general commodore queries

[Violet Crumble]

hi all, am new on here and am quite green in my knowledge of cars!...so would love some advice

i have a 2005 commodore acclaim wagon:

1. a couple of months ago i bent the antenna and last week it completely broke off along with the cord that was attached to the aerial motor. what options do i have to replace it? i went to a holden dealer and they quoted $566 to have it fixed! i can't afford that much and can't help but think that is way over-priced anyhow!

2. a year ago i had to have the ignition barrel replaced as the key would not turn. this cost me $325 at the holden dealer. almost a year to the day i had it replaced it stopped working again. the NRMA roadside assistance guy told me it was a very common problem with holden. he said i would be better off going to an automotive locksmith replacing it as they will upgrade it and i won't have the issue again. i've taken it back to the holden dealer and asked them to replace it free of charge as the part is still under warranty. they have told me that they also have to fix the ignition switch which will cost me an additional $131. am i being taken for a ride regarding the switch part? i would have thought it would all be part of the same thing. considering i originally spent $325 on this, perhaps i'm naive but i thought i wouldn't have an ignition problem after fixing it the first time? any thoughts from anyone on this?

3. anyone know of good "get to know your car" or maintenance type courses in sydney for clueless people such as myself?!

4. someone dented the back of my wagon door, and i've managed to scrape the paint off the back left door - anyone know of any good smash repairs places in the sydney area?

cheers, and appreciate any good advice!

[too jazzy]

try this for the aerial (New Genuine) Holden Commodore VN,VP,VR,VS,VT,VX,VY,& VZ AERIAL (ROPE & MAST) rest i dunno

[Calaber]

I think the dealer has taken you for a fool. The aerial mast is a separate component on electric aerials and the post above gives you a cue to a replacement on e-bay. They only cost about $56 from Supercheap but they are a bugger to fit, so you would need to include a labour charge on top of that. The quote you received must have been for a complete aerial with motor, plus labour, but it's still excessive. If you don't need a power aerial, you can fit a manual one for about $25 and the work involved is much simpler.

The ignition switch is a separate component to the lock barrel. When the ignition lock fails, it's not the switch that goes - it's the actual locking mechanism. I would expect a newly fitted one from a dealer to last more than 12 months. It's difficult to assess your problem without seeing the car. If the lock fails, the key usually can't be turned, or the key turns but the switch doesn't activate. If your problem is the second one, it is still likely to be the lock again, rather than a new switch. The lock barrel is made of a cheap and nasty alloy and has a small drive shaft extending from the back of it which fits into the switch and turns it on and off. This pin breaks off, the key still turns normally but the switch is not activated. As that your problem?

Do you have any mates who are car savvy? They can be the best teachers. Otherwise, I think basic maintenance courses are run by the NRMA and DEET (the old TAFE).

For basic body repairs, you should be able to use any reputable repairer. Check with your insurer to see who they recommend.

[STEEV888]

i call bullshit on the $131 switch.. was it an "extra charge" after you screamed warranty?

also WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU EVER GO TO HOLDEN >.<