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So I got my starter replaced on April 11th, 2002. Then I got the starter replaced again on May 6th, 2002. THen I got a battery for what I thought was another bad starter on June 4th. Didn't fix it. I dropped the car off AGAIN (at the same dealership) and they removed the starter, tested it and it was fine. Then they put it back on and it didn't start. Gee... solenoid maybe? Nope, the car "clicks" when you turn the key. Battery is brand new.
As it turns out, there was a loose stud on the solenoid and it was arcing against another piece of metal somewhere. Tightened the bolt and voila! It starts. I wonder why they didn't notice that the other two times it was in the shop for the same problem.
Oh well, at least I got to drive a nice '02 Toyota Corolla rental car around for a couple days. Ha Ha!
Black/Beige '99 SVT Build #482. Shaved emblems & door dingers
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Joined: Jun 2000
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This is a dealer service dept issue, not a Ford Co. problem.
2000 SE fleet, V6, ATX, ABS, no spoiler, T-Green/tan. Built 01/2000 in MO.
Added 12 spoke factory SE rims, K&N. Biggest mod: ESP Plan!
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Well, it is Ford's problem in a way. A Ford dealer and mechanic are representing Ford, their products and services up to a point. If any monkey can work in a Ford dealer service dept, and they suck, it doesnt speak well for training, and Ford, in the sake of their reputation, maybe should make sure the technicians are properly trained.
Also, One of the reasons Ford technicians suck is that they are always terribly busy, fixing all the shiat that shouldnt happen in the first place,,
He's chaaarging!!!...(add scottish accent)...
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This story is just one of many.. from one of many Ford svc dpts
2k silver svt #1721
1. custom stereo
2. KKM induction kit
3. eibach springs
4. sho shop y
5. custom catback
6. A6 2-way side markers (clear)
7. Pro-M 75mm
8. Illuminated moonroof switch
9. removed door ding guards
10. more to come..
"Ignorance breeds stupidity.."
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If it was a Ford service department, then why did they loan you a Toyota?
Matthew
98.5 Contour SE V6
It has spent 1.5 years under the wrong identity ;-)
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Some Ford dealers use rental car companies for there loaner fleet. I drove a Dodge when I had my dash replaced. And yes it is a Ford problem! To many tales of bad service on this web site about poor service from the dealers. It reflects badly on Ford making it a Ford problem!
Rice is just a matter of money. How fast do you wanna look!
99 Contour Sport SE MTX
KKM filter, B&M shifter
No res, BAT kit, Aussie Bar
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I can't stand the Ford dealership that I go too...
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If customers blame Ford rather than the dealer, that's a Ford problem.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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It's interesting the folks that take the side of Ford Motor Co. and defend them to the end. Bad service is bad service. I should probably go to another dealership, but this one is SVT "certified" and all the repair history of the car has been completed here. They are very nice guys, very patient, very willing to "make it right", but you're right. They're swamped. I dropped my car off this last time at 7:45AM and already there was a line of 7 cars outside the bay entrance. What's worse, is most of them were new (new SVT Cobra, new Ranger Splash, newish Lincoln Mk8. I talked to a couple of these guys as we were waiting to be checked in, and an alarming number of them were there for what would end up being major warranty work. Left front brake caliper dragging (pulls hard to left under braking), mysterious clacking noise from engine bay (we SVT owners know what that is), broken power steering, etc. Maybe this is standard-issue stuff for most manufacturers. My last two cars were a Nissan Maxima and a Honda civic, respectively. I drove both of them roughly 70,000 miles, changed the oil every 15-20K and never had a problem other than getting a CD stuck in the head unit on my Maxima, and worn rear wheel bearings on the Civic. Lucky? Maybe.
I love my Ford, I enjoy the hell out of it. I'm just beginning to realize that it WILL break more often than a jap car, and the level of service I should expect at the dealership WILL be sub-par. It's unfortunate, but true. Sorry if I hurt any of you guys' feelings... it's nothing personal.
Having said that, my next car will either be the new GM LS1 sedan (from Aussie), an SVT Cobra (new supercharged one) or a C5 'vette. So these experiences haven't scared me away from American cars. The car/dollar ratio is what makes American cars so attractive. Yeah, I expect to get a little less reliability out of a 340hp American car than I would out of a 340HP Infiniti, but then again, it's tens of thousands of dollars cheaper.
Black/Beige '99 SVT Build #482. Shaved emblems & door dingers
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Oh, and the Corolla they issued was courtesy of Enterprise rent-a-car. They take care of the loaners for this particular Ford dealership.
Black/Beige '99 SVT Build #482. Shaved emblems & door dingers
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