What should labor charge be?

[bcolts]

I have become addicted to Sirius XM and I have started getting the dreaded "no signal" way too frequently. Did the call to Sirius, got the booster signals, none of which did any good. Will lose signal in totally unobstructed areas for hours and then for no reason get it back again.
Took it to the dealer who did a test and said head unit and radio were fine, the issue was the antenna and it would cost $780 including install to replace. They had priced out all the wiring from the head unit back when I felt like just changing out the shark fin antenna ought to do it.
A search on this site found at least a couple folks who claimed the 2010 shark fin was known to have issues and when it was replaced, satellite nirvana was restored. I figure I would test that theory out so I've ordered just the fin from Olathe Toyota online ($202--which was bad enough, but I figure it would be the correct part with the correct connector and should be basically plug and play).

So my question is, what would be a fair charge to carefully pull back the headliner, unplug and unbolt the current shark fin, plug in and bolt up the new one and then carefully replace the headliner? Current labor estimate from dealer is $470. Yeah, you read that right, $470.

 

[3wbdriver]

No help here, but this is the reason I'm still rocking an XM Roadie and a magnetic antenna. It's on its 3rd vehicle since purchase in 2008 for around $60. Toyota wanted $229 just for the head unit and mine doesn't even have a shark fin.

 

[flyrv9]

Did they give you any more info besides the antenna is bad? It would be interesting to know what tests they did. If the head unit is good, then you're looking at the cable, antenna or bonding or connections.

 

[bcolts]

Did they give you any more info besides the antenna is bad? It would be interesting to know what tests they did. If the head unit is good, then you're looking at the cable, antenna or bonding or connections.

Talked with the tech guy who walked me through the process of elimination testing that left the antenna as the primary culprit. He did say there was a "small chance" it could be the harness, but " usually when I see this, it's the antenna". Sounds like they disconnect the antenna assembly and then plug in their portable testing unit.

 

[flyrv9]

Ok then unless you want to tear into it; you are probably better off relocating it somewhere else. If you do tear into it; i'd check that stuff first before spending hundreds. Look for loose connections and corrosion. Take connections apart and inspect. Besides those, also look to see if the center conductor is not recessed. If the tech can give you a value you can check it with a meter from the head unit. Intermittent reception is also caused by poor bonding. If they just slapped the antenna on primer or painted metal you could get the same results. I wonder what a wrecking yard antenna / cable would cost.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Talked with the tech guy who walked me through the process of elimination testing that left the antenna as the primary culprit. He did say there was a "small chance" it could be the harness, but " usually when I see this, it's the antenna". Sounds like they disconnect the antenna assembly and then plug in their portable testing unit.

They should have a Toyota specified antennae testing kit they're using. It's essentially a set of antennae and some other stuff to go with it. But it let's us bypass the harness and antennae to rule those out during testing. Sounds about what the technician did. I've seen antennae go out/get wonky more than the harness, but then again most of them are one unit.

Dropping the headliner is not as easy as you might think, at least not if you want it to look nice afterwards. You have to take off most of the paneling in the back to get the headliner to wiggle loose enough to pull it down and get the antennae loose with putting big creases in the headliner (now to be fair you can crease those things and sometimes when you reinstall them you'll never see it, but that's not really the right way to do things).

Is that $470 quote to drop the headliner and replace the wiring harness or just the shark fin?

 

[bcolts]

They should have a Toyota specified antennae testing kit they're using. It's essentially a set of antennae and some other stuff to go with it. But it let's us bypass the harness and antennae to rule those out during testing. Sounds about what the technician did. I've seen antennae go out/get wonky more than the harness, but then again most of them are one unit.

Dropping the headliner is not as easy as you might think, at least not if you want it to look nice afterwards. You have to take off most of the paneling in the back to get the headliner to wiggle loose enough to pull it down and get the antennae loose with putting big creases in the headliner (now to be fair you can crease those things and sometimes when you reinstall them you'll never see it, but that's not really the right way to do things).

Is that $470 quote to drop the headliner and replace the wiring harness or just the shark fin?

That was the original quote that was for part 86760-35010-B1 and install. Also said that it was possible sub assembly might also be needed, parts 86101-35190 and 86101-35210 for $510, which was not clear whether that included install or not.

 

[infinitedev]

Diy

Save the money and do it yourself.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/215885-low-profile-xm-shark-fin-antenna-swap-8.html#post2717528

 

[bcolts]

Save the money and do it yourself.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/215885-low-profile-xm-shark-fin-antenna-swap-8.html#post2717528

I saw this and it at least gave me an idea of what was involved in switching out the antenna and some talking points at the dealership. Doesn't look too bad--especially for someone who's done it before. I haven't, which brings me back to my original question, what would be a fair price to have it done?

 

[Brandon_Reed]

There's the right way, which with the proper tools and experience probably takes at least two hours and the shortcut way that takes about 15 to 30 minutes. the biggest risk you take with the shortcut is creasing the headliner. You may have an 8 year old truck but if it it is still pristine and you prefer to keep it such are you willing to take the risk on the shortcut?

The proper way is to remove all the upper panels and the plastic fasteners to drop the headliner.

The shortcut involves pulling the last couple panels and the plugs along the opening in the cargo area and sneaking your arm in between the headliner and the roof.

 

[bcolts]

There's the right way, which with the proper tools and experience probably takes at least two hours and the shortcut way that takes about 15 to 30 minutes. the biggest risk you take with the shortcut is creasing the headliner. You may have an 8 year old truck but if it it is still pristine and you prefer to keep it such are you willing to take the risk on the shortcut?

The proper way is to remove all the upper panels and the plastic fasteners to drop the headliner.

The shortcut involves pulling the last couple panels and the plugs along the opening in the cargo area and sneaking your arm in between the headliner and the roof.

OK, so done the right way, 2 hours. What should that equate to in $? $100? $200? Help a brother out...its got to be less than $470.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

OK, so done the right way, 2 hours. What should that equate to in $? $100? $200? Help a brother out...its got to be less than $470.

Not sure what parts are in the breakdown. But labor is about 2hrs probably, I'd guess $120 per hour is probably about what the dealer charges for labor?

 

[bcolts]

Not sure what parts are in the breakdown. But labor is about 2hrs probably, I'd guess $120 per hour is probably about what the dealer charges for labor?

According to the breakdown, $470 was the install portion of the bill. Sounds like $250-$300 would be reasonable? If they won't come off the $470, I wonder if a good audio installer could do the work as well?

 

[Kashoggio]

How many hours are they quoting you and what's their labor rate per hour. Remember you are paying flat rate hours not what you think it should take a guy to do it.

 

[oljedi11950]

I saw this and it at least gave me an idea of what was involved in switching out the antenna and some talking points at the dealership. Doesn't look too bad--especially for someone who's done it before. I haven't, which brings me back to my original question, what would be a fair price to have it done?

Since I have an 11 & same fin it is def the antenna ! Fairly easy to replace , hmm let me quantify easy , if you are an old skinny armed man it is !! F-n tight when unplugging antenna & trying to tighten nut but yes sort of !:bash::cheers: 45 min much cursing tho

 

[bcolts]

How many hours are they quoting you and what's their labor rate per hour. Remember you are paying flat rate hours not what you think it should take a guy to do it.

Here's the update. After feedback from this site, I figured 2 hours at $100 an hour for the install (their quote was $479) would be reasonable. Was headed to the dealership to try to make that happen, and decided to stop at a body shop I had worked with in the past.
Told them that I had an OEM shark fin antenna that I wanted installed and could they do it. One of the techs asked where on the roof the antenna was located, he then saw the car outside and said, "in the back, yeah, no problem. Can I have your key?"
I got my computer bag, etc out of the car and got situated in their waiting room , figuring I was gonna be there for awhile, when 5 minutes later--seriously, 5 minutes later--the manager says they're bringing my truck around. That's how long it took this guy to do what was supposed to take 2 hours to do. When I asked what I owed them, the manager said "don't worry about it". Unbelievable! I told the guy no way and left and brought back a couple dozen Krispy Kremes for the shop as some kind of small thank you to Karma.
I still am in disbelief that a dealership would go for that kind of margin on what apparently is a very simple, quick job. I know they've got more overhead than a body shop, but still...
By the way, one of the wires from the shark fin had rubbed against a metal edge of the base just enough to break the insulation letting it randomly short out the antenna.
Thanks for everyone's input.