[432622]

What is the price range to replace an ignition switch on a 2005 Honda Accord?

I’m asking here because I’m not a mechanic nor do I work on cars. Figured someone here would be able to assist me.

Was emailed an estimate of $827.84 from K & N Foreign Auto Service, Inc. today.

$379.50 for labor
$379.00 for parts
$15.18 shop supply
$54.16 total tax

Does this look accurate to you all?

Wondering if I should seek out estimates from others who are also ASE certified and Master Techs.

Thank you for your assistance. It is appreciated.

Additional information:

I noticed the key was getting stuck in the ignition. Took it by K & N Foreign Auto Service, Inc. and was informed that it was the ignition switch.

Update:

A neighbor knew an automotive locksmith and had him check it out. The guy said it was an electrical issue and replaced the key today. The car starts up and I was assured it would no longer become stuck in the ignition.

Thought I would update you all.

 

[t-rd]

The part itself costs less than $100 OEM. The job itself is easy also, just google some videos.

You are seriously getting robbed for a max of half an hour of work.

 

[432622]

The part itself costs less than $100 OEM. The job itself is easy also, just google some videos.

You are seriously getting robbed for a max of half an hour of work.

That’s great that you see it as an easy job that requires a relatively inexpensive part to fix.

Unfortunately, I’m not comfortable working on the car myself, as mentioned previously in the original post.

I am seeking alternative estimates to have more options.

 

[capkirk123]

If nothing else find a mechanic who will let you bring your own parts and then get the ignition switch from hondapartsnow.com, at least that way they can't rip you off on the part price. Or just go to a Honda dealer, I'm pretty sure even they don't rip you off as badly as your mechanic is.

 

[KW2004Accord]

Look around for other quotes, bring the part, you don't need a ASE Master Tech to install the switch any competent mechanic can do it. You may be charged 1 full hour of labor which will be less costly outside a metro area ($150+ hr. labor rate for your area, looks like they are charging $190 hr. for 2 hrs.). From your other thread last year when you were looking for a shop in Cutler Bay, I recommended K&N based on reviews & the mechanic was a certified Master Tech. Shops can change though & based on your $ quote for the switch, call around & maybe look for a mobile mechanic (usually cheaper since no overhead). Part price - 35130-SAA-J51 - Honda Parts Now

 

[t-rd]

Buy the part yourself. Get a few more quotes from different shops. They are seriously robbing you with that ultra high price. I don't foresee what "shop supplies" are needed either using a screwdriver and a plastic prying tool. I've opened up the steering column myself and it does not take that long. It's literally just a few screws to replace the ignition switch.

Even a Honda dealer wouldn't cost that much, as long as you bring your OEM part.

 

[Hondalocksmith]

I’m a locksmith, and that’s exactly what you need if you’re talking about the ignition lock cylinder, the part everyone always calls the switch. I’ve rebuilt hundreds of them over the years. Theres a lot to say about them, and there’s a lot of nuance. I love Honda, but they have a problematic lock / key relationship. I often tell my Honda customers I could write a book about their key, because it’s a way to prepare them for not being able to shut me up once I get going talking about their locks. In short. Do yourself a HUGE favor and find a good automotive locksmith. Feel free to call us anytime if you have questions. We are Bell Brothers Locksmiths, in Melbourne Florida. 321-378-4225

 

[visionguru]

...
Does this look accurate to you all?
Wondering if I should seek out estimates from others who are also ASE certified and Master Techs.

The "key" 😊 questions are
(1) What's wrong with your car?
(2) Who said you need an ignition switch?

Once you are sure about the issue, just shop around the shops (at least 2) and the Honda dealer. The lowest is what's "accurate" in your area.

 

[JarrellW23]

+1 to what everyone else mentioned, I would even call a local mobile mechanic who seems sufficient and they should charge maybe I mean maybe $60 to do this... very simple, see if you can supply the part and they do the labor in and out within 30 minutes or so. Easy fix, the switch caused me to have turn my key a certain way and stuff it was terrible, issue never appeared again after replaced.

 

[432622]

The "key" 😊 questions are
(1) What's wrong with your car?
(2) Who said you need an ignition switch?

Once you are sure about the issue, just shop around the shops (at least 2) and the Honda dealer. The lowest is what's "accurate" in your area.

Good questions. I noticed that the key would become stuck in the ignition after turning it off. Before when that happened, I would turn the steering wheel and it would release. But about a week ago I noticed it would remain stuck. The key would eventually release yet I didn’t want to overlook that issue.

It seems random though because it didn’t do that at all yesterday. Nor did it do that after Neil and his mechanic looked at it Friday when I took it to them. He told me to bring it by (wasn’t charged for that).

Neil from K & N stated that it was the ignition switch. However, when I called him yesterday, he said he wanted to see the car again just to confirm if his suspicions were correct. Thankfully, my instinct was to come here and ask for help. I’ll purchase the part and look around as you all have suggested.

Thank you.

 

[432622]

+1 to what everyone else mentioned, I would even call a local mobile mechanic who seems sufficient and they should charge maybe I mean maybe $60 to do this... very simple, see if you can supply the part and they do the labor in and out within 30 minutes or so. Easy fix, the switch caused me to have turn my key a certain way and stuff it was terrible, issue never appeared again after replaced.

Maaan. Thank you. I wouldn’t have even considered a mobile mechanic. This forum is so helpful. I was stressed about this.

 

[432622]

Buy the part yourself. Get a few more quotes from different shops. They are seriously robbing you with that ultra high price. I don't foresee what "shop supplies" are needed either using a screwdriver and a plastic prying tool. I've opened up the steering column myself and it does not take that long. It's literally just a few screws to replace the ignition switch.

Even a Honda dealer wouldn't cost that much, as long as you bring your OEM part.

You’re right. I laughed at the “shop supplies” comment. I was looking at the estimate kind of confused because it seemed overpriced. I thought maybe the price was due to their certification or even how long they’ve been in business.

Everyone here has confirmed what I thought. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[432622]

Look around for other quotes, bring the part, you don't need a ASE Master Tech to install the switch any competent mechanic can do it. You may be charged 1 full hour of labor which will be less costly outside a metro area ($150+ hr. labor rate for your area, looks like they are charging $190 hr. for 2 hrs.). From your other thread last year when you were looking for a shop in Cutler Bay, I recommended K&N based on reviews & the mechanic was a certified Master Tech. Shops can change though & based on your $ quote for the switch, call around & maybe look for a mobile mechanic (usually cheaper since no overhead). Part price - 35130-SAA-J51 - Honda Parts Now

Thank you. Yes, I took your advice from last year and went with him. Glad that you mentioned that they don’t have to be an ASE certified Master Tech.

I will get the part and go elsewhere. Thank you for providing the link.

So glad I came here to ask about this.

 

[432622]

If nothing else find a mechanic who will let you bring your own parts and then get the ignition switch from hondapartsnow.com, at least that way they can't rip you off on the part price. Or just go to a Honda dealer, I'm pretty sure even they don't rip you off as badly as your mechanic is.

What’s interesting about this is that K & N only worked on my car once (two weeks ago). I requested a diagnostic to figure out why the car kept on experiencing issues despite a mechanic (father’s friend) working on it.

The diagnostic revealed a broken air hose and some type of oil leak.

My father’s friend would work on the car for years but it kept on having issues every other month. So, I figured he simply didn’t know what he was doing. That’s why I thought to go elsewhere but maaannnn…

But yeah, I’m taking the advice offered here and buying the part and going elsewhere. Thank you.

 

[t-rd]

If the key gets stuck then it's not the ignition "switch" it's the whole lock assembly. Then the $300+ part makes sense.

 

[Tractorman92]

I have had good luck freeing up sticking key cylinders (key hard to insert/remove/turn) using a spray lubricant for key cylinders. Best one I have found is called Houdini. Not oily so doesn’t collect /hold dirt and dust. On Amazon. Worth $10 to try . Works great in the door locks too.

 

[visionguru]

I will get the part and go elsewhere.

Before identifying the culprit, I'd refrain from buying parts.

Do you have another key to try? Was the "Park" light solid when it happened? At least, I'd lubricate the lock cylinder first.

AGS Graphite Lubricant 0.21 oz Mfr# MZ-2H - Ace Hardware
All hardware stores, Home Depot etc, have similar stuff.

 

[432622]

If the key gets stuck then it's not the ignition "switch" it's the whole lock assembly. Then the $300+ part makes sense.

Ok. I went by what was stated on the estimate.

So, what he really meant was the ignition lock cylinder? No wonder he wanted me to bring it by again to see if he was correct in his conclusion.

 

[432622]

I have had good luck freeing up sticking key cylinders (key hard to insert/remove/turn) using a spray lubricant for key cylinders. Best one I have found is called Houdini. Not oily so doesn’t collect /hold dirt and dust. On Amazon. Worth $10 to try . Works great in the door locks too.

Thank you.

 

[432622]

I’m a locksmith, and that’s exactly what you need if you’re talking about the ignition lock cylinder, the part everyone always calls the switch. I’ve rebuilt hundreds of them over the years. Theres a lot to say about them, and there’s a lot of nuance. I love Honda, but they have a problematic lock / key relationship. I often tell my Honda customers I could write a book about their key, because it’s a way to prepare them for not being able to shut me up once I get going talking about their locks. In short. Do yourself a HUGE favor and find a good automotive locksmith. Feel free to call us anytime if you have questions. We are Bell Brothers Locksmiths, in Melbourne Florida. 321-378-4225

Thank you.