Computer Updates

[dcrichards]

Several posts in the Nest about making sure your Bird has the lastest computer upgrades. I just took my BIrd to Ford dealer for oil change and inspection. Asked if they would check for computer upgrades and the service rep said "We don't do that unless you have a problem. It might cause you a problem". Any opinions????

[MikeB]

Re: Computer Updates

Several posts in the Nest about making sure your Bird has the lastest computer upgrades. I just took my BIrd to Ford dealer for oil change and inspection. Asked if they would check for computer upgrades and the service rep said "We don't do that unless you have a problem. It might cause you a problem". Any opinions????

I'm taking my 2002 for a check of the A/C system and asked if they could do the update. They said, "sure" and it will be done at the same appointment. I am being charged $108 though. They said the car will run better and there was no talk about it causing a problem.??

Update: I logged onto Motorcraft.com and read the Latest Calibration Information on an Excel spreadsheet for the MY '02 Thunderbird. The latest "catchword" for the '02 Thunderbird is HDE3 and when I checked my tear tag for the catchword on my 2002 (under the front plastic fascia that had to be removed to view the tear tag), it was HDE3; exactly the same.

I, therefore, don't need an update or need the PCM flashed. Apparently, with my Thunderbird being produced on September 27, 2002, it was late enough in the production run of the '02 models that there were no further updates on the PCM. Saved myself $108.

[5bird7]

Re: Computer Updates

As long as they do it with the 2002 model year update not the 03to 05 tbird updates, I dont' see how it could cause a problem.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Computer Updates

Julie,
what year update did you have done?

[MidNiteRiders]

Re: Computer Updates

I have a 2002 we bought in fall of 2007. After reading about the updates here, I asked the dealer in Spring of 2008 and was told he didn't think there were updates. I decided not to push it as the car performs perfectly as far as we are concerned. I may change my mind later.
Bottom line is sometimes we know more about things on our cars than these dealers and you may have to get

[Ray]

Re: Computer Updates

I had the update done about a year ago. Cost me about $100, but it was well worth it. My car performs much better than it did before the update.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Computer Updates

If it improves shifting, specifically crummy, slow down shifts it would be well worth it.

I'm pretty skeptical about serious performance increases though concerning power.

The T-Bird, as posted many times and reported in reviews, by virtually anyone who's ever driven the car........it's just never going to WOW anyone with it's power.

Too heavy and a really small V8 are just not the stuff of INSPIRED performance.

In a world where 400HP is now common and even Hundi sedans have better than 300HP.........the T-Bird is best viewed for it comfortable and stylish ride that it is.

Ford didn't see their way to a super charged version of the little 3.9 liter engine..........too bad really. It's hard to imagine it wouldn't have become the "must have" option that could have saved the car from the dwindling sales numbers that killed the car. That mad rush to get one died off pretty quickly after the excitement over the "look" faded and people really started to compare the car to others in it's class.

I'm not sure what it says about me or any of the rest of you all who love the car........but I'm reminded of John Delorean's line from years ago when answering to critics of his new GTO as car with too much engine to appeal to the masses.

"I can sell a young man's car to an old man but I'll can't sell an old man's car to a young man!"

Just looking at the median age of owners in this forum......................I suspect that line is as true today as it ever was.

[dcrichards]

Re: Computer Updates

Update. The Ford dealer who told me not to do a computer upgrade yesterday AM, called me yesterday PM and said I had an AC leak and split boots. Now this is the same dealership that did a complete inspection before selling me a warranty less than 6 months ago. HUMMMMMMMM?????

[V8 Cat]

Re: Computer Updates

I'm not sure what it says about me or any of the rest of you all who love the car........but I'm reminded of John Delorean's line from years ago when answering to critics of his new GTO as car with too much engine to appeal to the masses.
"I can sell a young man's car to an old man but I'll can't sell an old man's car to a young man!"
Just looking at the median age of owners in this forum......................I suspect that line is as true today as it ever was.

Steve,
I remember this Delorean quote. It really resonated with me then when
I was younger. It is one of those things you remember, and it is true.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Computer Updates

I had the NM computer updated. Best thing I did for it. Well, along with the techron treatment. She runs better than ever. Anyone who tells you that you don't need the updates, is dead wrong. But as Dot mentioned, make sure they use the right ones. The 02 is a lot different from the 03-05 updates. The 04, I do myself with the SCT, as she is not exactly stock.

[dcrichards]

Re: Computer Updates

OUTRAGEOUS. Today the dealer tells me I need nearly $5,000 worth of work on my car-AC compressor, boots, front and rear suspension, etc. WHO DO YOU TRUST. I said "Do what is covered under the warranty (about half) and give me a details on what else is needed". I'm getting a second opinon. Remember less than 6 months ago, this car was approved for extended warranty. I"m TICKED, to say the least.

[Ski]

Re: Computer Updates

David, it's time to find a new dealer!

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Computer Updates

Steve,
I remember this Delorean quote. It really resonated with me then when
I was younger. It is one of those things you remember, and it is true.

Yeah, me too.

Ford seems to just keep getting WRONG with the 2 seat T-Bird.

First in the 1950s and now more recently. A "comfortable cruiser" may appeal to a lot of the 40 year old + crowd..........but it's often a tough sell among any of us who demand performance too.

Beats me why Ford didn't see a Super-Charged version of the car as a worth-while effort. Those first '02 buyers who paid those crazy mark-ups were saying pretty clearly they'd have been willing to pay a little more.

I think a car with 350HP-400HP, capable of the 5.0 sec or under 0-60 time would have survived longer than just that first year. Sales numbers that would have justified the continuation of the model weren't there in '03-'05.

I love the car as it is but then again I own several cars.

For the less than total "car nut" buyer a Corvette parked in the same garage probably seems ridiculous.

But I'm hardly alone here.

How many, in this Ford oriented forum, own a V8 Mustang as well as their T-Bird?

Quite a few from what I've seen.

I think Delorean's line is as true today as it ever was.

Ford can be forgiven for letting the T-Bird languish in the 1950s vs a Corvette..........Delorean hadn't uttered that simple truth yet.

Today?

It's just crazy that Ford got this so wrong again.

Especially when you consider the idea that they apply it very successfully when designing and building Mustangs.

Budget priced 6 cylinder models, Very affordable GT V8 models, some specialty models for a little more..........and then the big ticket cars.

I have a neighbor down the street from me. The guy does very well.

In his '60s.......he owns a Super Charged Convertible Mustang that he bought at a local dealer 2 years ago for an insane high price.

Bottom line is there is a Mustang for every budget and taste.

The T-Bird was never that kind of car.

There was not going to be and it wasn't necessary to build a budget version of the car. How-ever..........that 60 year old neighbor of mine?

I just wonder if he wouldn't have bought a Super Charged T-Bird. He's a long time Ford guy and obviously he's still interested in the performance of the cars he buys. These are the well heeled buyers Ford missed when designing this latest version of the T-Bird IMO.

Shame too........because you just know that when sold for full MSRP Ford makes much fatter margins on a car like the T-Bird vs more moderately priced cars. Detroit needs more successes in the higher end cars.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Computer Updates

David, it's time to find a new dealer!

WOW........understanded for sure.

But wildly accurate.


This dealer sounds like a classic example of the modern slang........

........"Stealership"!

[rpatton3]

Re: Computer Updates

Keep us posted on your "PROGRESS" with your sleazy dealer.