MAF Sensor cost – huge differences – Why?

[Gillius]

My 2003 Suzuki Aerio is running rough, It came to the dealership after me and my local mechanic gave up, i got an error code about the MAF sensor, the mechanic in the dealership said that when he plugs his system to my car’s computer the data seem good, except when it “goes in and out” and determined that the problem is a bad MAF sensor. The service lady told me that they will have to get a new one but it can obly come with the whole “body” (throttle body?) and that will be around $1400 (even though the problem is only in the MAF. She did suggest to me off the record that I may be able to get the same part myself and they will install it for me.

I looked online, and found that the price varies between $39 to $900! for seemingly the same part and the same P/N (which is 13400-77EVO) Just to be clear – I am only looking at new parts

What is the reason for this huge gap? Here is an example for an expensive one:
http://www.carpartswarehouse.com/parts/49-00116.html

Here is an eBay search that shows the huge price gap.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.X13400-77EVO&_nkw=13400-77EVO&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Any idea?

Topic

[Bill]

That’s a good question. I might be wrong but the cheapest could be stolen. next could be made off shore. next comes a reasonable profit. and then comes greed.

I would buy some MAF cleaner and give it a good cleaning inside. Let i dry and reinstall it. It might or might not cure your problem. You only have a few dollars and some time to lose.

[Author]

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