pcm problem

[Rondor]

Re: pcm problem

My original post above and my feelings. I was answered that Ford did push the Bird when it came out and they soon forgot about it IMO.The cars are a low production vehicle so it easy to let it go to the wayside.Ford was busy selling every other model in much bigger numbers.Soon people may have to buy a donor car.When you think about it the Bird's have many parts that cannot be swapped with other Ford models they are exclusive to the T-Bird (poor engineering IMO)

Poor engineering? mabe, but if they were as common as doorknobs nobody would want one

[bada]

Re: pcm problem

How about these folks?

http://www.autocomputersystems.com/?...FUpN4AodZEyzqQ

Look at my post #s 93, #103 & #104

[snowbird]

Re: pcm problem

George switched to electronic ignition on our 57 so he doesn't have to keep maintaining points and condenser on a regular basis. Last "pertronix" set up lasted 15 years before it needed replacing.

Have to agree with that Dot, I put a "pertronix igniter" in our '66 conv. also when they first came out. Have not looked at it since. Still going strong. Our '58 still has the points and condenser in it but then, have only put 100 miles on it so far. If I start to drive it more it will get an 'igniter'.

btw, if anyone wants a '55 to '57, here is one coming up on the block

http://content.mecum.com/vo/?FileID=...ailID=16227123

[ssalkin]

Re: pcm problem

As the person who started this thread, I can assure you that the only place you are going to get a pcm for this car is the Ford dealer. You will not get a loaner car and you are at their mercy.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: pcm problem

Have to agree with that Dot, I put a "pertronix igniter" in our '66 conv. also when they first came out. Have not looked at it since. Still going strong. Our '58 still has the points and condenser in it but then, have only put 100 miles on it so far. If I start to drive it more it will get an 'igniter'.

btw, if anyone wants a '55 to '57, here is one coming up on the block

http://content.mecum.com/vo/?FileID=...ailID=16227123

If you want that one bring a wheelbarrow full of money. I would say you
could buy ten retro birds for what that one is going to go for. That would
be one driver and nine spare PCM's.

[04birdman]

Re: pcm problem

As the person who started this thread, I can assure you that the only place you are going to get a pcm for this car is the Ford dealer. You will not get a loaner car and you are at their mercy.

i belive this is probly true......no one has come up with a real alternative...still have no idea if the LS or jag will work or if an aftermarket will work? the best recourse is to order the part thru your state atty. generals office and the EPA

[ssalkin]

Re: pcm problem

You got it, that's how I got it done. After fighting with Ford for weeks and weeks and getting the standard it could take up to 12 months and you can not have a loaner vehicle, the EPA somehow had a pcm at the dealership in two days. Ford customer service was useless. I own three other Ford products and will never buy a Ford product again.

[bada]

Re: pcm problem

You got it, that's how I got it done. After fighting with Ford for weeks and weeks and getting the standard it could take up to 12 months and you can not have a loaner vehicle, the EPA somehow had a pcm at the dealership in two days. Ford customer service was useless. I own three other Ford products and will never buy a Ford product again.

Sorry for all your troubles. Can you list the phone # that you finally used to get some results. Just in case any of us other owners, need the same assistance. Is it direct to the EPA?

[ssalkin]

Re: pcm problem

Start with your local EPA office and move on up

[Ediron]

Re: pcm problem

Poor engineering? mabe, but if they were as common as doorknobs nobody would want one

and that's why were having a problem finding parts.

[Lindy]

Re: pcm problem

I own three other Ford products and will never buy a Ford product again.

Ouch! Ford is the only true-blue and solvent auto-maker in America. But in the final analysis, it is the customer who will prove them, & keep 'em on their toes. The customer ought to demand good products and services.

[5bird7]

Re: pcm problem

engineering is fine, it's the workmanship on the parts, however minute, that is not.

[ssalkin]

Re: pcm problem

What the problem goes back to is relying on getting parts from out of country. Too bad there are so many foreign parts in american made cars.

engineering is fine, it's the workmanship on the parts, however minute, that is not.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: pcm problem

The histeria is getting a little wild around here and I'll be glad to take all of these unreliable & unrepairable T-birds that I can afford off of your hands for say ..... $5000.00 each.

It is a testament to the effectiveness of TBN to represent retrobird owners that we know of 2 or 3 of the 9 units on national backorder since only about 7000 members have registered here over the past 9 years (some of which don't own retrobirds and others who are not the original owners) compared to the 68,098 cars built.

The key numbers here are 9 of 68,098. Evidently, only 0.013% of these cars are out of commission today because of the part being backordered, so 99.987% do not require a new PCM today. I'm not much of a gambler, as those that were at Hot Springs can attest to, but I like those odds and to quote PaulD, I can "live with it". (Sorry Paul, couldn't resist) Lots of people gamble money/other assets every day with way worse odds than that.

I'm cerainly not trying to trivialize this issue at the expense of those with the problem. It is a shame that the unavailable part is necessary for the car to function. It is a bummer for those that need one and if I were one of them, I'd be just as upset as they are. It does seem unusual that such a vital part is not available from Ford, but in reality we do not know how many other vehicles of various makes and models are idle because of similar issues with a vital part. Even though it is not a big problem in the big picture for Ford, I'm willing to bet they are working to make the part available ASAP, because they know a lot of T-bird owners are loyal Ford buyers.

My advise to those with the problem is to be persistent that the dealer supply transportation the entire time while your car is immobile and take it all the way up the Ford food chain if that is not happening.

My advise to those without the problem is relax, because odds are way in our favor that we won't have this problem.

Your post really does bring this into perspective.

Sooooo.....here's a thought.

What about all those "TOTALED" cars across the country?

We have a thread dedicated to showing pictures of the SMASHED, CRASHED and just not worth fixing cars.

These smashed cars come in all different colors and varying degrees of damage but I'll wager virtually all but the flood damaged cars probably have a working PCM.

What's going on with a search of the auto recyclers across the country?

Anyone tried this route yet?

[Ediron]

Re: pcm problem

I often wonder how many owners would like to take a long cruise with there Bird but are not to sure of the reliability .Just think if you were 500+ miles away and the PCM went and no signs of finding one,what do you do.