Warranty??

[mark]

I want to install the reinhardt performance package, but when I asked my dealer if the warranty would be affected he said yes. He said just installing the 410's would nullify the factory warranty. Also he commented that if I installed the 410s and did not tell them, they could tell through the computer. How does everone handle this problem,, do you remove the chip every time you bring in the car for service? Isn't that a pain in the a...s!

[WJSOLOMON]

I don't Think So! Whose to say where you get your Service done, as long as you're within the Service Manual's Timetable, who cares?

You have to keep in mind that the average of a GM Owner is 65 ++. The Average Age of a Lincoln Town Car Owner is 70 ++.

Do your "Thing" with your 'Rauder, and don't worry about some of the Service Department's "Drones" - it's just a "Day Job" for them.

Stay on the right side of your Dealer with some Parts Dept. / Service Dept.'s expendatures, and have your "Sales Specialist" run interferance for you.

Remember - the "SALES DEPARTMENT" Rules all of the Dealerships!

Now that you know............."Enjoy!"

[03 Merc]

Mark,

Some dealers are more mod friendly than others. Check around and find the local Ford SVT dealer and they may be less inclined to be a pain about mods. Let them put in the Ford Motorsport 4.10s at their shop. Now if they act up that dealer has a responsibility for their work even if the "factory" warranty is not in play. Nothing said you cannot use a Ford dealer after all...

If you go to any of the bigger performance sites they usually have a link to SEMA and the "Moss-Fergusson Act" which may protect you. If you put 4.10s in and the transmission toasts a hard nosed service manager or zone manager can probably make that stick, depending on the failure, due to the direct relationship to the gearing. But if the power seat motor fries they cannot claim it was due to your gear mod and deny the claim. BTW I am not aware of any mod that can "nullify" your entire warranty only the portions you modified are in contention.

The real key is how your dealership percieves you as a customer and as WJS said getting the salesman involved. Also do not be a jerk but do not roll over when the first guy says it not covered. Work your way up the food chain and you can get results...

[Logan]

Your dealer is just being a prick. An uneducated one at that. They cannot nullify your warranty for putting 4.10's in, nor can they nullify for chipping your vehicle unless the specific mod can be directly linked to the cause of the failure.

That's the bottom line.

I've been chipping and modifying my vehicles for years and have never had a problem.

I've had clutch packs in a rear-end replaced under warranty AFTER changing from stock gears with never a word said for example.

I usually remove the chip when taking my vehicles to the dealer if they have to hook up to the computer. The chip overrides factory settings and may interfere with their scans. It takes all of about 60 seconds to pop a chip out.

[bozobill]

Mark,

Be aware that some dealers abuse the factory warranty reimbursement program by not providing warranty protection for you, but claiming it from the manufacturer. For those crooks it's a "double dip"!

Boz

[jessejames]

Originally posted by Logan
.... It takes all of about 60 seconds to pop a chip out.

I read your chip install. It is very thorough. Thanks.
My questions are:

It would appear that one is adding a 'chip' to the ECU rather than replacing one. Is this so?

And, the 60 seconds you speak of is just the time to reach up under the dash and to remove Dennis's chip. Yes?

[Logan]

The chip actually plugs into the service port of the computer, and essentially overrides the factory settings.

...and yes, to remove the chip, it's simply reach up under the dash and yank it out.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Originally posted by mark
I want to install the reinhardt performance package, but when I asked my dealer if the warranty would be affected he said yes. He said just installing the 410's would nullify the factory warranty. Also he commented that if I installed the 410s and did not tell them, they could tell through the computer. How does everone handle this problem,, do you remove the chip every time you bring in the car for service? Isn't that a pain in the a...s!


Mark the way to address this is ask the question why are other dealers selling my package off the show room floor, you want to not anger them, but then again you should not be missled, there are members here who have had the dealer install there gears of course the labor is very high, but that may be the route to go. I have sold several chips to dealers here in Florida.



Dennis

[Leadfoot]

You don't need to look at the computer to tell whether the gears have been changed. A test drive is all they'll need. The engine will spin up noticeably faster than before.

Wayne is correct. If the mod is a direct cause of the failure, then they do not have to cover it. If you snap and axle shaft after the 4.10s, then they don't have to cover it. I've heard of dealers voiding warranties for engine failure for having just a K&N filter. The guy eventually convinced them it wasn't the problem and got it covered. I've also heard a rumor someone on a Mustang board posted he blew up his engine with a supercharger. He was going to remove the S/C and return it to the dealer. Ford got his VIN # from his build number he posted and found out who he was and voided his warranty. Its only a rumor though.

I've had my 4.10s in my Cobra for a while. I've taken it to the dealer for hanging idle and the dealer never said anything to me. Some dealers are cool about it, others aren't.

You have to understand the risks you take though when making any mod. Some people have luck, others don't. Dont' be surprised if you have to put up a fight.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Originally posted by Leadfoot
You don't need to look at the computer to tell whether the gears have been changed. A test drive is all they'll need. The engine will spin up noticeably faster than before.

Wayne is correct. If the mod is a direct cause of the failure, then they do not have to cover it. If you snap and axle shaft after the 4.10s, then they don't have to cover it. I've heard of dealers voiding warranties for engine failure for having just a K&N filter. The guy eventually convinced them it wasn't the problem and got it covered. I've also heard a rumor someone on a Mustang board posted he blew up his engine with a supercharger. He was going to remove the S/C and return it to the dealer. Ford got his VIN # from his build number he posted and found out who he was and voided his warranty. Its only a rumor though.

I've had my 4.10s in my Cobra for a while. I've taken it to the dealer for hanging idle and the dealer never said anything to me. Some dealers are cool about it, others aren't.

You have to understand the risks you take though when making any mod. Some people have luck, others don't. Dont' be surprised if you have to put up a fight.


I will tell you what I know for fact I have two freinds here in Jacksonvile one had a 01 GT he installed a ATI turbo charger and the car screamed till he spit out two rods the Ford dealer had me take the kit off they warrantied the motor, another friend I did his 01 Bullit it made 407 at the wheels had a injector go bad and the motor hydro locked and broke a rod, same story took the kit off the warrantied the motor, its just depends on the Dealer, but the more dealers that are flexable the better off every one is if they ever have a issue.


Dennis

[Leadfoot]

I'm just playing devil's advocate. I would hate to have someone read that most of us have had no problems with mods and dealers just to turn around and get burned at a different dealer. Ford watches warranty claims pretty closely. Some dealers may not want to take the risk.

Dennis - Off subject: I would suggest putting your website address link in your sig so lazy people like me don't have to type it in.

Joe

[03 Merc]

I would also note that most of us have dealt with Ford dealers it appears. Dealing with a L-M only dealer, whose customers are usually very different, read Mature :) ,will be a bit different then the average Mustang place. That is why I suggested looking for a SVT dealer or MotorSport dealer who is more mod friendly.

Also be very aware of what the service rep adds in to OASIS the Ford software used for tracking maintenance claims. If any dealer enters your mods all dealers will see those notes after that time.

[VaderSS]

A mod can only void a warranty if it is found to be the fault of a failure of a warranty part and the void is ONLY for that part. Putting 4.10s in will not hurt a tranny, in fact it makes it easier on a tranny.