new computer installation

[AZTB]

Re: new computer installation

Ford should have used Macs, then this problem wouldn't be.

Macs were already taken...

[qruml23]

Re: new computer installation

Macs were already taken...

Here another one too.

[jerrym3]

Re: new computer installation

I also don't think Ford cared about the Thunderbird and its Lincoln/Jaguar siblings. However, it is quite clear that of the three, the Thunderbird carried some cache that has held up with time. You don't see that many of the LSs and Jags on the road(perhaps they are just not noticed..or noticeable) and the TBird is still a beautiful car and gets noticed a lot. Ford made a mistake in not making it representative of what the company could do well and just left it as an attractive reminder of their lack of mechanical prowess. I met one of the PR people in Scottsdale who was around for the launch and they were aware of the shortcomings then. However, the dealers are a different story. They love the car and the repair income. My guess is that the Thunderbird will be around for a long time. At six years and 100k miles, mine still looks as good as it did new and it still gets positive comments every time I take it out.

LS's are on the road, but they just blend in with traffic.

Lincoln tried to design a Mercedes look-a-like rear end, and it didn't work that great on a smaller car.

Front's pretty neat, though, especially the models with the body colored grille.

But, they are fun to drive.

[Welker]

Re: new computer installation

Jerry, I remember when the Lincoln was introduced. The car magazines all said it was every bit as good as the Jaguar but its design was less "fluid" to make it more, uh, American. The Thunderbird had to have a removable top because they couldn't put a retractable hard top on a Ford when Jaguar didn't have it.

[jerrym3]

Re: new computer installation

Car mags liked the LS, but then Ford, in all it's wisdom, made some nice improvements for 2003........and then stopped.

Seems like I heard something similar about another Ford vehicle, hmm..................

[Welker]

Re: new computer installation

This is to anybody who has any information at all on the subject. The Ford dealer asked that I go on the Nest and ask if anybody can help. They have been on the phone with Ford for two days seeking answers and Ford can't help. The COPs have all been replaced, the plugs are new and the diagnostic tests still show they need replacing. They sent the processor back thinking it needed a new one and it tested ok by Ford, they put it back in and the diagnostic testing still shows all the COPs are bad. They want to know if anybody has had this problem. The car just turned 100k. Anybody have any experience with anything like this? The car remains in permanent limp mode.

[Welker]

Re: new computer installation

Ford just told me that the problem is only cylinder three....no matter what they do they can't make it come alive. They are going to get Borg Warner COP and try that on cylinder three.....they have switched everything around, but no matter what they have hooked up, the cylinder doesn't respond. Any suggestions?

[2K2BIRD]

Re: new computer installation

Did they replace the plug wires? Perhaps the one going to cylinder #3 is bad. Please take this question for what it's worth as I am not a mechanic, I don't play one on TV and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[Paul]

Re: new computer installation

Ned,
In order for a COP (or any electrical component for that matter) to function, current in some form must get to it. That current flow is through a wire with some form of connection at each end. There you have three "possibles", those being a break in the wire or a break or corrosion at either end of the wire. Respectfully, don't sell corrosion short, especially at 100K+. It's been the source of everything from flickering light bulbs to cars that suddenly won't start due to corrosion between the battery post and the cables. If something as "small" as corrosion can stop the flow of current from a 600 amp 12 volt battery to the cable, it would have no problem at all impeding the flow of energy (impulse) in a low current circuit. These are wonderful cars as we all know. Your problem might just be a little crud in the wrong place.
Worth a look.

[HKS]

Re: new computer installation

I agree, check all suspect connectors for corrosion. Sometimes just unpluging and reconecting will knock corosion off. A lot of times when electrical parts are replaced, its the connecting and reconnecting that does the fix. Not the new part.
HKS

Ned,
In order for a COP (or any electrical component for that matter) to function, current in some form must get to it. That current flow is through a wire with some form of connection at each end. There you have three "possibles", those being a break in the wire or a break or corrosion at either end of the wire. Respectfully, don't sell corrosion short, especially at 100K+. It's been the source of everything from flickering light bulbs to cars that suddenly won't start due to corrosion between the battery post and the cables. If something as "small" as corrosion can stop the flow of current from a 600 amp 12 volt battery to the cable, it would have no problem at all impeding the flow of energy (impulse) in a low current circuit. These are wonderful cars as we all know. Your problem might just be a little crud in the wrong place.
Worth a look.

[04birdman]

Re: new computer installation

Good question. I told the dealer I thought that Ford was required by some law or other to have parts for ten years following the year of manufacture. He said that this was a rare event and that Ford did have the capability of making the computer but did not store a finished one....so, unless I am being sold a bill of goods, I am guessing that the remanufacturing of a lot of parts would be possible and perhaps more practical than keeping a stock on hand. It also may address the problems we all think we face with a computerized old car becoming so old the parts won't be available. Maybe they always will be available, kind of like a computerized parts bin...everything possible for a price. My plan was to keep this old car running forever, daily driver, rather like an old 737. Might be possible after all. I'll let you know how this turns out.

the 10 yr parts thing,from what i can find out is an urban myth, I have been all over the internet looking at govt sites, car sites , i even emaild my atty general and cant find anything to support that concept.if someone knows where to go id like to see something in writing?

[LOP]

Re: new computer installation

the 10 yr parts thing,from what i can find out is an urban myth, I have been all over the internet looking at govt sites, car sites , i even emaild my atty general and cant find anything to support that concept.if someone knows where to go id like to see something in writing?

I believe you are correct in that Mfgs. are not "obligated" to support discontinued vehicles with parts...many choose to do so however. we have the same issue in the SSR community and GM is just now beginning to fill backorders, many of the parts are used on other current platforms and that helps matters.

But I would like to know if anyone has factual evidence that the "10 year rule" does exist.

[Welker]

Re: new computer installation

So far no luck on solving the problem. The dealer seems stuck. I've contacted all the mechanics I know and some I do not. They all say about the same thing.....that being that the Ford diagnostic equipment is about the same as theirs and they wouldn't be able to tell what is wrong either. They say Ford has done what they would do. Ford says it has tried "everything" and today ordered a Borg Warner COP for the one cylinder(#3) which is not working. The car is running on seven cylinders and if they don't get it fixed with the new COP(all eight have been replaced and rotated in search of a solution)I guess I'll junk the car. There is a possibility that a replacement engine from a wrecked TBird, LS or Jag might fit but it would be expensive and have the same COP problem potential. Any other engine replacement would run into the $10K area so it may be that this old Bird is due for a long, long rest and a tearful burial.

[SixPac]

Re: new computer installation

Questions:

1. Do you have the Ford ESP? (I'm aware that you have 100K miles)

2. Didn't we have a TBN member replace an engine about a year or two ago for $3K?

[Welker]

Re: new computer installation

Extended warranty gave out at 74k miles. I have checked and a new engine, plus shipping is about $1500 but I'm not sure I want to go with the potential problems this engine always had and, of course, the new engine might not solve the problem(likely won't) since the dealer says the problem is not mechanical and we would end up with all the same COPs we have now, wouldn't we? I'll check but I'm not hopeful. One mechanic said a new engine might solve the problem but maybe not and I don't know if I want to become a gambler at my late age. Thanks for the suggestions, though, I am becoming increasingly depressed and a limping, old car just doesn't seem like something I want to live with, no matter how much my wife loves its looks. Up to now I have been singing the praises of Ford but this is the first car I have ever kept to this high mileage and I'm beginning to think my praise was unwarranted...old is old, after all, isn't it?