Cure for all those afraid of dealers seeing signs of their "chip"

[cobrayankee]

This is just a thought, but what if I went to the dealer, claimed there was a problem with my computer (I don't know what I'd say, but that's not important), and this would cause them to remove the computer themselves. Now there are signs that the stocl computer has been tampered with, but by a dealer, and you have that documented. So now, any time you remove your aftermarket one for service, it won't matter. Does this sound right? Or does the stock computer show signs, other than visible ones, of aftermarket tampering? Something like a software code I mean.

 

[Hamrhead]

Cleaning the 'goo' off the contacts so you can install a chip is probably what the dealers consider tampering. I doubt they'd do this to check the computer.

That's all that's stopping me from getting a chip.

 

[Speedin Bob]

rather than trying to decieve the dealer...

any signs of 'goop' removal from the circuit board is evidence enough to cause a red flag.

you basically have the following options:

1. don't mod ANYTHING until your warranty expires.
2. gamble, mod, and be prepared to suffer the consequences when they say SORRY.
3. go throught he headache (and expense) to buy a seperate non-modded PCM and have it programmed for your PATS system every time you want to take it in for service in cinjunction with removing ALL mechanical mods.
4. find a mod friendly dealership.
5. kick, scream, threaten, and PAY FOR litigation on the grounds Magnusson Moss violation.

Ya never know who is reading these boards!!

Bob

 

[Boss Hoss]

I thought that by tampering they...

Meant that they could tell that the ends of the computer board had ben cleaned.
Later..
Black 2000

 

[cobrayankee]

Re: Say What??

Cobra, you bring up an interesting topic, but for someone that has yet to do a single mod to their truck, and will probably be out of warranty by the time you get around to it, why are you pondering this theory? Are you thinking of doing some mods soon?

Maybe so! Remember that unexpected set of tires I had to buy? Well I've yet to see a bill! :tu:
I know, it WILL eventually show, but wouldn't it be nice........
You're right about the warranty being up soon though. I have only had my truck for 10 months and I'm pushing 21,000 miles already.

 

[Baby Jake]

I chose the 'mod-friendly' dealer route. As an added bonus...the tech(s) at my 'non-SVT' dealer know A LOT more about a Lightning than the Gommers I bought it from!

Jake...

 

[DAVER716]

Struck,what dlr did you go to?e-mail me!Have you had your truck out since the last time we talked?-Dave.

 

[reality1]

Just my Opinion:

It pays to know the other Lightning Owners in your area and patronize a single Dealer. Get to know your Service Manager and YOUR Mechanic

By Patronize I include sending them some Business. These Lightnings still attract a conversation wherever you go. These "Guys & Gals buy Explorers,Mustangs, Expeditions, and Expensive Heavy Duty Trucks. I think I have talked quite a few out of buying a Chevy or getting Butt Rammed by Dodge. I also think most Dealers gain or lose busines by the Actions of the Service Department. This is especially True when you have a Heavy Duty Truck that is used in your business and/or you have a wife you still love and don't want her to put up with the B.S. that some of these so-called Svc Managers dish out. I also put forth Great Effort to explain which (SVT) Dealership to Avoid.

While I'm at it , I also think Ford should Pull the marketing rights away from Dealers that want to do Warranty work at their convenience instead of the Customers'....and give some SVT Dealers lessons in manners. When I first got my Lightning I took it in for front end Alignment (nearly 3 yrs ago and I will never forget) Service Manager went past being Appalled that I wanted This Done with only 500 miles, he was P******* and he let me know....and then the Owner of the Dealership said T.S. in so many words. The Salesmans' response was that the Owner had so much money he couldn't care less about ONE Customer.

I am happy to say that I now have my Truck serviced by a Non-SVT Dealer and their Service Department and Mechanics are the Best I have ever seen.
Jim

 

[Uncle Nick]

Just my Opinion:

It pays to know the other Lightning Owners in your area and patronize a single Dealer. Get to know your Service Manager and YOUR Mechanic

By Patronize I include sending them some Business. These Lightnings still attract a conversation wherever you go. These "Guys & Gals buy Explorers,Mustangs, Expeditions, and Expensive Heavy Duty Trucks. I think I have talked quite a few out of buying a Chevy or getting Butt Rammed by Dodge. I also think most Dealers gain or lose busines by the Actions of the Service Department. This is especially True when you have a Heavy Duty Truck that is used in your business and/or you have a wife you still love and don't want her to put up with the B.S. that some of these so-called Svc Managers dish out. I also put forth Great Effort to explain which (SVT) Dealership to Avoid.

This is exactly true. I send my dealer a ton of business and they have yet to give me any hassle about any warranty work. I have already had a transmission put in my truck with no hassle and with everything in my sig on the truck to boot!

The phrase" the squeaky wheel gets the grease" means alot. I always give my service advisor a excellent questionare back and a little $$$$$ for getting my truck back to me in clean, timely fashion.

 

[noelvm]

Find a mod friendly dealership. We have a bunch down here. Talk to the other L owners in your area. Our dealers don't give a damn about a chip as long as its not a diabalo.
noelvm

 

[Redneck Ferrari]

Re: rather than trying to decieve the dealer...

any signs of 'goop' removal from the circuit board is evidence enough to cause a red flag.

you basically have the following options:

1. don't mod ANYTHING until your warranty expires.
2. gamble, mod, and be prepared to suffer the consequences when they say SORRY.
3. go throught he headache (and expense) to buy a seperate non-modded PCM and have it programmed for your PATS system every time you want to take it in for service in cinjunction with removing ALL mechanical mods.
4. find a mod friendly dealership.
5. kick, scream, threaten, and PAY FOR litigation on the grounds Magnusson Moss violation.

Ya never know who is reading these boards!!

Bob

6. Buy some humiseal and install over your contacts.

Gee uh... Noelvm, you don't have an alliance do you, tell us how you really think!

 

[Speedin Bob]

Our dealers don't give a damn about a chip as long as its not a diabalo.

Noel,

In all due respect, either produce concrete documented proof Diablo chips are detrimental programs else please refrain from this nonsense.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[MadNess]

Noel is right bob, ask any of our dealers, of which im sure we can advise you who to ask, they will tell you... no diablo chips...

 

[vinman]

Struck in az

The PCMs are not plug and play.I have two of them and it has to be reflashed every time you switch out or the key will not work.Just find somebody that can reflash and everything will be fine.
Also the PCMs are NOT truck coded.They are all interchangeble.Dealer wuold never know.

Hope this helps

Vinman

 

[Speedin Bob]

I'll take the bait...

Madness,

Please email me the dealer(s) info and the appropriate contact persons when you get a chance. I'd rather hear it from them directly rather than what is perceived as a second-hand jab at one of our supporting vendors.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for and am grateful for mod friendly dealerships. They are few and far between.

Thank you,

Bob

 

[LTNBOLT]

Well, what did they say?

 

[Speedin Bob]

Chuck,

awating response......

Bob:w

 

[JERRY HART]

Bob
Good point!!!! As they say get it from the horses mouth!!!!!
Reallity1
Jim, as always good info on a touchy subject,were very lucky here,and some of the SVT dealers just plain stink!!!!!As you know the only way to get good work done on the L's in our area is to stay away from the SVT dealerships,thank goodness we have one dealer that CARES about their reputation and customers..

As far as if a Ford Rep or SVT dealer is reading the board,they might learn a little,First of all train your Techs to look for problems,not mods....We all know the parts of the L's that fail,instead of complaining about them get the proper fixes in place.....I was talking to a mechanic at a dealership about the trannys in the L's,he said as long as the failure rate was acceptable,nobody would worry about a fix,case closed!!!!

For an extra $2000 they could upgrade the tranny and use decent rods and the failure rate might just decrease,I don't think anyone who bought a Lightning would have been scared off if it were $2000 more....In other words, give us what we pay for,service and a reliable product!!!!!
J MAN

 

[ViperLuke]

I also had a dealer tell me the Diablo chip wasn't recommended. I'm using a Diablo chip, so I didn't like hearing that. I blew a head gasket two weeks ago. I don't know if the chip had anything to do with it. It may have happened anyway, without the chip. I like the performance gains I get with the chip. Right now I don't know what to believe.

 

[Speedin Bob]

Luke,

Did you ask them why no Diablo?

Bob