HULK SMASH.

[kingandy]

According to the Honda main dealer, to buy a "stem" (headlight switch) for a 1989 Honda Accord you have to order the whole assembly - £170.

Jesus fuck.

So, I've resumed ringing around spare parts dealers and breakers' yards.  I don't want to junk the car on the basis of just the one switch, but damn, that's a lot of money.

UPDATE: Have been recommended a scrap yard near the A56/M65 junction - apparently it's massive and has everything. So I guess I'll risk a drive over to Bolton on Tuesday. Geek is on.

Comments

[renniek.livejournal.com]

They always pull that kind of crap with car parts. I remember when some bastard smashed the driver side wing mirror on my Nissan Micra, I couldn't just buy a replacement mirror - I had to buy the whole unit.

[kingandy]

I'm given to understand scrap yards are the place to look. Will try one on the way home tomorrow...

[pax-draconis.livejournal.com]

This sounds very rum.

I know this is back seat driving, but you have checked the fuses and stuff?

[kingandy]

Yeah, I had an auto electrician take a look at it on Saturday - at first he couldn't get the dip beam working at all, but after fixing the (and I quote) "cold solder on the dip beam relay" he was able to get them to light up by bridging the connections (ie, bypassing the stem).

You'd know that already if you really loved me.

[pax-draconis.livejournal.com]

Mm. Buggered then.

I know sod all about auto electrics (save that when you get them wrong, there's a blue flash, a loud bang and you have to scrap your car), but I'd rather drag my disembowelled intestines over a plain of sharp flints than part with multiple hundreds of pounds to a grinning bandit in a dealership.

*shrug* Joys of motoring.

You'd know that already if you really loved me.

That's me told.

[samharber.livejournal.com]

I had the stem go on my Sierra many years ago. It would randomly swap between side lights and full beam, which made driving fun for everyone. A Ford garage quoted me something similar. I took it to an ordinary garage, he had a look, phoned a mate of his at a breakers yard and had the entire job done the next weekend at a cost of £30.
Of course, if you can get the stem yourself that saves a lot of time.

[tallulahs.livejournal.com]

Not sure if either of these will help??

http://www.247spares.co.uk/honda-parts/

http://www.cleavemotorsalvage.com

[kingandy]

Cheers, I'll try those if the scrap yard is shut when I drop by tomorrow...

[icklejo]

There are a couple near my work in Bury. We had some luck getting mini wiring looms and stuff there so could well have what you're looking for. As far as I can remember they're on Pimhole(s) Road in Bury, so probably called Pimholes breakers or such like. Have a look on Yell and you should be able to find them.

[phyrbyrd.livejournal.com]

£170? Phweee...
Good luck, my friend...