Thermal Protector Set-HELP a poor girl out!

jessssica · 07-06-2007, 01:39 PM

Hi,
I've recently run into a string of problems with my beloved 2002 Civic LX (1.7, 4DOOR).

I went out one morning and found my power locks were not working, and the brake indicator dash light was on for no reason, and my AC was blowing out hot air. Unfortunately, as I had just moved to the area (Newark, DE), I had no idea where to take it. I ended up going to a Honda dealership, where I was told the problems were unrelated and the service guy started rattling off all these things I needed BEFORE ANYONE LOOKED AT THE CAR.

I took the car to PepBoys for a 10.59 brake diagnostic, and was told the problems were all related, and were the result of a multiplex/fuse assembly problem, and that part would need to be replaced, but they were not able to get the part at Pepboys.

So I went to the other Honda dealership and had the multiplex/fuse assembly replaced, which solved the power lock and brake dash indicator problem, but not the AC blowing out hot air. In the process, the dealership diagnosed the AC problem as needing a "thermal protector set" (PART# 38908-PLM-A11) http://http://www.hondaautomotivepar...er+VIN+Number+
(SEE ABOVE LINK)

I was told it would require 4 hours of labor at $85 an hour to replace. I am skeptical of dealerships and the four hour quote so I declined at that time.
I ordered the part myself from Majestic Honda--which seems great so far.

Now I am trying to shop around the repair and I am getting wildly different quotes on how long it will take/cost.

The other Honda dealership said 2.5 hours, $240.
Pep Boys said probably an hour.
One local (non Honda specific) said he could do it for $50
Another local mechanic said $47

I'm so confused! Please help me out! I am worried that maybe the lower quotes were given because the mechanic didn't understand the full scope of the replacement repair...or both dealerships are just wildly overestimating the time to rip me off.
Also, do you think this will solve the problem?

Thank you so much,
<3 A cute Honda owner

Stampeed Valkyrie · 07-06-2007, 02:51 PM

interesting with the range of repair quotes at both high and low extremes. A couple of questions first. Do you have a regular trustworthy mechanic? If not I would personally locate a local ASE certified mechanic and get some references from either friends or shop around. If your willing to spend the extra $$$ have a dealer do it, but personally once I buy a car from a dealer they never see it again unless I am getting something warranty related or really really cheap.

I too would call "Shenanigans" on the range of quotes. I avoid fast food car places like Pep Boys, and those similar like the plague. No offense to anyone on here that works for them but usually the quality of service you get from them is sub par or they don't fully understand what is going on.... and then again you get what you pay for. Things brings me back to my original question locate a reliable local garage, while you may pay a little more then your lowest quotes you can at least know the job got done and if they are good they will stand behind the work.

Rob

Tommygun43 · 07-06-2007, 05:35 PM

If this is the part your talking about...It looks VERY easy to replace. The labor time is half an hour! I would check to see if the A/C pump is running, if it's running this is probobly NOT the problem.

Compressor Thermal Protector Replacement

Remove the bolt, the ground terminal (A), and the holder (B). Disconnect the field coil connector (C), then remove the thermal protector (D).

Replace the thermal protector (A) with a new one, and apply silicone sealant (B) to the bottom of the thermal protector.

Install in the reverse order of removal.

07-06-2007, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
jessssica Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thermal Protector Set-HELP a poor girl out! Hi, I've recently run into a string of problems with my beloved 2002 Civic LX (1.7, 4DOOR). I went out one morning and found my power locks were not working, and the brake indicator dash light was on for no reason, and my AC was blowing out hot air. Unfortunately, as I had just moved to the area (Newark, DE), I had no idea where to take it. I ended up going to a Honda dealership, where I was told the problems were unrelated and the service guy started rattling off all these things I needed BEFORE ANYONE LOOKED AT THE CAR. I took the car to PepBoys for a 10.59 brake diagnostic, and was told the problems were all related, and were the result of a multiplex/fuse assembly problem, and that part would need to be replaced, but they were not able to get the part at Pepboys. So I went to the other Honda dealership and had the multiplex/fuse assembly replaced, which solved the power lock and brake dash indicator problem, but not the AC blowing out hot air. In the process, the dealership diagnosed the AC problem as needing a "thermal protector set" (PART# 38908-PLM-A11) http://http://www.hondaautomotivepar...er+VIN+Number+ (SEE ABOVE LINK) I was told it would require 4 hours of labor at $85 an hour to replace. I am skeptical of dealerships and the four hour quote so I declined at that time. I ordered the part myself from Majestic Honda--which seems great so far. Now I am trying to shop around the repair and I am getting wildly different quotes on how long it will take/cost. The other Honda dealership said 2.5 hours, $240. Pep Boys said probably an hour. One local (non Honda specific) said he could do it for $50 Another local mechanic said $47 I'm so confused! Please help me out! I am worried that maybe the lower quotes were given because the mechanic didn't understand the full scope of the replacement repair...or both dealerships are just wildly overestimating the time to rip me off. Also, do you think this will solve the problem? Thank you so much, <3 A cute Honda owner

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07-06-2007, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stampeed Valkyrie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 118 iTrader: 0 / 0%	interesting with the range of repair quotes at both high and low extremes. A couple of questions first. Do you have a regular trustworthy mechanic? If not I would personally locate a local ASE certified mechanic and get some references from either friends or shop around. If your willing to spend the extra $$$ have a dealer do it, but personally once I buy a car from a dealer they never see it again unless I am getting something warranty related or really really cheap. I too would call "Shenanigans" on the range of quotes. I avoid fast food car places like Pep Boys, and those similar like the plague. No offense to anyone on here that works for them but usually the quality of service you get from them is sub par or they don't fully understand what is going on.... and then again you get what you pay for. Things brings me back to my original question locate a reliable local garage, while you may pay a little more then your lowest quotes you can at least know the job got done and if they are good they will stand behind the work. Rob

07-06-2007, 05:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tommygun43 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Glens Falls, NY Age: 29 Posts: 405 Tom iTrader: 0 / 0%	If this is the part your talking about...It looks VERY easy to replace. The labor time is half an hour! I would check to see if the A/C pump is running, if it's running this is probobly NOT the problem. Compressor Thermal Protector Replacement Remove the bolt, the ground terminal (A), and the holder (B). Disconnect the field coil connector (C), then remove the thermal protector (D). Replace the thermal protector (A) with a new one, and apply silicone sealant (B) to the bottom of the thermal protector. Install in the reverse order of removal.