fordtech1

No more P05/P07. Now the dealers are alotted a certain amount per quarter. Thats it. And its not alot. It depends on a few things, but I remember hearing something like ours is $5,000. So one transmission job or diesel job and its almost wiped out until next quarter.

I am just curious what everyone's opinion is on the subject of Ford's liability after warranty experiation. It baffles me as to why auto manufacturers are held to a longer standard than any other manufacturer. How long should it be? For instance, I had a customer that has a vehicle with a heated seat problem. The vehicle is 10k out of warranty and 6 months out of time. The heated seats worked fine until now. He is very upset because he has to pay. He thinks Ford should be responsible. Here is my take on it. Ok you had 3/36 to purchase a extended service plan. You decided not to purchase that "insurance". Something failed out of the stated warranty. You took the risk, you have to pay. Had this been a home roof or applicance not one mention would be made about "maytag" should fix it for free. Whats your opinion?

Do you know if the PCM has been updated to the latest calibration? That would be something to look into. It could be a fuel pressure leak off issue also or fuel pump or relay issue. Things I have seen on escape 3.0 that cause driveability issues, are intake gaskets (o-rings), PCV tube and valve and IAC. Thats about it on a 03 model. If you cycle the key from off to run 2 twice before you crank it at 3 second interval, that will prime the fuel pump. If that fixes your issue, you may have a fuel pump check valve letting pressure bleed back to the tank. If thats the case, you will have to put in a pump. Let me know how it goes.

All I can say is wow. Thats a terrible job. I have replaced the sun shades before. I can tell you, the metal rod at the front of the shade is a easy fix. Basicaly the rod is supposed to be rolled 180 degrees so it is rolled in the fabric then placed in the snaps. All your issues are really a easy fix. However, that is no excuse for returning it to you looking like that. My next step would be to call the service manager and set up a time to come in and point out all the concerns you have. Don't settle for the service advisor. I would also ride with him and show him the rattle you are hearing. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

When is Ford revealing its CV PI replacement? I thought its to be sometime first quarter 2010. Is that correct?

I agree. To me the Jaguar XF would have been a good one also.

I thought the MKC was going to be for a Focus based Lincoln.

Wonder what the name for the Escape/Kuga Lincoln is going to be? MK-?

I thought that the Jag s-type came first, but I see they came at the time. From my experience working on both LS and S-type, they are so similar. The LS is not like any other Ford product. Everything from its electronics and its brakes/suspension are not like any other Fords I have every worked on. However, I have worked on several S-types and I actually use LS PCM ID numbers to make IDS communitcate with the Jag for diag test. I worked on a few other Jags, ie x-type XK, and I see more in common with them and the LS than I do other Fords. When the LS came out, it was intimidating to alot of guys because it was nothing like any Ford product. Its electronics were nothing like the Mark 8 or Continential, Fords most high tech cars around that time. And boy did the LS have problems that even Ford didn't know how to fix. Tons of software issues. Tons of wiring/ground issues. Still a awesome car and I am looking for a good deal on one. The Zephyer/MKZ was a lame ass attempt at a replacement. The dash reminds me of Granada dash. The new MKZ is much better. Still not a LS. I have a few customers that love the LS. They say "just drive it and you will get it". To me the MKS is the best attempt since the LS that lincoln has made. It just needs something to make it stand out. It does not remind me of a Taurus any more than a Camry does a ES350. I do like some of the MKS commercials.

I agree. I compared a 03 CTS to a 03 Lincoln LS . No comparison. The lincoln was so much nicer on the inside. The CTS was cool on the outside but was too GM on the inside. I still like the LS. I think Lincoln was on the right road with the LS then dropped the ball. Had they got the Jaguar DNA bugs out before it launched, I think it would have been a huge success and they could have kept updating instead of letting it rott. The 00-01 LS was a nightmare of problems. IMO, No company will be another "BMW or Mercedes" if the have a lesser brand. Because they will always be called "rebadged over stuffed" models of the cheaper brand. Even Lexus is still called a Toyota.

It strikes me as odd that for a couple of production months the mustang did worse than the year before it. Especially when it was basicaly the same car as the year before except trim.

Has anyone seen the rating for the 2010 Mustang convertible by IIHS? Take a look and tell me if it makes much sense. If its built before Jan '10 is "Poor", If its built after Dec 09 its "Good". But 09 gets "acceptable". I guess the requirements went up from 07- 09 to 10.

If its just one bump feel when taking off from a stop or stopping, it may just be the driveshaft slip yoke needs to be lubricated with teflon grease. Your dealer will know what I am talking about. They will charge you .5-1.0 hr to do it. The drive shaft is two piece and slides in and out of each other as the suspension moves. When you first take off, thats when normaly you feel it the worst. I bet that is your problem.

Do the 4x4 lights come on in the cluster? If so, the most common problem is the vacuum solenoid on the bulkhead next to the battery. That system has a shift fork on the front axle to engage it. It is controlled by those vacuum solenoids. One is to engage the axle and the other solenoid is to disengage. Ford went to just one solenoid on the later years, but without looking I can not remember the exact model year. I would replace those solenoids. Also, check the vacuum lines around that area for cracking and splitting and repair.

My F150 does the same thing. I know what you are talking about. However, its a software issue in the module. I have not run into anyway to change that. I think its just normal operation. If I come accross any new info I will let you know.

I know exactly what you are talking about. What the issue is that the headlamps are activated by wipers automaticaly. When the head lamps are turned on, the nav system sees the lights are on and goes dim like it should. What I have to do, is on rare occasions, I just turn the display setting on the nav to Day instead of Auto for the time needed. Then I just turn it back to auto when I realize the screen is super bright at night.

There is a TSB about code U2062 in the ABS module. Basicaly you modify the harness by replacing the existing grounds for that module and relocating them. Did they tell you what the codes were? Alot of the issues with those ABS systems are connector pin fittings. The Hybrid warranty only includes high voltage battery, DC/DC convertor and Traction motor. It does not include ABS.

Speaking of parts. Recently it seems parts prices are out of sight. Its hard to sell a job when a OEM part costs so much. A fuel pump for a 00 Navigator was $500.00. Thats hard to sell.

I am very fortunate that my warranty clerk is very good at getting us the max he can. He used to be a tech. I have worked at other dealers that this was not the case. To be a good warranty clerk, you have to know about a car,if not, you will miss some ops. The only way I can make up my time on warranty is M-time from electrical. I do a ton of electrical,interior. and water leaks. If a TSB is involved, your screwed, doesn't matter how much you write. However, a good story on everything else is the key. But still, Ford has gotten really tight on diag times. A/C used to be great money. Not anymore. They have cut a/c times so much, I hate to do it. I still think flat rate is out dated. I almost always get more that the 50hrs I put in. When times were good, I was doing 85-95hrs no sweat. Now its hard because we are slower and the times are cut down. I think that if you want the best customer satisfaction then the techs need to be paid a base pay and a commission over a certain production level. Its hard to spend the neccessary time needed to repair some complicated systems. Its also hard to have the desire to spend hours on something that you know you will not get paid on. I am actually looking to change professions in a couple of years. I used to love this trade. Now I am burn't out. I want to do this as a hobbie not a career. The issue I have is the money. Its hard to find other fields that will make the same money as a good productive tech makes. As I posted before, its hard to go into work and deal with the dealership BS. Some of us really try and have integrity. However, the crook of the shop is protected by management and has terrible work ethics, and makes more money doing flushes and brake jobs, then me doing Nav installs and water leaks and tedious work. Ok I am done ranting.

Yes it is still a problem. Ford warranty also looks for any possible excuse not to pay a claim. Alot of the warranty times are rediculous. For instance, a transmission cooler in a 08 escape pays 1.1 hours. This time is supposed to include. Checking out the leak to make sure thats whats leaking, go to the parts window and get the cooler, go back to vehicle and remove bumper, evacuate a/c system, replace cooler, charge a/c system, reinstall bumper, clean off fluid from leak, turn in old parts, top fluid level,and test drive, the write up repair order and turn in. Customer pay time should be close to 2.5 hours. Normal Evac and recharge a/c pays 1.4 hrs. Another interesting warranty time is power window motors on 02-05 explorer. To replace one rear it pays something like 0.4 to replace one rear window motor. Thats 24 mins. Give me a break. Same job should pay a 1.0hr for customer pay. From a Techs standpoint, we don't care whos paying, the job is the same.

I just did my first 2010 Hybrid Milan brake software reprogram. Takes about 10 min. No biggie. I have a 06 Mariner Hybrid. The brakes on the Milan are unreal touchy compared to my Mariner. The Mariner has a touchy spot when stopping and it switches from regen brakes to friction brakes, around 15mph. But the ones in the Milan are super touchy. With my big foot on the pedal, man do they stop! I cant imagine it being a huge deal if the Milan pedal was to be desensitized on a occasion because of the software. I am looking into getting a new FFH. But it will take a while to adjust to the touchy brakes. If I but one I better drive it solo for a while not to give passengers whip lash.

List price for the Nav disc is $330.00. It takes 3 hours for it to download. If 10 percent is downloaded, it will continue to download even with the key off. That way, you don't have to stay in it and wait for it to download. I heard someone told me the Honda Nav updates are like $700.00. But thats just hear say. The Garmin units are much more cost effective to update. I believe the new 2011 My Ford nav systems are going to use a SD card and make the updates more resonable.

Just to ease your mind alittle. The FEH braking system has a fail safe, that in the event the entire system fails, the vehicle will have manual brakes. It opens valves and makes the brakes manual. It takes the brake by wire and turns it into a manual brake system. I have a 06 MMH with 106k and no brake porblems yet. You problem will hopefully be either a brake pressure switch or a sensor.

I agree with you. I work in a dealership and it amazes the crazy BS that goes on. I think alot of this is from years of a completely outdated pay system for techs and service advisors and a warranty system that is worse than insurance companies as far as looking for reasons not to pay. Not to mention the lack of management at dealership level. Ford has turned the screws on dealers to cut warranty cost. They don't want to pay. If you have a issue that is in the "grey area", even if you are trying to satisfy the customer, the claim will be kicked back and the dealership will have to eat it. I try to stay on top of the latest info. However, it does not pay my bills to spend hours of my week looking into issues that don't pay. I still do over my share of extras without pay. But in slow times, its hard to. I understand your frustration. I leave work some days so aggrivated that I have to justify coming back the next day. Its not just Ford. I have friends at other dealers, and its the same everywhere. Just some worse than others. It is personal satisfaction for me to know most of the answers most of the time when others just shrug their shoulders. I just wish it paid to answer questions. By the way, some of us do care. Its just hard to find people that do. And now even the Ford Reps can't even override Ford warranty decisions.

I recommed replacing at least the rear main seal. That engine does not use timing belts. It uses timing chains. Unless its real high mileage, I would not think there is a need for that. The water pump and front crank seal can be done in the car without trans or engine removal. The rear main seal requires trans removal. Its definately a good idea to replace the other parts while the engine is out. But if budget is a issue and you need to save some cash, then just replace later if needed.