Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

[Linear]

Smooth Fix with a Refurbished PCM!

Hopefully, this will be the final update on my PCM/ESP problem.

The refurbished PCM was delivered to my dealer a couple of days ago (Tuesday, Jan 17) from Flagship One. It was installed and everything seems to WORK PERFECTLY! My dealer said it was programmed correctly for my vehicle and it powered-up, without any problems, first time, when activated.

From receipt of order, it took Flagship One about a week to deliver the refurbished PCM.

A few more details. When my dealer phoned the "Ford Prior Approval" Group at (800) 321-7790, to get authorization to use a refurbished PCM (i.e. an non Ford OEM part), they initially refused authorization because the PCMs are listed as "backordered" and not "obsolete". They said they might get stock "any day now"! (Yeah, right!) Fortunately, I had told my dealer about TBN and that 10,000 members had not seen a Ford OEM PCM for 2 years. (Perhaps a slight exaggeration!) Anyway, that seemed to convince them to approve the "aftermarket" part. So, again, TBN has helped out with a major issue!

Finally, even before we had found out about the "Ford Prior Approval" Group, my dealer had offered to buy a refurbished PCM, and install it, for only the usual $100 deductible ESP charge. I had purchased my ESP from him, and he wanted to do the right thing, even if Ford seemed to be stonewalling. So, I hope I can give him a plug here on TBN. It's Stott's Ford, in Tryon, NC (828) 859-6627. They are a few miles off I-26, near where the interstate crosses the NC/SC border.

It's great to be back on the road in TEABIRD!

[AZTB]

Re: Smooth Fix with a Refurbished PCM!

...Finally, even before we had found out about the "Ford Prior Approval" Group, my dealer had offered to buy a refurbished PCM, and install it, for only the usual $100 deductible ESP charge. I had purchased my ESP from him, and he wanted to do the right thing, even if Ford seemed to be stonewalling. So, I hope I can give him a plug here on TBN. It's Stott's Ford, in Tryon, NC (828) 859-6627...

It's great your dealer went to bat for you on this...wish I'd had the same luck with the dealer here in Glendale. SO glad it worked out for you! Congrats.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Glad that it finally worked out, Doug!

[Sandy J]

Sept.29,2017

Well I wanted to take time to give MY UPDATE on Ford and the Un-Available Power Control Modules !
I just went through this situation with my TBird and FORD PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY !
I am lucky to have a very good Ford Dealer " MIKE PATTON FORD in LaGrange, Ga . go to bat for me with Ford as originally they told Service part was no longer available " standard answer" and could not locate a FORD PART ! But would authorize dealer to get replacement ( re-manufactured ) and NOT VOID MY WARRANTY ! The replacement part will be covered by FORD until expiration of my Warranty in 2019. And supposedly replacement part has a " LIFETIME" Warranty ! ?????????? :)
But at least Labor and Part covered under warranty minus deductible ! So seems to be as good as could be expected outcome !

Regards

Sandy J

[Rondor]

I am thinking ( and hoping ) that an after-market warranty will cover after market parts. If it's feasible to make parts for the 55-57's then it should be for the retro's one would think.
However the electronics poses even more obstacles probably.

[Sandy J]

Well I have just GONE THROUGH this with my TBIRD with MIKE PATTON FORD in LA GRANGE GEORGIA ! I have had very good service results from this dealer . Like all I Was told at first part no longer available ; but Service Mgr said He would contact Corporate . Sure He could tell I was not going to take that answer easily . So I gave Him a week and did my research here on TBIRD Nest for additional ammunition for the showdown ! Drove to dealer yesterday about a week time frame with the information I got from the NEST ready for battle . And He told ME as I walked into his office HE had got the OK from Ford to replace with re-mannufacture part as they could not locate FORD PART ! Told that would be OK as long as it not affect my ESP WARRANTY as the part comes with a " lifetime " from the parts source . I have about 2 yrs remaining on my warranty so I figured i be safe ??? LOL
Strange thing in all of this SERVICE MGR "SAID" he did not know of a SOURCE > Thats when I hit Him with the information I got here on NEST from " Linear Six Pak and Merlot ! :)
So HOPEFULLY I WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD NEXT WEEK !!

Sandy J

ps BUT FORD WILL PAY THE DEALER UP TO A CERTAIN FIGURE FOR A RE-MANUFACTURED PART for " EVERYONE'S INFORMATION"

[EllisonCal]

I think that the Ford ESP is an insurance policy and it is written by Ford Motor Company and if challenged in "Small Claims Court" they would probably lose this one. In South Carolina you can bring an action against an Insurance Company's contract, I have done it and the Company had to hire a lawyer, I did not. The maximum amount here in SC is $5000. If the amount required to fix the car is less than that, I would use that remedy.

[wcoates]

This thread has much useful information:

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...e-manufactuers

UPDATE!! PROBLEM SOLVED!
Now, I paid over $2000 for my ESP, so obviously I am not happy with the above situation! My Service Manager and I have been trying to contact someone at Ford that could perhaps authorize a refurbished PCM, but so far, we can't get past the "Area Service Rep". They won't give me her contact info, and she refuses to contact me to discuss the issue. The Ford Customer Relations Center opened a case number, but they say the only way "up the management chain" is through the Service Manager and Area Rep!! :-(

Linear)

Doug, am thrilled that you have had success. In my travails in getting my PCM corrected/replaced under the ESP, I have to say that the Ford Customer Service area was virtually worthless in solving the problem. Not helpful at all and it was like pulling teeth to get alternative numbers for personnel that might be able to help. (thanks to LAPhil for providing those numbers).

I think that the Ford ESP is an insurance policy and it is written by Ford Motor Company and if challenged in "Small Claims Court" they would probably lose this one. In South Carolina you can bring an action against an Insurance Company's contract,.

Cal, in my first attempt at using the small claims court I was advised that I might want to use a local arbitration service. They twice sent 14 pages of documentation to Ford legal (after numerous attempts at resolving through Customer Relations, the second level of ESP mgt., and Senior Mgt in the Powertrain group.)

Finally went back to small claims court who advised that I needed a name on my filing. Used a number provided by L.A. Phil to make a courtesy call to advise the person that they would soon be sued. Gentleman's Admin.Asst. listened, asked if paper work was ever filed. Yes twice to Legal-no reply. Said she'd get back. Authorization was the next day. (Sent her boss a glowing letter about her performance.)

Yes it can be done! Painful but possible.