1986 200SX Needs New Ignition: Is Price Fair?

jdanniel · Jan 14th, 2004, 10:45 AM

Hi everyone.

I have a 1986 200SX hatchback. I'm the sole owner and it has 113,357 miles on it.

I just moved from Florida to New Jersey. In the past few weeks, I've had trouble not starting the car, but RESTARTING the car. The car starts fine, I'll go somewhere, park it, do my shopping or whatever, get back in the car, and it won't start up. It eventually does start up but it takes effort. I floor the gas pedal before starting it and after a while it does start. Once it starts, it runs fine.

At first, I thought it was due to moisture, but it hasn't rained or snowed in a while.

Okay...so I finally take it to a mechanic who specializes on Japanese cars and who has a superb reputation here. He said I need a new ignition. He diagnosed the car and said the starter, battery, alternator, distributor cap, all of that is fine. He also said these Nissans do have a history of blowing out ignitions when they're hot.

He quoted me a price of $286 for a new ignition, not counting labor. I asked about a rebuilt ignition and his advice was not to get one. I've had plenty of rebuilt parts put in my car that worked well. But I went with a new one. He'll be putting it in this coming Thursday.

Two questions: When he said Nissans have a tendency to blow out ignitions, was he correct? Is this problem common? I figured even if it weren't, the car is 18 years old and it might be time for a new ignition anyway. And is the price fair?

Thank you! Jd, with no intention of giving up this car until it crumbles into dust.

Myetball · Jan 14th, 2004, 06:03 PM

Ignition? Are you talking about the ECU (computer)? The distributor?

jdanniel · Jan 18th, 2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myetball

Ignition? Are you talking about the ECU (computer)? The distributor?

The ignition module, which I'm assuming is either the computer or a sensor. It's a small part, fits in the palm of my hand, and cost $286 not including labor or tax.

The repair was done a few days ago, and so far, so good. According to the mechanic (who came very highly recommended by more than one person, none of whom knew each other), Nissan ignitions on these cars had a history of conking out when warm. He said the average time this problem would show up was 5 years, so an 18-year-old ignition I got my money's worth from.

I'm just curious as to whether that price is in the right ball park for this car. It's IN the car now, since I need to drive, but now I'm just interested in whether or not it's in a fair price range.

Jd

Myetball · Jan 18th, 2004, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdanniel

I'm just curious as to whether that price is in the right ball park for this car. It's IN the car now, since I need to drive, but now I'm just interested in whether or not it's in a fair price range.

Jd

Considering how pricing is done that's probably a reasonable price. Assuming your mechanic bought it from a Nissan dealer he paid somewhat less than retail. Retail generally being about a 100% markup from dealer cost. Then he would turn around and sell it to you at retail, making a profit on the parts. For an OEM part the price doesn't sound out of the ordinary. Obviously it's more than any of us would like to pay but sometimes you gotta crack open the wallet to get your ride moving again.

If you want to make sure, call your local Nissan dealer's parts department and ask them the price on a new ignition module.