Thanks for your responses. Rob and 2late4U, I know I'm not going to get an accurate quote from either the dealer or a repair shop for this job, it's a very uncommon repair. That's why I'm here, I'm bypassing the dealership/repair shops and trying to get a ballpark idea of the cost. OhareFred, thanks for you direction, that helped a lot. I couldn't find the $1000-1500 estimate. I did find a lot like you and 2late4U have communicated on other threads (my best wishes for both of you) and that the repair looks like its contained to swapping out the radio/HVAC controls which is a single integrated unit. So if I call the dealerships parts department and ask for a new radio, add 2-3 service hours for removal/replacement of the dash I should have the repair costs. If the radio is outrageously expensive I can go to a junkers, get a radio cheap, install it myself with one of the threads describing how to reactivate the radio with the correct codes. As a Christmas present the radio has stopped going into zombie mode so I'm fine for the time being. If/when it starts happening again at least I have a plan.
Thanks,
Greg