Have had my Kia Sedona for 4 years and has run religiously w/o any problems ever. Original battery failed, so I replaced with new, assuming the battery was dead. Several months later, new battery leaking - took to dealer, was told battery is fine, the alternator is bad. Fine, I can deal with that, but they quoted me over $700 including labor.
Car is 5k out of bumper/bumper (65000 miles).
Does that sound a bit high? I've seen alternators much cheaper, but the service tech told me its a 4 hour job to replace, and at $90 an hour, half the cost is just that, labor. He also said that there is some reprogramming necessary - I've replaced alternators before, and never remember any kind of "reprogramming" necessary.
Tried taking it to a local repair shop before, but they didn't want to touch it. SHould I just suck it up and have them take care of it, or attempt to go elsewhere?
This may not help, and may not be applicable to a Kia service center.
But I have done my business at what is usually called, "Four-Star dealerships." I can't say that I know exactly what they have to do to get and keep that designation. I also don't know which car makes offer that, though my hunch is that it is mostly the domestic brands.
I do know that it has given them the ability to add upwards of 20 to 25% to warranties to their customers. In your case, they would probably cover repairs up to around 72,000 miles, and would CERTAINLY treat this as one.
Am not sure what to suggest as to how to see if there is a way something like this can be done. One possibility is to check out all the TSA's on that model year of Sedona. A GOOD mechanic at the dealership can steer you to those, and there are infinite places on the internet. If you find an alternator problem, you may be able to affix onto that.
Failing that, I am wondering about this local repair shop. I have several in my area. The ones who, "Wouldn't touch it," wouldn't even get a sniff of my business, because supposedly this is exactly the kind of thing they do. Having said that, I don't know of one in my area who wouldn't. It is still just an alternator.
I guess my suggestion is to do at least a bit of research first, then try working with the dealer. Failing that, find a repair shop that isn't afraid of a job like that.
BTW, as if you haven't figured it out, that price, at least in my world is ASTRONOMICAL for an alternator. AutoZone and the rest quote between $120 and $140 for an alternator. If you even double that price, it makes their alternator seem downright non-competitive.
It also may be time to look for an alternate dealer.
Your dilemma about the alternator is an unfortunate one, the replacement of the alternator on a 2002 - 2005 Kia Sedona involves removing the radiator's upper support, radiator, cooling fan assembly, and the right front axle and crank pulley plus all other associated components in the front area. (to do the removal from the top) Should your garage elect to do the removal from the bottom, the only way is to remove the A/C compressor, condensor, right front axle, and then recharge the A/c system once completed. The labour time quoted by area dealers and non dealers ranges from 3.5 to 5 hrs., with the 3.5 being the areas largest dealer.
Make sure your dealer is using the updated part as a replacement (new pulley design), this will allow for a longer lasting replacement. Your local autozone or like store will have access to a rebuilt model that follows the old design (expect a lifespan lower than the the original).
I did quote an alternator in my area, and I got ranges for rebuilts for about the same as you quoted. The new ones were about $200-$250.
Thanks for the tips on the TSA, I'll be looking for it. About the only thing I found so far in my limited searching is that the alternator is a known problem in some instances - but I'm 5k out of warranty, so I doubt anything can be done. However, I will give it a try with Kia corporate and see what I can do. Can't hurt to bitch about the price.
My local repair shop did lose my business after this. I only went there because I knew the mechanic; he was a specialist on foreign cars and had experience with Kia. He did work on it before and did a great job, but I didn't know he no longer worked there. I got stuck paying for a diagnostic fee as well. Surprised they couldn't diagnose a bad alternator. I questioned it, but they kept deflecting blame, saying the dealer has to look at it.
As for alternate dealers, the next closest one is about 40 miles away.
The alternators on the Sedona are not known to fail any more frequently than any other make or model, however because you are so close on the mileage aspect of the warranty (you haven't mentioned the time limit) your dealer has a clause they can use in good faith called "goodwill". If they value your future business as well as appreciate the past business you have provided, they may be able to come up with anywhere from 33.3% to 50% of the cost.
Approach the Svc. Mgr. and inquire if there is anything he/she can do to help you out.
When I brought the car in, salesmen swarmed me like bees to honey. I am actually satisfied with the car and would consider another in the future. The service manager did overhear me giving a glowing review of the car to the salesman.
Anyway, I called the service manager back and he said he definitely remembered me. I mentioned the "goodwill" clause and he said although Kia probably wouldn't do anything, he'll work with me on the price. They won't know the final tally until they're completely done with the car - probably sometime later today.
Thanks for the idea, and I'll let you all know how it goes.
The alternators on the Sedona are not known to fail any more frequently than any other make or model, however because you are so close on the mileage aspect of the warranty (you haven't mentioned the time limit) your dealer has a clause they can use in good faith called "goodwill". If they value your future business as well as appreciate the past business you have provided, they may be able to come up with anywhere from 33.3% to 50% of the cost.
Approach the Svc. Mgr. and inquire if there is anything he/she can do to help you out.
An update: Dealer knocked $100 off bill. Was hoping for a bit more, but thats all they would do.
Unfortunately, the installed a remanufactured alternator, as well as replacing the belt that I had replaced 5 months before. And when I pulled away, the airbag light came on, as well as the headlights not working. Seems they had to reset the computer again (?). The headlights were burned out, mechanic suspected that the voltage surge from failed alternator blew bulbs out. Auto supply was right down the road, so I opted to drive high beams there instead of paying them for bulbs.
Car was fine on the way home, except for the fact that we got quite used to the new rental we were using. Now the wife is itching for a new car.
Total bill was $655. A big chunk of that was labor.
Funny how the salesmen that were all over me yesterday didn't want anything to do with me today.
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