it and it was bad right out of the box! I went next door to another auto parts dealer and found two other coils that were bad before they finally found a third one that tested within spec.

I've heard from different mechanic friends that they seem to be encountering more bad parts right out of the box. Also, I have to wonder how many customers order parts which they assume are good, only to discover that changing them out doesn't fix their problem. Then they engage in endless parts changing and money spending before - if ever - they get the fix right.

Old style ignition coils are easy to test, but a lot of electronic/computerized parts are impossible for the home mechanic to test. Additionally, most auto parts stores have a policy of not accepting returns of electronic parts.

All of the above are just more things that are making the home mechanic go the way of the dodo bird.

Best
Doc
Click to expand...

Yep. Ive noticed a lot of defects in the last year or so. A lot of our premium parts are defecting more than the cheaper line now. Chinese crap.

But, lately, I myself bought a reman'd denso Alt. Looked practically brand new, but after running for a few months, the lights started flickering in the car.
Had to buy another one.

Didn't expect Denso to be so slack on QC. Sign of the times.
 
wobble

wobble

Veteran Member
rob0126 said:
Yep. Ive noticed a lot of defects in the last year or so. Chinese crap is the name of it.

But, lately, I myself bought a reman'd denso Alt. Looked practically brand new, but after running for a few months, the lights started flickering in the car.
Had to buy another one.

Didn't expect Denso to be so slack on QC. Sign of the times.
Click to expand...
Yes, even the Denso parts are coming with defects/poor quality material.
 
Babs

Babs

Veteran Member
Kathy in FL said:
Not just the mechanical part of the car is this happening to. Suffering brain fog at the moment but my son's 2012 mustang was hit and insurance replaced the bumper with the non-Ford type part. It was just barely a smidge off but the difference was noticeable and started messing with the trunk.

Needless to say son was NOT happy and fought the company to getting a real Ford Mustang bumper like he should have gotten to start with. That one fit perfectly and no problem with the trunk.
Click to expand...

Part of the problem is the insurers making the collision shops use salvaged parts. But usually they get the car MAKE correct. Sheesh.
 
Twisted

Twisted

Contributing Member
Was told in a big meeting yesterday to focus on parts and repairs because they do not see new sales carrying us this year. Working with a big green company and we have been having a few issue on some parts showing up wrong or taking 2 plus weeks longer to show up. And now even having new off the trailer units with big issues that should have never made it past quality control
 
Southside

Southside

Has No Life - Lives on TB
wobble said:
Yes, even the Denso parts are coming with defects/poor quality material.
Click to expand...
The last Denso A/C Compressor I got had bad bearings. For the last 3 years. Hope it lasts. No more parts for that car. It has: Bad clutch and 3rd gear synchro, engine & trans mounts, paint is horrible, the timing belt has 115K on it, front winshield has 3 cracks. You get the idea, too much $$$ for a car that is not worth a plug nickle.
 
Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
Owner owns and uses a 1970s era Sears Craftsman battery charger. Yunno - the one with a meter on the front which if you're not careful in setting the "amp" slide switch, you peg the meter. It's kind of rusty and ratty looking now.

So he set out to buy a new battery charger. EVERY charger out there now has "electronics" to prevent you from connecting the wrong poles. Or from overdrawing the charger. Or from boiling the electrolyte.

Owner says its very difficult to actually use these "modern" battery chargers - and actually make them charge. He says if a battery is pulled down too low, the charger detects it as a "fault" and trips out.

He gave up on new and found an older style battery charger at a yard sale in better condition - and he's using that one now.

Dobbin
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
tech said:
Yep, mass airflow sensors, starters, alternators, even non-electrical items such as a/c compressors and radiators. I've lost count of how many new units were either straight out defective or failed after an exceedingly short time.

ETA: this is not limited to aftermarket parts, but dealer items as well.
Click to expand...
Yeah I have a MASS airflow issue with my truck for the last 150k, I replaced it and it was the same code. Decided to leave it alone as the truck ran perfectly.
 
Sacajawea

Sacajawea

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Our NAPA guys have been pretty good working with us on defective parts. Our problem is finding salvage yards for decent parts. And D is looking to refurbish her '77 Pontiac Catalina (which took her 7000 miles across country 5 years ago) and ordering parts online. Worries about whether the parts will function, tho' sweetie can help her out with most things.
 
slbmatt

slbmatt

Contributing Member
In the late 70's had the same problems on replacement parts, and in the late 90's.
It happen again. About the time O.B.D.1 and O.B.D.II started. If you can't get good
replacement parts people will buy new cars.
 
Carl2

Carl2

Pass it forward...
The alternator on our SUV failed a few years ago. Had it replaced - twice - and both failed. The third alternator worked fine. The shop said they are rebuilt in Mexico. . .
 
A

AlanSDMachinist

Contributing Member
The latest in my ever-increasing list of bad brand new replacement car parts is thermostats. I had 2 bad ones back to back a month ago. What a creative way to get old cars off of the road. Just overheat them and ruin the engines. There is no limit to the lack of quality at all any more. 20 years ago when I ceased working for other companies and went on my own as a machinist, one of the biggest reasons for my decision was the constant threat of being fired for my refusal to half-ass everything.
 
ShadowMan

ShadowMan

Designated Grumpy Old Fart
It's not just automotive parts.....IT'S ALL PARTS for anything. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING from China is CRAP!!

We shouldn't call it China.....from now on it's CRAPNA!
 
wobble

wobble

Veteran Member
I think all gas powered "anything" is being sabotaged to force new and electric. and New and electric are guaranteed built in weak integrity/planned obsolescence to force the consumer to buy, regardless of maintenance practices.

I am taking a Stihl BR 600 that is a year and a half old because it runs like crap and then backfired so hard a couple days ago it tore something apart under the cover. The one it replaced was a BR350 running perfect for 32 years.

I was using it and did not know the intake was clogged with leaves. I was blowing massive amounts of leaves with headphones on and did not hear a thing and the block overheated.

DAMMIT.
 
Doc1

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dobbin said:
Owner owns and uses a 1970s era Sears Craftsman battery charger. Yunno - the one with a meter on the front which if you're not careful in setting the "amp" slide switch, you peg the meter. It's kind of rusty and ratty looking now.

So he set out to buy a new battery charger. EVERY charger out there now has "electronics" to prevent you from connecting the wrong poles. Or from overdrawing the charger. Or from boiling the electrolyte.

Owner says its very difficult to actually use these "modern" battery chargers - and actually make them charge. He says if a battery is pulled down too low, the charger detects it as a "fault" and trips out.

He gave up on new and found an older style battery charger at a yard sale in better condition - and he's using that one now.

Dobbin
Click to expand...

Yes! I have several battery chargers, but my main standby and the one I use to recondition old, dead batteries is a manual, non-computerized, 200 amp model. It doesn't attempt to out think me. If I set it for 200 amps, it by gawd gives me 200 amps!

I have seen (and used) a slew of so-called smart chargers whose computerized electronics prevent you from doing a lot of things with them. Automation can have its place, but when the automation does not provide a manual override feature, I don't want it.

Best
Doc
 
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