apology,poor choice of words
 

see revised original post

Hang in there
 

It is hard to beat the "Big Boys" when it seems like it is their "bat, ball and field". But it can be done, hang in there and take it easy, your health depends on it. For what it's worth I agree with your position with Ford.:cus:

First let me say that I was a Honda tech for almost thirty years. Brake fluid IS something that you want to have changed about every three years. Just like changing your engine oil, it will save you money in replacement parts hands down. However at 30k assuming your ford is 2 to 3 years old, that should be premature for trans fluid.

I just purchased last month a 2004 Honda accord with 94000 miles for my son to replace his 1998 accord with 220000 miles. It still runs like a top, but he is 1000 miles away and I can't fix the things that may start to go wrong from here in TV.

I purchased this used car from Kuhn Honda on Tampa. Yes it was a long drive there, but I got a great deal on a great car. Among other things, they put new tires on it and fixed the AC the day I looked at it. Two weeks after I picked it up, the AC dies again. Since I was an ex Honda tech, I could see that the compressor was not working now and that the fix they had done before was to repair a wire to the compressor. That evidently was enough to move the wiring inside the compressor clutch/coil to get it to work for the two weeks. I talked with one of the general managers and said very politely that I knew I had no warranty on the 8 year old accord , but was hoping that for good will that some consideration could be given to me on the repair. He said bring it in and they would fix anything that was wrong with it. While I was there, since we only got one key with the car, I opted to spend $189 for a new key and program of the remote on that new key. The parts dept said to just tell service since they would put it on my repair order. Not only did the dealership replace the AC clutch but they didn't even charge me for the $189 key fob.

I find it incomprehensible that any dealership would deny a warranty claim as has been outlined here by the OP. It costs a dealer only the difference in customer pay vs warranty pay for a warranty repair. Just about anything a dealer wants to rep ace under warranty they can. And they keep a customer. Do you think I will ever buy another used Honda from anyone other than Kuhn. I understand that hondas policy has tighted somewhat since I retired 7 years ago, but I can give you one example of great customer goodwill. I owned my own Honda /Acura repair business for 20 of the 30 years iwas a tech. The 1990-1992 accords had problems with their distributor bearings failing around 130000 miles. This was about a $250 repair. We would do the repair even as an independent and then tell the customer to contact American Honda and they would be reimbursed for the repair. Hondas position was that the distributor should last the life of the car. Things like this ismwhy Honda and toyota have such loyal customers.

Jeff

I agree with the outrageous service attempts at Key scales ford. Have contacted Ford Corporate Headquarters in regards to a transmission issue. Key Scales Ford said transmission and A/C Compressor (3500.00) needed to be replaced. Surprise, surprise PCM (power control module) replaced (750.00) at a reputable service facility solved the problems. Oh and Ford would not honor the replacement under a warranty. imho....AVOID, AVOID this dealership. If you want more details pm me.

K&N
 

Not what you want to hear but Wetted Oil Air Cleaners can cause the Mass Air Flow Sensor to fail. Before Fuel Injection old school they were wonderful.

Now most Technicians have been trained to not recommend them. And in fact there are several bulletins out for shift problems drivealbilty and Service engine soon lights pertaining to this.

The filters oil mist travels in the airstreams vortex to the Hot Wire and causes the Mass Air Flow Sensor to give eronous Data " Althought the Driver never knows this " Or worse the sensor can fail.

If a Bug hit the sensor it is down stream from the air cleaner. This means the bug would have had to pass throught the air cleaner. That is unlikely unless the air cleaner was not seated properly. I have seen this happen often.

Or the bug was in the housing dead but coated with oil. Then the air flow moved the dormant critter up on to the mass air flow sensor at high air flow.? Ot the sensor failed and they are not wanting to warranty?

Many variables. I feel you fustration. Just giving you the facts.

see revised original post

The engine light came on in my Mustang. It's not in warranty, but I wanted to have it
checked. So where does one go for honest auto service ??

buy american ?????? NOT

You may want to consider purchasing a Code Reader from any auto parts store. The reader will cost you close to what the diag. charge will be and you will have the knowledge first hand on what the problem may be. You may even be able to do the repair yourself if it is something simple and save 100's of dollars if a dealer performs the same repair.

Avoid dealerships at all costs
 

I have never been back to a dealership after the warranty expired. All Service managers and employees are paid on commission. That means if they don't sell you service YOU DON"T NEED they don't get paid! Any certified mechanic can work on your Ford (or GM or Toyota). You bring your car to a dealer expect them to overcharge you and recommend service you don't need like changing your brake fluid lol thats a new one!

About 20 years ago I overheard the owner of a Ford Dealership in Virginia speaking to his service manager on the telephone(land line ,of course).He was a director of a bank that i worked for. He ranted that the average service billing averaged less than $100 per transaction and threatened the SM with summary execution if that performance was repeated in following months. I would be glad to hear from Dealers and/or SMs commenting on their current practices. Bet I don,t.

Advanced Auto in Lady Lake will read the code for you for free.

see revised original post

Thanks for letting us know. The truth prevails!!!