GEN 2 Dealers, Warranties and TSBs...

[nikhsub1]

I'm just trying to understand the logic of the dealers here. I mean, they could say that my aftermarket wheels and tires are responsible for the rough shifting transmission, or the Fox 3.0's or the UCAs. Where does the madness end? Ford Corp is calling me back after they speak to the dealer.

I'm now thinking there is no way in hell Ford will fix my phasers either. I'm sure the cause is the intake!

 

[Badgertits]

Let us know how it turns out, because several of us might find ourselves in a similar situation down the road. I have an MPT tune with transmission tune, so I would not take mine in for a rough shifting TSB, but there might be other TSBs which could randomly be denied.

I know of people who have flashed to stock literally the day before going in for that TSB &/or cam phaser issue & no mention of tune or warranty issue - when it comes to stuff they do routinely- or especially if they’re just going through motions on a TSB, what motivation/interest would a tech have to spend even 1 iota of additional effort do some investigative work & go outta their way to look deeper into the ecu history to see how many ignition cycles & then have a “gochya!!!” Moment w/ a random customer who purchased one of if not the most Expensive vehicles made by Ford?

they generally want those customerS to do keep repeating that same kinda biz ya feel me?

They DO get skittish about obvious mods though b/c They don’t wanna develop bad rap w/ Ford corporate & newer service mgrs who don’t have a history of work behind them are afraid to get in trouble for not picking up on something that is blatantly obvious mod- & the service mgrs that are limited in intelligence/experience/knowledge etc may be even more apt to just avoid that kinda stuff outta sheer ignorance

that being said it’s why I always say the big FMICs or any Ic that requires modifying the grills/ catch cans that require drilling/ any CAIs that do nothing for performance anyhow etc. are red flags for these kinda numbskull service mgrs you’re asking for them to mess w/ ya

a tune on the other hand- esp if w/ a remote device you don’t mount in the truck- is IMO the LEAST attention getting mod for obvious reasons. Truth be told- how many threads ya seen when it comes to F150s & can phasers or sunroofs....tell how many threads you can find on someone having warranty work Denied b/c of a tune.


I honestly can’t think of one & I been member of frf for 1.5 years now...

 

[TXRaptor]

I know of people who have flashed to stock literally the day before going in for that TSB &/or cam phaser issue & no mention of tune or warranty issue - when it comes to stuff they do routinely- or especially if they’re just going through motions on a TSB, what motivation/interest would a tech have to spend even 1 iota of additional effort do some investigative work & go outta their way to look deeper into the ecu history to see how many ignition cycles & then have a “gochya!!!” Moment w/ a random customer who purchased one of if not the most Expensive vehicles made by Ford?

they generally want those customerS to do keep repeating that same kinda biz ya feel me?

They DO get skittish about obvious mods though b/c They don’t wanna develop bad rap w/ Ford corporate & newer service mgrs who don’t have a history of work behind them are afraid to get in trouble for not picking up on something that is blatantly obvious mod- & the service mgrs that are limited in intelligence/experience/knowledge etc may be even more apt to just avoid that kinda stuff outta sheer ignorance

that being said it’s why I always say the big FMICs or any Ic that requires modifying the grills/ catch cans that require drilling/ any CAIs that do nothing for performance anyhow etc. are red flags for these kinda numbskull service mgrs you’re asking for them to mess w/ ya

a tune on the other hand- esp if w/ a remote device you don’t mount in the truck- is IMO the LEAST attention getting mod for obvious reasons. Truth be told- how many threads ya seen when it comes to F150s & can phasers or sunroofs....tell how many threads you can find on someone having warranty work Denied b/c of a tune.


I honestly can’t think of one & I been member of frf for 1.5 years now...

I know they tend to focus on the visible mods, which mine has plenty. (Springs, leafs, RPG Bumps, 37s, Full Race FMIC, shutter removal, frame horn cut bumper, 40" BD lights, Black roof and stinger hood, to name a few...) After my full build, I took it in for the mandatory front end alignment, so they have seen the truck with everything on it. I always remove my tune, just in case they want to reflash and I have not had an issue so far. They "seem" to be a mod friendly dealer because the sell a lot of the aftermarket 4x4 "packages" with lift kits and big wheels on new F150s and F250s. (I am in Texas, after all)

However, I have not tried to make a warranty claim, only the safety recall about the seat belt mechanism catching fire in an accident and two oil changes. In all cases, they had no reason to snoop around my ecu...

 

[RonPorter]

Galpin or Pomona. Switch to your stock intake temporarily

 

[anothervr6kid]

Sure I could but I won't. I'm actually speaking with Ford Corp as I type this. Will update with any new info.

That’s the way to go. I had to do it with my BMW for a warranty issue and they ended up covering it. The dealer was super nice to me too when I went to pick it up.

 

[ericburney]

I would reach out to [email protected]

Buena Park,CA

 

[FordTechOne]

So, I called a local dealer here in SoCal to get a TSB done on the rough shifting transmission. Called, they said no problem bring it in we'll flash while you wait. Great! Made an appt for today at 8am. On my way there my recurring P0420 CEL. came on (catalyst below threshold value). I told them it was probably that CEL as I've had it before and cleared it. So I'm in the lounge and my service advisor (who was really cool BTW) came in with a tech to discuss the CEL. The tech said it could be caused by my aftermarket intake. Right away alarm bells went off. I calmly said there is no way in hell a bad CAT is caused by an aftermarket intake. We left it at that and I said that is not why the truck is here, it's here for the TSB for the tranny. Waited a bit longer then my SA comes over and says the service manager wants to speak with me. She tells me they won't do the TSB due to my 'modifications'. I asked her to explain how an intake has anything to do with a transmission TSB that should take 20 mins. At the end of the day I left without anything being done.

Is it just dealers around here that are this stupid? Anyone know of a mod friendly dealer in SoCal (Los Angeles specifically)? I think I might call Ford corp but would it just be a waste of time? Anyone with any mods stay far away from Santa Monica Ford.

So obviously the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act did nothing for me here - those of you who use this as a shield that no once can deny you warranty are kidding yourselves. I asked the SM if my radio broke would she deny warranty on that due to my 'modifications' - she said no. I said the intake has as little to do with the trans as it does the radio. She gave zero *****. Wonder what @FordTechOne thinks?

THE TSB



The Denial of service/warranty/TSB



The awful service managers card

Sounds like they got spooked over your mods. Not the type of mods, just the fact that you had them. My guess would be that dealer has been in trouble with warranty before, and they’ve put in some sort of policy to avoid servicing vehicles that have aftermarket equipment. As you mention, your aftermarket intake has nothing to do with your transmission shifting concern.

Was Ford Customer Care able to help you out? They can often reach out to dealers on your behalf, relay your concerns, and set up the appointment so there are no surprises when you get there.

 

[RotorHead695]

I had the same TSB done on my truck and they re-flash the PCM to fix it which also resets the engine software. So while I don't agree with their decision, I see how they could link engine "modifications" to the re-flash.

 

[Robert Bennett]

So, I called a local dealer here in SoCal to get a TSB done on the rough shifting transmission. Called, they said no problem bring it in we'll flash while you wait. Great! Made an appt for today at 8am. On my way there my recurring P0420 CEL. came on (catalyst below threshold value). I told them it was probably that CEL as I've had it before and cleared it. So I'm in the lounge and my service advisor (who was really cool BTW) came in with a tech to discuss the CEL. The tech said it could be caused by my aftermarket intake. Right away alarm bells went off. I calmly said there is no way in hell a bad CAT is caused by an aftermarket intake. We left it at that and I said that is not why the truck is here, it's here for the TSB for the tranny. Waited a bit longer then my SA comes over and says the service manager wants to speak with me. She tells me they won't do the TSB due to my 'modifications'. I asked her to explain how an intake has anything to do with a transmission TSB that should take 20 mins. At the end of the day I left without anything being done.

Is it just dealers around here that are this stupid? Anyone know of a mod friendly dealer in SoCal (Los Angeles specifically)? I think I might call Ford corp but would it just be a waste of time? Anyone with any mods stay far away from Santa Monica Ford.

So obviously the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act did nothing for me here - those of you who use this as a shield that no once can deny you warranty are kidding yourselves. I asked the SM if my radio broke would she deny warranty on that due to my 'modifications' - she said no. I said the intake has as little to do with the trans as it does the radio. She gave zero *****. Wonder what @FordTechOne thinks?

THE TSB



The Denial of service/warranty/TSB



The awful service managers card

I have had good luck with Bob Wondries Ford in Alhambra. Mandy is my service advisor. Took mine in for the same TSB, turned out it had already been flashed and fixed prior but they found another issue with the transmission and had to fix (forgot what it was LOL).

I even had the issue with the 4x trying to engage at 70+ MPH, they couldn’t duplicate the issue so they let me take the front end tech on a long trip to duplicate.

The other SAs there seem to be a bit arrogant but Mandy has been great every time I take mine in. Hope this helps.

 

[nikhsub1]

I had the same TSB done on my truck and they re-flash the PCM to fix it which also resets the engine software. So while I don't agree with their decision, I see how they could link engine "modifications" to the re-flash.

The TSB only references the trans, not the ECU. Thanks for all the recommendations for local dealers from those who have thrown them out there. Still waiting for Ford to call me back...