Questions and Answers

Nissan Sentra High Idle And Stereo Q. Hello, I was perusing your information on About.com and was impressed at your clear way of explaining things. I put my 1985 Nissan Sentra into the shop yesterday for high idling and a blown fuse in the electrical system, little did I know my boyfriend doesn't know how to install a stereo. My clock works again, but no lights for the instrument panel.

Also, the idling was no problem yesterday and this morning, it's back. Here is what is listed on the invoice:

Customer request:

1. Analyze and advise w/updated estimate if needed. Fast idle and rotten egg smell.
2. Fuse panel under dash has a blown fuse - boyfriend had installed a new stereo. Warning lights are all on in dash, assuming this is all related.

They called me and stated that it would be over $400 because it was due to an alternator feeding wrong. I asked if there is a way to cut the job in two parts due to financial issues and asked that they only fix the idling and the fuses (as originally requested)

For what they did: (from invoice)

Job01 Analyze and advise 2.0    Labor: $200.00
ATO Fuse    Blade Fuse-N    2.0 @ 1.25 =2.50
Analyze and advise on problem customer described. Advise/Update estimate as needed. Check fuses found two fuses blown. Replace fuses and recheck. Problem still present. Check carburetor found vacuum hoses routed wrong and hose plugged. Correct routing and recheck. Vehicle idles ok. Check choke relay found ok. check alternator found bad causing feed back which causes warning lights to come on. Customer declined at this time.

Job subtotal: $202.50

Then, under recommendations:

08/18/03 major cooling system service Est $600.
Brake fluid wash est $120.
Timing belt est $300. If not done in last 60 K miles.
Major tune est 240. if not done in last 30K miles.

Well that is all I have but I feel very ripped off, and disappointed. I know enough about cars to thing that the only reason it is idling high is because the throttle arm gets stuck, and when I cleaned it and the carburetor off it wasn't as bad and was intermittent.

However, the warning lights still are an issue and make me think there is more underlying but I don't feel I can trust these mechanics. ANY advice would be a great help!!

Thanks!
Micaella

A. As far as the instrument panel lights go, when he installed the stereo he must have cut a wire or connected the wires wrong. The only way to fix this is to pull the stereo out and, with a wiring diagram, re-wire the instrument panel. Unfortunately this takes time, as much as three or more hours depending on the severity of the damage. This would not be known until the technician gets into it.

The warning lights being on is an indication of a bad diode pack inside the alternator. Not uncommon on a Nissan. The alternator may be working correctly, but if it should stop working, you wouldn't know it. Replacing the alternator will correct the problem. However, suggest holding off on it until the wiring in the dash is repaired.

The high idle can be caused by a couple of things. One common thing was the secondary throttle plate sticking. This would cause the high idle and was a fairly common problem on those carburetors.I would give the linkage a good cleaning and liberally apply some spray lubricant such as WD-40.

$100.00 an hour for labor? Maybe it's time to raise my labor rate. I'm only charging $65.00 an hour.