Need advice on dealer/ESP issue

[jscozz]

Had the torque converter replaced twice on my 2007 Explorer Limited last December. Ford dealer did it once and then there were still issues so they had to replace it again. All seemed fishy to me.

Now I have an issue that just started where it occasionally sounds like you are going over a rumble strip. After their diagnostic, I am now told it is the "Mechantronic" unit. But I am questioning that... could this be torque converter?

 

[polizi212]

Your going to be fighting this uphill! Do you have any proof you brought the truck in for the exact issue! The dealer will say it was a different issue and not the one that you have now that the warranty is expired! If you have proof to substantiate your claims then you have something! Try contacting your consumer protection branch for your state, In my state they are part of the Attorney Generals office. Have documentation ready! If they can not help you are always free to file a small claims case against the dealer, they might feel its cheaper to help you than fight you in court!

I had a fight with Ford some years ago over my 1996 Crown Victoria. The intake manifold broke and they wouldn't warranty it. Yet it was the same manifold as the one on the Mustang and the Police Interceptor and they would warranty them. After a few weeks of fighting them and getting my hands on some Ford documents thanks to a very nice and understanding Tech, I called the Ford Customer service line explained my position explained the document I had and that my next call would be to the State Attorney general if needed. I was nice and polite the entire time, The lady on the phone listened and said she would call me back by the end of the day. 1 hour later she called and said a check was waiting for me at my local Dealer to go pick up and they were sorry for the problems I had! You might not get the same result but I tell you be nice but have evidence and be willing to go the distance! Good Luck

 

[Flag Gibby]

Remember, the dealerships are independently owned so when you call Ford they are acting as a third party assisting you in getting the problem resolved with the dealership in question. That is why in this case they instructed you to try to resolve the issue with the dealership since they have all the documents that may or may not support your case. The dealership does have a third option in terms of eating the repair cost themselves since they are the ones that overlooked it to begin with, but that is one that they will fight tooth and nail to not do and the best that you may get out of them is having a portion of the repair cost covered by them.
Good luck, and like polizi said collect all the supporting information that you can and engage them in a civil way on the matter of repairing the vehicle.

 

[jscozz]

Thanks for the feedback.

Does the symptom really make sense with the cause they gave me? 35-40 mph, coasting, gentle press on gas... 1 out of 5 times I can make it do the rumble strip noise/vibration. Interestingly enough, with overdrive disengaged I cant get it to happen at all. Only with overdrive on (light on dash off). Does this make sense? Can someone tell me if this is a real symptom of a mechatronic issue?

Also, I have another issue with A/C compressor not engaging. They told me it was a refrigerant leak in one of the rear lines, and it would be over $1200 to fix. They said I could charge it and see how long it lasts... I hooked up my charging gauge and a fresh can... it was already around 22 when I hooked it up... I charges it to 35. The compressor still did not kick in. I am afraid they are giving me wrong explanation on this one also. if it were a leak and the low pressure sensor was keeping the compressor form coming on, then a new charge should have kicked it on. Nothing. What else can this be?

I'd really appreciate all advice on these two... I don't feel like I am getting accurate diagnosis' from Ford.