Warranty Work

[Vortex]

Well, the warranty expires the end of September so I decided its time to bring her in to the shop for two long nagging problems Ive had with the car. The first is sometimes when idling I can smell gasoline fumes. Its not overpowering but it is there and something isnt right and Ive noticed it since I bought the car. Im going to suggest they look at that fuel tank inlet as Ive read earlier in other posts but Ill let them find the problem. I dont know if it is worse or better depending on the tank level. The second is the buzzing subwoffer/package tray issue. Im hesitant to let the dealer try to fix this as Im afraid they will do more damage than good rooting around in the interior but what the heck, Ill never know until they try to fix it. This is the first time my car has been in the shop for anything since I have owned it and even though it is a low milage car (10,000 right now) Id like it fixed before the warranty expires. Guess after three years one warranty visit isnt too bad.

[2003 MIB]

Where are you gonna go?

[fastblackmerc]

There are fixes you can do for the subwoofer issue... search......

[gilby04]

Coincidentally, I also had a low pitched buzzing/vibration sound coming from the package tray area.
In searching the trunk for the source of the nagging problem, I found a crack in the plastic bracketry that holds the subwoofer to the underside of the package tray.
Dealers do not typically inventory the bracketry, so unfortunately, it took 2 trips to resolve the problem.
Hopefully, your fix will be as simple as mine was.

[magindat]

Further, if it;s not a broke something, a piece of 1/2" foam (from a local fabric shop) under the rear deck and cut for all the holes, seatbelts, etc. quiets vibrations caused by the woofer.

[rumble]

Where are you gonna go?

Yeah, my question too...............

[Professor]

Anyone bought one of those aftermarket bumper to bumper extended warranties.

[hdwrenchtx]

Anyone bought one of those aftermarket bumper to bumper extended warranties.

no. last time i thought i had a "bumper to bumper" warranty, whatever broke was specifically excluded in the fine print.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

LOL yeah, I bought one of the "Genuine" Ford ESP warranties. Extracare, $0 deductible, etc. It was expensive. Not worth it, canceled. I'd rather do all the work myself and give myself a headache, than the even larger and more expensive headaches the dealer can cause. No thank you.

[RCSignals]

In the early days often the sub woofer buzzing turned out to be a piece of foam that had fallen onto the speaker.

[Bradley G]

With the ultra low mileage you use,an ESP may not be the route to take. I have already benefited from my ESP, to the point where I would like to extend the ESP another year and maybe 20-25K mi. I doubt Ford would consider extending my ESP warranty,based on the amount they have paid on my behalf.

[larryo340]

With the ultra low mileage you use,an ESP may not be the route to take. I have already benefited from my ESP, to the point where I would like to extend the ESP another year and maybe 20-25K mi. I doubt Ford would consider extending my ESP warranty,based on the amount they have paid on my behalf.
FORD won't extend an ESP plan period even if they paid out nothing on your car.


LOL yeah, I bought one of the "Genuine" Ford ESP warranties. Extracare, $0 deductible, etc. It was expensive. Not worth it, canceled. I'd rather do all the work myself and give myself a headache, than the even larger and more expensive headaches the dealer can cause. No thank you.
Extracare was only a step above powertrain, if you were given the option to buy ESP premiumcare you would have been in much better position. It is as close the the 3/36 as you could get. Just about only normal wear items were not covered.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Extracare was only a step above powertrain

You are incorrect. Extracare is 2 steps above powertrain. Look it up (I did). The difference between Extracare and premium care (one step up) was not much. It basically added the "high tech" (computer and electronics) coverage. Anything else that was not an electrical problem had the same coverage. I learned my lesson. Buy a car w/ a 100k factory base warranty next time, if I really feel the need for the warranty protection. Otherwise it's not worth my time and $$ playing games with an extended warranty that may vey well not cover my repair if the ESP inspector doesn't agree to reimburse me.

But I didn't buy this car because I thought it would be reliable or because it had good warranty coverage, I bought it because it's unusual and fun. LOL so I knew what I was getting myself into.


<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP PremiumCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/premiumCare.cfm) provides the ultimate Ford extended warranty coverage. The plan is so complete that we only talk about what is not covered. It's for those that want the advantages of an ESP with maximum component protection and high-tech coverage.





</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP ExtraCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/extraCare.cfm) provides the additional component coverage to the BaseCare plan and includes many high-tech items. If you want the advantages of a Ford extended warranty and the security of more comprehensive protection, this is the plan for you.





</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP BaseCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/baseCare.cfm)is the next step up from the Ford ESP PowertrainCare, offering a broader range of component protection. It's for those that want a basic, yet thorough Ford extended warranty.





</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP PowertrainCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/powertrainCare.cfm) is the foundation for all new vehicle component plans. If you want the advantages of a Ford extended warranty but only want major mechanical component protection due to budget or other reasons, this is the plan for you.





</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Vortex]

Well, just dropped it off at Regency in Mesquite and as I was getting my ride back in the courtesy van we get rear-ended on Belt Line! Luckily nobody hurt, amazingly no real body damage to either car except the kid who hit us his airbags popped and broke his windshield. A pretty good smack too. Anyway, I made the suggestion to the service writer about maybe just putting some foam under the package tray from underneath after removing the subwoofer. We shall see... I did notice another MM there in back of the service department, couldnt tell if it was a customer or employee car. Ill ask when I go back to get my car.

[larryo340]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=560 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #66ccff 1px solid" align=middle width=532>FORD ESP EXTRACARE INFORMATION </TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #66ccff 1px solid" vAlign=top width=14 background=resources/images/plans_border_right.gif>http://www.fordwarrantys.com/resources/images/plans_border_top_right.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-LEFT: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid">
FEATURES & BENEFITS
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid"></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-LEFT: #66ccff 1px solid"></TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=532 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>• Covered Components</TD><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>113</TD></TR><TR><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>• Standard Deductible</TD><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>$100 ($0, $50 and $</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=560 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #66ccff 1px solid" align=middle width=532>FORD ESP PREMIUMCARE INFORMATION </TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #66ccff 1px solid" vAlign=top width=14 background=resources/images/plans_border_right.gif>http://www.fordwarrantys.com/resources/images/plans_border_top_right.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-LEFT: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid">
FEATURES & BENEFITS
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #66ccff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid"></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-LEFT: #66ccff 1px solid"></TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=532 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>• Covered Components</TD><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>500</TD></TR><TR><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>• Standard Deductible</TD><TD class=featuresAndBenefits>$100 ($0, $50 and $200 deductible options available)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I guess your right, it only has 387 more parts that are covered. Hell what do I know, I only worked with these warranties in FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY service for 18 years.:rolleyes:



You are incorrect. Extracare is 2 steps above powertrain. Look it up (I did). The difference between Extracare and premium care (one step up) was not much. It basically added the "high tech" (computer and electronics) coverage. Anything else that was not an electrical problem had the same coverage. I learned my lesson. Buy a car w/ a 100k factory base warranty next time, if I really feel the need for the warranty protection. Otherwise it's not worth my time and $$ playing games with an extended warranty that may vey well not cover my repair if the ESP inspector doesn't agree to reimburse me.

But I didn't buy this car because I thought it would be reliable or because it had good warranty coverage, I bought it because it's unusual and fun. LOL so I knew what I was getting myself into.


<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP PremiumCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/premiumCare.cfm) provides the ultimate Ford extended warranty coverage. The plan is so complete that we only talk about what is not covered. It's for those that want the advantages of an ESP with maximum component protection and high-tech coverage.







</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP ExtraCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/extraCare.cfm) provides the additional component coverage to the BaseCare plan and includes many high-tech items. If you want the advantages of a Ford extended warranty and the security of more comprehensive protection, this is the plan for you.







</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP BaseCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/baseCare.cfm)is the next step up from the Ford ESP PowertrainCare, offering a broader range of component protection. It's for those that want a basic, yet thorough Ford extended warranty.







</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=grayBackground style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #999999 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999999 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=620><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Ford ESP PowertrainCare (http://www.fordwarrantys.com/powertrainCare.cfm) is the foundation for all new vehicle component plans. If you want the advantages of a Ford extended warranty but only want major mechanical component protection due to budget or other reasons, this is the plan for you.







</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Alright, fair enough on the extra "high tech" parts covered. I don't have the warranty headache anymore so I don't have to worry about it anyhow.

[larryo340]

no problem, just to be clear,it wasn't meant to be insulting. I just wanted the facts to be out there.
p.s.
any new news on your rear suspension?

[duhtroll]

OK, this seems to be the thread to bring this up.

I just sent mine in (for the same reason - warranty up in Feb) for a couple of different squeaks that I couldn't find or didn't want to disassemble the seat to find (it's why I bought the premium care).

I get a smiling estimate of $7xx.xx for the repairs from the local dealer. Kinda took the wind out of his sails when I reminded him of the premium care. Now he tells me that only one of the three parts involved in the squeaking is covered by said warranty.

The passenger seat squeaks, but only over bumps when a person is riding there. Since much of my driving is just myself or me driving with my daughter in the rear child seat, it is only annoying about once per week when I have a front passenger.

So they tell me the parts involved are:

1) Seat frame - covered under Ford Premium Care
2) Springs - not covered but only like $5
3) Foam seat pad that houses the airbag occupancy sensor - not covered and over $500 part.

I tell them to replace the frame and the springs and skip the pad thinking it is just the dealership trying to get me to pay for a high dollar part (and the pad is not making the squeak I am hearing)

My question is - who here can help me figure out just how much they are trying to screw me? That I am being screwed is a given, but right now I'm only in for the parts and labor on the springs until I go in and find a new shell game. If I had to guess I'd say the pad has nothing to do with it and it's only a new "muffler belt" or "blinker fluid" they are trying to sell me.

Can anyone tell me the labor involved (by the dealer tech labor manual, whatever it's called - I don't have it) in doing these things so I know when I go in on Tuesday? I'll look at my warranty to see if the seat parts are mentioned, but I'm not expecting to find answers there.

Thanks

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I purchased 2 air bags and one solenoid (yeah I try to save money and then end up causing more problems. I should have bought 2 solenoids but I am too dumb!).

I am going to start swapping parts around in the rear susp. as soon as everything comes in, and keep checking the slant in the rear ride height. A very small deviance in the height of an uninflated air bag can probably become a pretty big difference in inflated height (I mean it's just a plastic foot and cap with the rubber bladder crimped in)? At least this is the angle I am currently investigating. With 4 air bags I should be able to come up with 2 that are close to the same inflated height. It is also possible that I have a sticky solenoid, since the driver's side is the low side when the car is running, but is also the high side once the car is off and it vents. It may not be filling or venting completely. Who knows though, once I start swapping parts around hopefully I'll figure it out. Otherwise there are always coil springs to swap to, but I would prefer to keep the load leveling. If this were a 1/4" I wouldn't care, but at 3/4" difference (running) it makes the car look crappily built, and it is also affecting the alignment angles.

[larryo340]

I don't have access to factory labor times since I am no longer working with FORD, but labor to replace lower seat frame shouldn't be more than about 1-1/12 hours. Springs for $5 sounds too cheap, but they should be replaced with the frame claimed as the failed part damaging the springs.
The foam seat pad I agree that it shouldn't make noise. I suspect they might be trying to cover thier a$$ incase the tech damages the seat sensor. It can be done without foam if the tech is careful.
FORD will only cover the seat sensor if it was the failed part which it obviously is not.(It should be covered, but with an air bag concern only)

I hope this helps




So they tell me the parts involved are:

1) Seat frame - covered under Ford Premium Care
2) Springs - not covered but only like $5
3) Foam seat pad that houses the airbag occupancy sensor - not covered and over $500 part.

I tell them to replace the frame and the springs and skip the pad thinking it is just the dealership trying to get me to pay for a high dollar part (and the pad is not making the squeak I am hearing)

My question is - who here can help me figure out just how much they are trying to screw me? That I am being screwed is a given, but right now I'm only in for the parts and labor on the springs until I go in and find a new shell game. If I had to guess I'd say the pad has nothing to do with it and it's only a new "muffler belt" or "blinker fluid" they are trying to sell me.

Can anyone tell me the labor involved (by the dealer tech labor manual, whatever it's called - I don't have it) in doing these things so I know when I go in on Tuesday? I'll look at my warranty to see if the seat parts are mentioned, but I'm not expecting to find answers there.

Thanks