Problems with Auto Parts Stores

[PlanetExpress]

I have had fairly good experience with auto parts stores. I typically go the Autozone or Napa route when buying parts and never really think anything of it. This past week I decided to perform some maintenance on my 1987
4runner 22re and fix some issues that had been bugging me.

Input shaft seal, Transfer-case output shaft seal, wheel bearings, oil change etc. Friday I decided to tackle my rough/high idle issue. I suspected the Throttle Position Sensor of being out of adjustment, and after following 4crawler's instructions, I determined that it was! My initial attempt at adjusting the TPS left me with the assumption that it was a bad TPS. So I went to Autozone and bought a TPS to throw on.

The TPS, upon installation, could not be brought to within factory specs... at all. Not even close. I was at least 100 ohms above spec at idle with the adjustment brought to minimum.

Luckily I was able to return the part and get the old TPS to work, but this experience has left me with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth for Autozone electrical parts. Has anyone had a similar experience with their electrical parts?

 

[Bigshankhank]

Has anyone had a similar experience with their electrical parts?

Oh hell yeah, I would never buy any sophisticated electrical component from a retail shop. Alternators and starters are just dumb devices that pass/resist electrons one way or the other and I don't consider them sophisticated, and most are reman'd anyway so I will buy them there, but for sensors of any kind, the universal garbage that AZ & Napa sell are generally good enough to get you to part with your money, but that's about it. Most enthusiast forums will have threads on what sensors to buy, and from where. I know from experience that Jeep TJs are especially sensitive to using good quality sensors (for some reason).

 

[Brian3676]

Starters, alts, brake pads/rotors, oil filters, headlights, spark plugs that type of thing I use auto parts store for. Sensors- such as MAF, TPS, O2 I always use OEM parts for unless there is the same brand available at a store. For example, for O2 sensors, a common supplier to OEM is Denso, Denso is usually available at Napa, so I would be ok with that.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Fifteen years ago I could get by with using aftermarket sensors on American cars. Today, no way. I will not even try with Japanese cars, OEM or nothing. I went through five alternators on an Accord with a ten month time frame in 2013. I finally convinced my sis's friend that Dura%$^t wasn't cutting it. AFAIK after the installation of an OEM one, the Accord has been trouble free.

Unfortunately aftermarket parts are so shoddy and made out of spec today. Quality control is non existent in the PRC. Most products made in Mexico seem to be better built.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I would try and get denso or ngk parts for electrical as they are what came with the vehicle. Most times parts stores like CarQuest can get them for you or you can search online.

 

[PlanetExpress]

Starters, alts, brake pads/rotors, oil filters, headlights, spark plugs that type of thing I use auto parts store for. Sensors- such as MAF, TPS, O2 I always use OEM parts for unless there is the same brand available at a store. .

I think I will have to adopt this policy. It was just really odd to me that it was so far out of spec, I almost wanted to ask the Autozone employee for another sensor to test it as well.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

The mass marketers sell 3rd rate parts - especially those that have any electrics/electronics built in. Auto Zone is one of the worst in my opinion.

Car Quest was bought out by Advance Auto Parts. Many have been converted to Advance Auto Parts stores. A few Car Quest stores remain, but not for long.

 

[Saker]

Always OEM!