Online Mopar parts source these days? (Q&A)

Update: Answer found below.

Has Chrysler prohibited online parts databases? As recently
as last year we could search parts from places such as
Mancari's Chrysler in Illinois (www.mancari.com), Wyckoff's
(http://www.wyckoff-mopar-parts.com), and Koller Dodge.
These places (along with just about every other dealer with
a website) still sell parts online, but you have to submit a
request manually and wait for somebody to email you a
response with the pricing and details. Previously online
database lookup, pricing, and ordering was available right
on the site.

Does anyone know where parts numbers can be searched online
and purchased without needing a human response?

Thanks.
--------------------
UPDATE: I found what I am looking for at
http://www.worldparts.com/mckinneydodge/ just before I sent
this message. You can lookup part numbers and purchase
there. I am sending anyway b/c I thought somebody might
find it useful. I'm still curious why all of those other
sites dropped their database lookup though. Maybe it was
too much trouble at the dealership with small orders.

LH transmission input & output sensors appear to be Mopar
part numbers 4800878 and 4800879, respectfully. The input
sensor is a dollar or so cheaper for some reason. Is a
sensor O-ring routinely needed when replacing these
sensors? I'm thinking about buying one of each sensor to
have on hand, since so many people are having theirs fail.
---------------------

 

I believe that Koller Dodge was either bought out or has gone
bankrupt. Not sure what happened, if either, but alot of the Neon Owners
that I deal with on a daily basis were concerned about current status of
orders they had placed with them. It's too bad, Koller was a good place
to get parts from.

 

I hope not: months ago, they special-ordered the Euro-type side-marker
lights for our 300M (and already charged the CC, since it was a special
order), and I was thinking it was about time I called to see what was
going on.

-=-
Alan

 

I just ordered from them two weeks ago. No Problems.

 

Greg Johnson wrote;

They come with "o" ring already installed on sensor.

Lou

 

Also Mechanicsville Dodge (www.mechanicsvilledodge.com) in VA has online
pricing.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Good call Bill, I use them as well. Have had good pricing as well as service.

Lou

 

Koller Dodge doing well. Wife drives past it every day.

 

But when I click on "Parts" on their Web site, I get a message about
them no longer being associated with Worldparts -- or something like that.

-=-
Alan

 

So I wonder what happened about the parts they were special-ordering for
me a few months back and for which my card was already charged? Time to
call the CC company, I think.

-=-
Alan

 

I called Koller today to get some parts prices - the guy I spoke to said
that they are going (or are already?) out of business. New name in the
facility will be (is?) Napierville Dodge. He also said that they
(Napierville Dodge) will not be doing internet/mail order sales -
strictly local business.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

That's unfortunate. On their website, they touted being "Chicagoland's
oldest Dodge Dealer."

The current economy has taken it's toll on many older businesses.

-Kirk Matheson

 

Interestingly, I live about a mile from Koller Dodge in Naperville, IL. I
was not aware they were going out of business or changing ownership. I do
know that I stopped using them for parts or service about 7-8 years back
after having a negative service experience, even though they were a 5 Star
dealer. (I have been using Bill Kay Chrysler now for parts and occasionally
for service which is located about 1/4 mile down the road from Koller and
with whom I had been happy).

I am not happy with the high replacement part prices from Chrysler. A
couple weeks back I purchased a tensioner ($170), idler ($140), and power
steering pump pulley ($65) as well as some other stuff that I also though
was overpriced by 5-10 times what it should have been. I'd appreciate
recommendations for on-line Chrysler dealers that offer discounts to
consumers who still service their own vehicles

BTW, It's kind of funny that I learned about this first from the
newsgroup...

Bob

 

The tensioner and idler were almost certainly available at lower cost from
a reputable aftermarket source.

DS

 

And they were.

I doubt if the "current economy" had anything to do with it. Somethin'
smells funny when a business as well established and popular as Koller
Dodge "goes out of business" and instantly reappears under a new name. I
suspect management malfeasance or incompetence, or maybe tax "issues".

DS

 

I know, but based my decision to stick with Mopar based on past comments of
problems with after market tensioners in this very newsgroup. The truth of
the matter is that the old ones were working fine, but as long as I had the
3.5L apart to replace the 3 timing cover/housing to block O-rings, I did not
want to have to get in there to replace them any time in the near future so
I replaced them along with the water pump and timing belt. ( I carry the
old tensioner, idler, and all the belts in my trunk just in case they are
needed....)

Bob

 

Bob Shuman wrote:

snip:

">I know, but based my decision to stick with Mopar based on past
comments of

Do ya think that's why they cost more Bob?

Check dealer prices on those parts for a Toyota, Honda or Nissan, then
get back to us about high cost of parts!

Dan

 

I may have to stand corrected on the price of the Japanese Big 3 parts.
(maybe not) but a quick check of online prices does not bear out my
thoughts. I do know that parts prices (at the stealers) for my two
Tercels ('82, '91) were way more than my Escort GT ('87) or my Taurus
wagon ('99) for similar items.

Dan

 

$21.95 for the 3.3l serp belt tensioner from Napa.
Looks exactly the same as the factory one to me.

As for quality of aftermarket parts it varies.
Some parts do indeed suck.
Some are the exact same as OEM because that particular company makes
the OEM part as well.
Some are better.

If the Chrysler OEM part (serp belt tensioner) is so good, why do they
fail all the time?

The tensioner on my GM has 310,000 miles on it and is still running
fine.

My Caravan has 40,000 miles on it and the tensioner is squealing
already.

psycho

 

Price some Mazda parts and see what you come up with. I priced a
generic-looking motor mount for one I had a coupla years ago. They
wanted over $200. I replaced all four mounts in my Cadillac for well
under that. Ignition switch for the Mazda: also over $200 just for the
part (and that was an '87 model).

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")