HELP!!!....Cops problem?

[CVCashmere]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Hi fans:

Any chance someone has the actual letter and can scan it in and post it? I would like to keep a copy in my glove box too.

thanks

CVCashmere

Mine was mailed to me directly from Ford last June.

The line that may explain why you have or have not received the letter is on the backside.

"If you no longer own this vehicle, and have an address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner.

You received this notice because our records, which are based primarily on state registration and Title Data, indicate that you are the current owner. As soon as we receive updated state registration data, we will revise our records"

I take this to explain why some folks didn't receive their own copy. If you're the second owner and Ford doesn't have you as the current owner as of the time they sent the letters out......then your letter no doubt went to the last owner of the car.

This DOES NOT mean you aren't covered.

The letter clearly states this is completely transferable. Rest assured.......your car presents the problem and you are good to go.

That said.......be forewarned. Ford only covers the diagnosis if there is a bad coil.......if something else is behind the problem you get stuck with the bill for the diagnosis.

The relevant program numbers here are:

07M07 and 07N09

The first is for the coils and the second is some upgrading of gaskets and windshield wiper motor bracket seal.

I wouldn't worry much about having or not having the letter on hand. Not in these days of computerized record keeping. You bring the car in with a miss it's covered ..... they will find the program for you.

[SixPac]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16141&d=1184682258

Here it tis.

[justjon]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Merlot Blue
Thank you for a rational and useful treatsie on 2002 cop problem/solution. You made me feel much better for buying the Tbird I could afford, albeit, less powerful, CD button radio, ugly instruments, no homelink, no V8 symbol, but ... cool yet unstorable tonneau cover and pretty wheels.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Merlot Blue
Thank you for a rational and useful treatsie on 2002 cop problem/solution. You made me feel much better for buying the Tbird I could afford, albeit, less powerful, CD button radio, ugly instruments, no homelink, no V8 symbol, but ... cool yet unstorable tonneau cover and pretty wheels.

Hey, I understand where you are coming from. Believe me.

I bought both of the cars second hand.......when I first became aware of the problem and then read all the posts in this very forum.......and some of the $$$$$$$$ spent on the repair my first thought was, "OMG!! Is there something unique to the R&R of these coils I've never heard of?"

Turns out, "NOPE!"

It's just that the car seems to be owned by a lot of folks who really don't want to do their own maintenance. For them this problem really does SUCK!! It can obviously get expensive to have a "pro" take care of it especially if it happens more than once.

Good news is........ if you can change spark plugs and wires or replace a rocker cover gasket on any other car fixing this problem is well within your abilities.

It's just a damn pain to know you probably will have to do it every now and then when on most other cars.......it's not an issue.


This is JUST the sort of nagging problem that should NOT happen.......that has Detroit's reputation for reliability so deep in the tank these days.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

If you are not getting a code, simply remove the COP covers, take out the COPs and reinstall them. Take note as to which COP wells have oil and/or water. If there is no water and/or oil, after placing them back you will probably get a code.

Any theory as to why a bad one will show a code if I do that?

Believe me I'd love to find a sure fire way to isolate the offending coil without replacing 'em 4 at a time.

ROCK AUTO is far cheaper than my local Ford parts counter but it's not as if they're giving 'em away.

[ArgonV]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

MerlotBlue, the theory is that the electronic resistance changes after pulling them off. So much so this causes the computer to finally register something is indeed wrong. After pulling them off, I would wipe them down with a rag as well as clean out the offending COP well of oil and/or water. Be sure to keep track of what COP went into what COP well. If you are doing all of this on a clear sunny day, just leave the COP covers off after you've placed the COPs back in the car. Saves you the work of taking them back off again after a code registers. Also, BWD COPs have a lifetime warranty and fit under the COP covers perfectly! I would go with them, they are about $45ish per COP (That includes the boot and spring - the whole unit). That way when one does go out, you can get them to fit the bill of the new part! Just have a few spares handy while you wait on a replacement. That way you don't have to go without your car.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

OK!......... my mini-dilemma is over......fingers crossed and hoping for many miles before having to do this again.

Got the car back at noon today and it runs GREAT again.

Yes, after a suitable warm up of about 7-8 miles on the way home, I pushed it a bit and found no evidence of any problem what-so-ever.


From the service statement:


C/S RUNNING ROUGH-NO LIGHTS ON
TEST AND RETRIEVE MODE 6 DATA. CYLINDER #8
HAS .02% MISFIRE- REMOVE COIL COVERS AND
REMOVE CYLINDER #8 COIL. NO OIL OR WATER
PRESENT. PERFORM STRESS TEST ON COP #8 FAILS
R&R COP PER 07M07 AND RECHECK-ALL OK AT THIS
TIME
Warranty Claim Repair Type:R1-02

07M07B T89 9

2W4z12029B (COIL ASY- IGN) 1
SP468 (SPARK PLUG) 1


.......and of course the best part at the bottom:

Total: $0.00

Looks like I have a new spark plug and coil in #8 and from what I read, never got to talk to the mechanic, it looks like he did recheck one last time after the repair to be sure all 8 were firing properly.........


...........at this time.

That's it folks the diary of my story from Wednesday when I first noticed it........Friday when I dropped it off and the diagnosis confirmed it........and finally today when, after waiting on parts, I got the car back.

For local folks in my area I can give a big thumbs up for Granite Ford.

While I was disappointed they didn't have quicker access to a coil and spark plug .......... I can easily ignore that in consideration of the fact they were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the situation.

They did all they said they would and they did it when and as they said they would.

In today's world full of sketchy, dealership service dept horror stories..... that establishes Granite Ford in Rochester as one of the GOOD GUYS in my book!

Now if it would just stop raining here in the North-east!

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

MerlotBlue, the theory is that the electronic resistance changes after pulling them off. So much so this causes the computer to finally register something is indeed wrong. After pulling them off, I would wipe them down with a rag as well as clean out the offending COP well of oil and/or water. Be sure to keep track of what COP went into what COP well. If you are doing all of this on a clear sunny day, just leave the COP covers off after you've placed the COPs back in the car. Saves you the work of taking them back off again after a code registers. Also, BWD COPs have a lifetime warranty and fit under the COP covers perfectly! I would go with them, they are about $45ish per COP (That includes the boot and spring - the whole unit). That way when one does go out, you can get them to fit the bill of the new part! Just have a few spares handy while you wait on a replacement. That way you don't have to go without your car.

Thanks Jason, sounds resonable........I'll certainly give that a try when the time comes. A little more time under the hood is well worth avoiding replacing still good coils.

[Bird_Watcher]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

I'm glad that everything turned out well for you MerlotBlue.

[Icebluebird]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

BWD???? What and Who Sells them?

Hows that mod you are working on coming??

Thanks

[ArgonV]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

I find my BWD COPs at O'Reilly's Auto Parts.

The mod progress has stalled until I get some more time and cash.

[Welker]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

A question for all of you who know a lot about COPs:

At 70k miles I feel lucky not to have any kind of serious problem with the car.....yesterday, the little wrench light came on(limp mode) while the car was idling....I turned it off and restarted and the light went out.....end of story. Does anybody think this is a harbinger of things to come or just one of the mysterious computer glitches we have all come to know and love. Any info is welcome.

[joe166]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Could be anything. Could be nothing. Might be as little as the gas cap not being seated properly or the computer thinking that the gas cap was not seated properly.

I don't think you can draw any conclusions from this incident. For every person who will tell you this happened just before XXX happened, there would probably be 10 people that this happened to that forgot all about it because nothing happened.

[bronzebird]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Ned:

My '05 has now experienced four COPS failures and not once has any wrench light been in evidence.

When it happens (I hope it doesn't), you will feel it hunt and surge under light load and then it gets worse.

Bronzebird

[ArgonV]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Ned, sounds like a faulty sensor reading probably from a dirty MAF or an o2 sensor that glitched. It happens. Do you have a CAI installed in your T-Bird?