screwed up my car real bad. how much to fix it?

[larciel]

Long story short, I ran over a super-thick construction steel line and found out 3-4 electrical wires loose and hitting the road as I drive the car. I don't know what that is or how much it'd cost to fix it. anybody have a vague idea?

Part is located in middle right part of the chasis.

Pics

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1880/dscf0095fe4.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7694/dscf0096ig8.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7694/dscf0096ig8.jpg
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4918/dscf0098yu1.jpg

 

[Zenmervolt]

Without clear photos, this is impossible to diagnose. Sorry.

ZV

 

[fbrdphreak]

^^
+eleventybillion

If it drives fine and doesn't appear to have any issues, you need to have a place look at it THAT YOU CAN TRUST. If you don't know a place you can trust, call people you know until you find one. If you go in with that description to a less than reputable shop, there's a good chance they will try to rip you off.

 

[ayabe]

Are the wires broken or just hanging? Could be your O2 sensor wire and ???? If they aren't broken chances are they just need to be reclamped into position.

 

[Black88GTA]

Something similar happened to me. Turns out the hanging wires went to my horn, which was stupidly mounted low, front and center in my car. The slide terminals were just pulled off. Does your horn work?

 

[larciel]

Pics are added and seems like I have to fire-sale my stuff pretty soon. I get check engine sign too

 

[Zenmervolt]

Edit 1: Never mind, I mislead myself.

Edit 2: If you're getting a check engine light as well, this might be one of the O2 sensors. See what code the computer is showing.

ZV

 

[fbrdphreak]

That certainly looks like it could be an O2 wire. Go to Adv Auto or other auto store and have them pull the code. It should be able to tell you the issue and arm you with at least some info.

Don't freak about the check engine light. It's just an idiot light to let you know something is wrong, it doesn't necessarily mean something is seriously messed up.

 

[steppinthrax]

It looks like the O2 sensor wire of of the catalytic converter? But it could be anything. The pictures are pretty clear.

 

[manowar821]

I'll never understand why car makers let some components hang so retardedly low. My MX-3's got a couple cables that are about 3-4 inches off the ground, and if I park with my nose over a curb, it could crack the radiator, so I just don't.

 

[AMCRambler]

Yeah I'd guess O2 sensors as well. Or fuel sending unit wires. Is your gas gauge still functioning? Maybe ABS? Only way to know for sure is to get the code pulled or jack up the car, get under there and trace the wire.

 

[boomerang]

It's the parking brake cable.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: boomerang
It's the parking brake cable.

That was my initial impression, but look closer at it. It is clearly a pair of insulated wires and not a cable. The end fitting is not a loop, it's two wires.

ZV

 

[amdhunter]

IT looks like it might be the o2 sensor, but it usually has 4 wires. Maybe 2 got ripped off? Is your check engine on (it should be if it is the O2 sensor.)

Easy to replace (again, if it is...lol)

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
IT looks like it might be the o2 sensor, but it usually has 4 wires. Maybe 2 got ripped off? Is your check engine on (it should be if it is the O2 sensor.)

Easy to replace (again, if it is...lol)

Good point, a heated O2 sensor will have at least 3 wires. I suppose it's possible that it's an un-heated sensor though.

Heated O2 sensors have 3 or 4 wires (3 if they use a common ground for both the heating element and the sensor element) and non-heated sensors will have either 1 or 2 wires (1 wire if it's using the exhaust as a ground).

In any case, the code from the CEL should tell him what he needs to know.

ZV

 

[larciel]

It is confirmed O2 cable. I ran my car down to body shop and car shook so much if I went above 40mph (could anyone explain the reason)

The cost was $300 for parts only..

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: larciel
It is confirmed O2 cable. I ran my car down to body shop and car shook so much if I went above 40mph (could anyone explain the reason)

The cost was $300 for parts only..

Shaking: 4 main possibilities:

1) The impact caused the tire to throw a belt, which causes a vibration at speed.
2) The impact caused a wheel weight to fall off, leaving a wheel un-balanced.
3) The impact threw your suspension out of alignment, which can cause a vibration at speed.
4) The impact bent something in your suspension, which can cause a vibration at speed.

I think that it is most likely the tire or a wheel weight.

ZV

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: larciel
It is confirmed O2 cable. I ran my car down to body shop and car shook so much if I went above 40mph (could anyone explain the reason)

The cost was $300 for parts only..

Which parts did they replace? Should be on the receipt.

 

[akshatp]

"Screwed up my car real bad" is kind of over the top, but glad you figured it out and got it fixed.

Im curious though, what parts did you need to replace that cost $300?

 

[larciel]

it was the o2 sensor itself. By the sound of everyone I guess o2 sensor shouldn't cost that much/?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: larciel
it was the o2 sensor itself. By the sound of everyone I guess o2 sensor shouldn't cost that much/?

$300 just for a oxygen sensor does sound rediculously expensive. You might want to check w/ your part department again.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If the body shop got the part from Acura and then threw on their markup $300 isn't that crazy. Think Ford wanted nearly $200 a pop for new o2 sensors for my old 89 5.0l mustang compared to the $60 parts store Bosch ones.

 

[angry hampster]

OP:
http://www.autopartswarehouse...._sensor/acura/tsx.html

 

[larciel]

http://www.autopartswarehouse....07QQW0133-1600465.html

Seems like cost was right on cue. It was the rear O2 sensor.

 

[Colt45]

1. buy bosch O2 sensor for something domestic, cheap.. ford taurus 3 wire is cheaper than generic bosch 3 wire, for what reason I don't know. $40 or so. find something else for a 4 wire...
2. splice
3. put remaining $260 in the liquor and whore fund.