Back from the dealer after 15 days

[Mark McQuaide]

Man, did it ever feel good to sink into that leather seat after the rental car experience for the last two weeks. The "service advisor" could hardly be bothered to keep me up to date and it was hell just trying to get someone on the phone.

Anyway, here's what I brought it in for and that they did:

Uneven tire wear -- dealer performed a free front end alignment, I told them to use the 18" adapter and Marauder specs (thanks to the board for that). This dealer normally charges for alignment after 10,000 miles. Ford's response to covering the tires: Get Bent. We'll see what the alignment did. The front end feels "looser".

Fuel gauge reads 7/8 when full -- they replaced the sender, cost $245.75, covered under warranty. Filled it up on the way home ($1.99/gal!) and it is fixed.

Airbag light on: Replaced the sensor in the passenger seat, which required sending the seat to an upholstry shop. Didn't help so they replaced the control module. Cost $819.75, covered under warranty.

Tranny sticks in 3rd, need to nudge toward neutral to get it to drop into OD: They said that's "as design" (service department speak for "Get Bent").

Overall I want to find a better dealer that at least pretends to give a *****. I'm going to pursue BFG on the tires.

Did I mention how good it felt to get behind the wheel? Aaaaahhhhhhh.....

[Logan]

Originally posted by Mark McQuaide
Fuel gauge reads 7/8 when full -- they replaced the sender, cost $245.75, covered under warranty. Filled it up on the way home ($1.99/gal!) and it is fixed.


Mine does this too... Guess I'll go get it fixed at some point...

[LincMercLover]

My shifter does that too... I'll know when I'm going to "play," so I tap OD off, then click down to first. As I go through the gears (like getting on the highway), I'll have to go into N and back into D to get the OD to kick in... Too scared to take it in to a dealer for this cause I've had my cousel pretty much replaced twice!

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by Mark McQuaide

Tranny sticks in 3rd, need to nudge toward neutral to get it to drop into OD: They said that's "as design" (service department speak for "Get Bent").

My dealer speaks the same way?:help: !!!:mad2: :alone:


Did I mention how good it felt to get behind the wheel? Aaaaahhhhhhh..... [/B]

Never thought you miss it that much:D :D

Good luck, keep us posted.

[mtnh]

That OD enable shifter movement is a classic symptom of needing a shift cable adjustment. I brought mine in for this, and they looked at me oddly when I told them the cause and solution, as recommended by one of the engineers responsible for the car's build. I had low confidence, but, wonder upon wonders, they nailed it correctly on the first try. Made a small trip from NH to Cooperstown, NY, around 270 miles each way. drove it ther for a week, never saw the problem again.

You may want to try explaining that to them again. If someone would extract the adjustment procedure and post it, maybe a few of us could do the adjustment and not have to give up our cars for a day in the process!

Mike

[MN6]

I had taken mine back (about 9 month's ago) for the shift problem, didn't even have to instruct them on what needed to be done, they also nailed it first try, no problems since. They also did my gears and TC, extremely happy with the Dealer and the Tech. Also have the front tire wear issues, I will say say after taking a drive in a brand new one, mine definately feels spot on with the steering, which leads me to believe that the camber/alignment is off on mine and will get loose if it is corrected. For now just waiting for the right time to get it fixed. I will live with the tire wear for the fall..

[MMM2003]

Check out this thread. I received great help from Joe. He is a SM at L/M. He even send me the page from the Dealer MM Service Manual. Email me with your contact info, if you would like a copy.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=49930#post49930

[Thomas C Potter]

Not sure what MMM2003's old post was implying, but here is the SHIFTER ADJUSTMENT proceudre;

Raise car, engine off, put in Drive, using an 18mm box wrench (with vice grips/ adj wrech/ or proper open end wrench to hold stud) loosen 18mm nut, center the trans linkage in the Drive detent, center the cable end in its 'play/travel' , retorque 18mm nut.

Mine was misadjusted for 4 months, finally got around to it. Feels just right.

TP

[MERCMAN]

Hell, the dealer replaced the entire console in mine!! works fine now!!

[MMM2003]

I received several email and PM about the SM page on adjusting the shifter linkage. I posted a picture of it the Gallery. Here is a link to the service manual page (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php?photo=618).
Email me, if you want a better copy (PDF) of that page.
(Thanks to j-tayl76, who originally supplied this page and how to fix it)

To clarify what my problem was, you can read up on this thread.

slipping tranny (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3917&highlight=slipping+tranny)

To Tom: - I don't want to crawl under my car and wrench on it, as long as it is under warranty. I also had my car in twice to get this fixed and they haven't been able to do so. Next time I will take this page and the procedure to my Dealer.

[67435animal]

Tranny sticks in 3rd, need to nudge toward neutral to get it to drop into OD: They said that's "as design" (service department speak for "Get Bent").

I had this problem and simply adjusted the shifter linkage. Took five minutes. Now everything works as I know it should.

I may have been lucky as I used logic and experience; I don't have a service manual (yet).

Bob

[Mad1]

Originally posted by MMM2003
(Thanks to j-tayl76, who originally supplied this page and how to fix it)


About two weeks ago, I actually went to Joe's (J-Tayl76) dealership about an hour north of Nashville to have my MM's linkage adjusted (after an unsuccessful visit to my local dealer, despite telling them about the adjustment instructions).

Joe is a friendly, knowledgeable Service Manager, who also is a MM owner. The linkage adjustment is very slight and easily done on a lift or blocks. Apparently if the cable is misaligned, it can cause the computer to think the tranny isn't in the proper place and thus will not allow it to shift into OD or in some cases reverse.

I can happily say I haven't had any problems with my MM shifting improperly since his guys worked on it.

Mad1

[bigslim]

My airbag light comes on too. If I hit hard bumps are brake too hard it comes on and stays on for about a day or two. I work at Ford and this is a problem for many of Ford's different models. I haven't taken it in because I don't want to leave my baby.

[sailsmen]

I had the same airbag lite. Dealer fixed per TSB. Replaced sensor and connector on passenger seat.

I don't know what TSB they were referring to.

[EbonyMarauder03]

Hey Mark what dealer did you go to? I live in SE Pa. Bought my car at Fiore L/M and I get it fixed at Magarity Ford where I work. The shifter thing is a bad bushing in the linkage. Mine wouldn't let reverse happen and would slip into neutral from Drive. I've also had the Driver Side Fog light replaced, Passenger side Parking Lamp replaced and on Thursday both, that's right both, Headlights replaced. I know they changed the design of them from the early style. Looks like you have to remove the lamps to replace the bulbs with the new style, like the old ones were easy at all.

[marchyde]

There must be something about 15 days. I will pickup my MM in the AM from the dealership after 15 daus. From what I can find out so far, new computer, several transmition adjustments, fuel pump & sensor and they are still not sure if it is fixed yet. They want me to drive it for a while to see what I think. With only 3K miles, I think I want it fixed right. The dealer is good and has not stoped working on it but even they admit to not having any exp on the MM. I guess I will give it a try and look on the bright side, atleast I have a dealer that won't give up.

[Mark McQuaide]

Winner Ford L/M, Newark, DE. My lights have been fine so far with the exception of the corner light busted out by the deer :mad2:


Originally posted by EbonyMarauder03
Hey Mark what dealer did you go to? I live in SE Pa. Bought my car at Fiore L/M and I get it fixed at Magarity Ford where I work. The shifter thing is a bad bushing in the linkage. Mine wouldn't let reverse happen and would slip into neutral from Drive. I've also had the Driver Side Fog light replaced, Passenger side Parking Lamp replaced and on Thursday both, that's right both, Headlights replaced. I know they changed the design of them from the early style. Looks like you have to remove the lamps to replace the bulbs with the new style, like the old ones were easy at all.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by marchyde
at least I have a dealer that won't give up.


Sometimes that's the best you can hope for...they may not get it right the first time, but it's WAY more important that they're at least trying to make you happy...