Re: Getting Rid of Car

[BITWTB]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

I'm sure no one meant any disrespect or bad vibes about your decision to get rid of your beloved Thunderbird. If we had all read your last post first, we could all pitch in to help resolve the problems. It does sound like the dealerships are "missing" a little too and customer service is not their strong points, as is diagnosis. Obviously, the poor performance of the car isn't related to the solutions already addressed.

OK folks out there, let's get these problems resolved for our fellow T-Bird owner. Any suggestions to address the problems? It sounds like some phone calls to Ford dealers involved wouldn't be out of the question. I'll pass the hat--I've got $50 to contribute to get you two back on the road again.

[ibjeff]

Re: Please don't attack ladytbird

I am sorry to hear this. I had similar troubles with a 2006 Chevrolet SSR. To top it off the dealership did not even want to work on it. They would literally cringe when I brought it in. So many problems, I loved the truck, but lost a bundle getting rid of it.

[ladyTBird]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

Got up this morning and put car on ramps. Started with the basics, Checked all the fuses and relays. All OK. Took off breather section and checked out AIC Solenoid and AIC valve. Both working well.
Disconnected all 4 O2 sensors and started car. Seems to want to run smoother at idle and can run up rps to about 2400 before cutting out. Thinking I need to replace downflow sensors. Thinking over rev has a sensor to keep from running up too high.
what would be the appropriate rpm before shutdown occurs. I'm thinking 3500

[Gobird]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

Correct, I don't remember for sure but the rev limiter kicks in at either 3,000 or 3,500 rpms with no load on the motor or in reverse.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Please don't attack ladytbird

You keep mentioning that you replaced the fuel pump (as in one pump). Are you aware that there are two fuel pumps? Perhaps the other one is bad?

[Ray]

Re: Please don't attack ladytbird

First of all, Ronnie, thank you for your service to our country. I hope you are able to get your car repaired. You aren't the only one who has had problems with their Thunderbird.

[AZTB]

Re: Please don't attack ladytbird

...You aren't the only one who has had problems with their Thunderbird.

Oy Vay...ain't that the truth! If was any other car, it would be gone by now!

[V8 Cat]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

I sympathize with you. Got rid of a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (supercharged) because the problems were just overwhelming eventhough it was still under warranty and the dealer rented me a car to use each time I brought it in. I really would have gotten rid of it sooner if I was paying for repairs and had no rental. That car is the reason I'm driving a T-bird now.

[HKS]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

Sarah,

When I read the posts, I always wonder about mechanics replacing things when it may be a bad connection. I had a Chrysler 300M that showed a code for O2 senors. It had four of them and would cost $300. I simply removed the connectors and reseated them thus knoking off some of the corrosion. I also listen to Car Talk on Public Radio and they always talk about replacing sensors, never a bad connection. Of course, when you replace a sensor you are scraping corrosion off of the other half of the connector also. Maybe reseating all the connectors or replacing the ECM module may be in order.

HKS

Got up this morning and put car on ramps. Started with the basics, Checked all the fuses and relays. All OK. Took off breather section and checked out AIC Solenoid and AIC valve. Both working well.
Disconnected all 4 O2 sensors and started car. Seems to want to run smoother at idle and can run up rps to about 2400 before cutting out. Thinking I need to replace downflow sensors. Thinking over rev has a sensor to keep from running up too high.
what would be the appropriate rpm before shutdown occurs. I'm thinking 3500

[jerrym3]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

Based upon the money I've dumped into my Lincoln LS, at $1,000, you're getting away cheap.

Went to my local dealer the other day for a non-maintenance issue. (A plastic cap on the top of the rear strut on my LS was missing. When the struts were changed, someone forgot to replace the cap.)

Started talking to the service manager who, with no prodding from me, once again mentioned how trouble prone LS's are.

[AZTB]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

Started talking to the service manager who, with no prodding from me, once again mentioned how trouble prone LS's are.

Which, IMO Jerry, is really sad for Ford. Ford's Lincoln Moniker will never rise back to par with Cadillac until they come out with another RWD platform for Lincoln.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

............... Ford's Lincoln Moniker will never rise back to par with Cadillac until they come out with another RWD platform for Lincoln.

I agree with you 100%. Cadillac is on fire with the CTS-V coupe & sedan. Lincoln has nothing to compete with that in performance and style. Lincoln does seem to have more reliable cars, but Cadillac is in the top ten according to the 2011 J.D Power reliability survey of 3 year old cars. It looked at first that the LS would be a BMW competitor with the RWD platform, but Lincoln never improved it and finally gave up on it like its parent company did the Tbird.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

I completely sympathize with you. Last year was a pricey one for my 'Bird w/over $3000.00 in repairs not including general maintenance and tires. When questioned about the cost to keep the car on the road, my Ford rep said: 'you bought an expensive Ford and it is expensive to fix'. I baby the car w/very regular service and mostly freeway driving and didn't want to hear that!

[AZTB]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

I completely sympathize with you. Last year was a pricey one for my 'Bird w/over $3000.00 in repairs not including general maintenance and tires. When questioned about the cost to keep the car on the road, my Ford rep said: 'you bought an expensive Ford and it is expensive to fix'. I baby the car w/very regular service and mostly freeway driving and didn't want to hear that!

Bruce, IMO that's a cheesey thing form the Ford rep to tell a customer. Seems you'd want to build goodwill, not destroy it. If Ford were to to have the mindset of what this knucklehead said, they'd have the reputation that BMW or MB now has.

When my wife owned her BMW, she couldn't believe how many cars were waiting in line every morning for repair...and just to have the oil changed was $140. Then, if you want to talk repairs, the costs were out of site. She mentioned that while waiting in the waiting room at the dealer, all the customers complained about the expense in having their BMW's repaired and how they weren't buying another.

[Gobird]

Re: Getting Rid of Car

I am now spoiled as far as dealers go. I never liked dealers in the past but the one I found down here in Avon Park Fla. (Bill Jarrett) is heads and above any Ford dealer I have ever delt with. And I have delt with a lot over 40 years.