Joined
·
16,008 Posts
Once I found out about the new ECU code, I called the local Ford dealer last night and told them I had a 2000-3000 rpm stumble, hard start, and battery light. He told me to bring it in this morning without taking any of my information for an appointment. I was prepared to go to the dealership this morning ready to fight for everything after hearing some of the horror stories on here.
I showed up at the dealership this morning bright and early at 7AM. The service attendant asked me what I was bringing it in for so I repeated all of the above plus a buzzing rear wiper washer when spraying (I found out later that it was buzzing because it was just low on fluid even though it showed NO signs of being low.....go figure). She then asked if I needed a ride to anywhere. I just said to her, "I was under the impression that SVT owners got a loaner car while their car is in for service." She asked what service advisor I spoke with and said that he probably set up the car already. I told her that he never took my information or set up an appointment so I doubt it.
She went and talked to the service advisor who then came over less than 3 minutes later with a slip of paper for me to take over to their Hertz Local Edition to get my car. The slip of paper showed all rental car charges were to be billed to the service department.
![]()
I was given a Pontiac Sunfire, and I must admit that while I hated the car, that thing was quite peppy for an automatic. A LOT more impressive than my old Neon DOHC auto was.
I got a call around 11:30 saying my car was done. He informed me that they needed to reprogram the ECU to fix all the problems I had listed. Needless to say, I was quite excited.
I went to the dealership at 2PM to pick up my car. I returned the rental car (only 15 miles driven) and was charged nothing. I then picked up the service ticket where it showed that they reprogrammed the ECU and about 2 minutes later they pulled my car around front. On the front seat was a slip of paper with TSB #03-19-11 on the top of it.
![]()
They had programmed the new ECU code like I was hoping.
I have to say, for my first experience with the Ford service department, I am happy. I didn't need to fight to get the rental car, or even inform them about the TSB and ECU code like I was prepared to do. They didn't wash or vacuum my car though, but since it was pouring rain, I think that was acceptable.
Oh, and yes, the car drives a LOT better so far. It is MUCH easier to launch the car now, it doesn't have the tendency to bog down when you have the A/C on. Stumble is also gone, but it still cranks over a couple of times before starting. That Sunfire started up with just a quick flick of the key.....THAT'S the way a car should start in my eyes. Hopefully it will get better as the car adapts to the new program....
If you have read all of this, I am impressed and thank you.
![]()
I showed up at the dealership this morning bright and early at 7AM. The service attendant asked me what I was bringing it in for so I repeated all of the above plus a buzzing rear wiper washer when spraying (I found out later that it was buzzing because it was just low on fluid even though it showed NO signs of being low.....go figure). She then asked if I needed a ride to anywhere. I just said to her, "I was under the impression that SVT owners got a loaner car while their car is in for service." She asked what service advisor I spoke with and said that he probably set up the car already. I told her that he never took my information or set up an appointment so I doubt it.
She went and talked to the service advisor who then came over less than 3 minutes later with a slip of paper for me to take over to their Hertz Local Edition to get my car. The slip of paper showed all rental car charges were to be billed to the service department.
I got a call around 11:30 saying my car was done. He informed me that they needed to reprogram the ECU to fix all the problems I had listed. Needless to say, I was quite excited.
I went to the dealership at 2PM to pick up my car. I returned the rental car (only 15 miles driven) and was charged nothing. I then picked up the service ticket where it showed that they reprogrammed the ECU and about 2 minutes later they pulled my car around front. On the front seat was a slip of paper with TSB #03-19-11 on the top of it.
I have to say, for my first experience with the Ford service department, I am happy. I didn't need to fight to get the rental car, or even inform them about the TSB and ECU code like I was prepared to do. They didn't wash or vacuum my car though, but since it was pouring rain, I think that was acceptable.
Oh, and yes, the car drives a LOT better so far. It is MUCH easier to launch the car now, it doesn't have the tendency to bog down when you have the A/C on. Stumble is also gone, but it still cranks over a couple of times before starting. That Sunfire started up with just a quick flick of the key.....THAT'S the way a car should start in my eyes. Hopefully it will get better as the car adapts to the new program....
If you have read all of this, I am impressed and thank you.
