I dont know if this qualifies for a tech related post but I wanted to post a warning to anyone searching ebay for cheap parts, sensors, etc. I have learned a valuable lesson today. Be careful about buying cheap parts on ebay. In the last few months I have purchased a TPS for $24, IAC for $29 and a MAP for $24 all in an effort to get on top of maintenance and start replacing parts that could go out. Since then I have had to replace the IAC and TPS again.

IAC cheap $29 new $59
TPS cheap $24 new $46
MAP Cheap $24 seems ok so far
total $182 for all parts
$53 in useless parts
valuable lesson learned = Priceless

 

good lesson learned
it's an unfortunate fact that most of your cheap auto parts, especially electrical components, off of Ebay are just useless made in china junk.
amazon actually has lots of good deals on auto parts that are brand name

 

ebay = no way for automotive sensors.

Unless it is a verified name brand.

 

+1,000,000. eBay's official motto should be "Buyer Beware."

 

E-bay used to be cool back when it started, now its just a giant internet store selling cheap Chinese made goods as someone already mentioned. I dont buy off E-bay or Walmart for that reason, I'd rather spend the extra dough and get a quality part.

 

Yea, the TPS is the best example. The one from Ebay failed pretty quickly and my mechanic said it was way out of spec. He tried to adjust it but I don't think that worked. The worse part is there is no warranty when you buy from ebay. Even though the autozone parts are not considered the best, I have never had trouble with the duralast brand and each part has a two year warranty. I put a duralast battery (their top of the line battery) and it works great and has an 8 year warranty. You can still get quality parts without spending a lot of money but you still have to be smart about it.

 

Iv'e got alot of great deals on ebay, but I would never buy an autoparts there. And people refer to ebay as a brand and its not. There are alot of good "business's" on there and alot of crappy sellers that sell junk and don't stand by the product. And after the first purchase didnt turn out good, why would you keep buying parts?

 

I never said that I kept buying parts from ebay after the first one failed. I purchased the parts several months ago and installed them around the same time. Within a week or each part. After several months of having the parts installed they started failing. The new parts I referred to are from Autozone and have worked great but cost nearly twice as much.

 

I just bought a durlast iac and tps for around 30-35 each at my local autozone. not a whole lot more than your ebay parts, plus the 2 year warranty. Not sure why your autozone has it listed for close to double what I paid here.

Edit: didnt realize you had a 2001, still may apply though?

 

Gotcha, it was just worded that way.

 

thanks for the heads up. I always feel a little ify buying electronics from the bay.

 

try here i got a magnaflow cat. o2 sensor and a manifold/pipe gasket for 172.00 with free shipping. http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/

 

I've purchased two parts from EBAY with no issues.... I got an aftermarket NSS for about 40$ from an auto parts wholesaler with a 1 year warranty... I also scored a MOPAR Crank sensor brand new for 15$ from a private seller.... I guess you just have to be careful. But if I had a bad experience I probably wouldn't use ebay any more either!

p.s. You can also review feedback and ratings for the sellers.