Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

[Linear]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

I phoned the "Ford Customer Relationship Center", (800)392-3676, for one last time this morning. They had been totally unhelpful in my previous three calls. HOWEVER, I then threatened to call Ford Executives and suddenly, they came up with a number for a Ford group that authorizes the use of aftermarket parts under the ESP warranty! Perhaps my Dealer should have known how to contact this group, but his dealership is relatively small, and this situation was all new to him. Also, his Area Service Rep should have given him this information instead of just saying "Not in my job description".

Anyway, the contact is: Ford Prior Approval Group - (800) 321-7790

The Ford Dealer needs to call this number, open a case #, and request approval/authorization to use an aftermarket part under the ESP. Of course, this could still be a "runaround" where they delay or refuse approval, but I guess I have to give them a chance. If they "cop out", then Mark Fields and other Ford Execs will be hearing from me!

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

How about a prize to the first person posting Mr. Mark Fields e-mail address.

Took less than 30 seconds:

http://www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-9830

[Linear]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

As far as the ESP thing goes, my advice is always start at the top and let them work their way down. Mark Fields is head of Ford Motor Company these days. I'm sure it wouldn't be impossible to get his email address. If he is anything like Mulally was when he ran the company and you send him an email laying out the problem in a respectful manner indicating that you would like to remain a Ford customer, you'll hear from someone in his office with a short amount of time. Not to long after that your problem will more than likely be solved.

Well there ya go ESP contract holders. It only took 73 posts to direct you towards a solution within a short period of time.

Ummmm...........Well, thanks for the advice, but it's not that I haven't already thought about that approach. However, I think it's usually better to try the regular channels first, and if that fails, then go after the executives. Otherwise, we may "call woof" too many times, especially if we mention TBN to Mark Fields each time.

I will update as soon as I hear how my "bottom approach" works out.

[Linear]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete? PROBLEM SOLVED!

Took less than 30 minutes:

I just heard from my Ford Dealer. He called the "Ford Prior Approval Group" at (800) 321-7790 and in a few minutes he got authorized to use an "aftermarket" PCM refurbished by Flagship One Inc, to repair my TBird under the ESP. I'm sure that's faster than Mark Fields could have done!

HOWEVER, they consider these requests for authorization on a case-by-case basis, so "your milage may vary"!

NEVERTHELESS, this is GOOD NEWS news for me and other ESP owners. Ford has done the right thing, at least in my case. They just need to train their Area Service Reps and "800" number people to have that number available.

So, I'm a happy camper (for now)! I'll update when the refurbished PCM is installed.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Glad it appears to be working out. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

WOW
This thread has gone the full circle from here's the problem to how bad the situation is and its gonna get worse and on & on & on...... with 1,206 viewings and 79 replies with more coming every hour .....

And Holly Cow! It looks like it is going to get resolved properly by Ford.

TBN is a wonderful place to be. With constant posting like this we all get valuable information to carry with us to assist our selected Ford dealers in servicing our Birds.

Linear This is looking good & hope this all works out the way we all would like it.

[philj]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

When I first read of the ECM obsolete problem I became quite concerned. With the help of everyone we have determined that they are available although not from the Ford parts network. Those with ESP contracts need to record the information on this thread to have available for the Ford dealers. Over many years in the collector car hobby I have found that most dealer parts departments will not or do not know how to search for "Obsolete" parts. I feel certain that if someones Bird is out of service due to the failure of some part and it is not readily available that a posting on this site will result in someone helping to locate it. We are entering an period of time where we as owners will have to assist the mechanics, dealer or otherwise, in locating certain parts. This is not unique to the retro birds but applies to all cars when they get older.

[jerrym3]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Amen to that. I've said it before and still believe it. If for whatever reason our car could never go another mile, between the friends we've made and the places we have been in it we've gotten our money's worth many times over.

As far as the ESP thing goes, my advice is always start at the top and let them work their way down. Mark Fields is head of Ford Motor Company these days. I'm sure it wouldn't be impossible to get his email address. If he is anything like Mulally was when he ran the company and you send him an email laying out the problem in a respectful manner indicating that you would like to remain a Ford customer, you'll hear from someone in his office with a short amount of time. Not to long after that your problem will more than likely be solved.

I really don't think that the head of Ford is concerned about a few, few dozen, few hundred, or few thousand retro owners complaining about their ESP coverage. This doesn't reach anywhere the level of a potential class action suit regarding airbags.

And, if all those with ESP problems swore never to buy another Ford product, would that even matter to Ford? I don't think so.

I don't have an ESP, but, aren't a lot of the ESP's provided by companies that don't have a direct link with Ford? Who do you forward those complaints to?

[Guest]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

WOW
This thread has gone the full circle from here's the problem to how bad the situation is and its gonna get worse and on & on & on...... with 1,206 viewings and 79 replies with more coming every hour .....

And Holly Cow! It looks like it is going to get resolved properly by Ford.

TBN is a wonderful place to be. With constant posting like this we all get valuable information to carry with us to assist our selected Ford dealers in servicing our Birds.

Linear This is looking good & hope this all works out the way we all would like it.

You're absolutely right about this Mike.

The resources, knowledge, expertise and resourcefulness of TBN members is incredible. The only thing better is the willingness of members here to help other members. I don't think any other automotive online forum comes close. TBN is definitely a cut above!

[Guest]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

When I first read of the ECM obsolete problem I became quite concerned. With the help of everyone we have determined that they are available although not from the Ford parts network. Those with ESP contracts need to record the information on this thread to have available for the Ford dealers. Over many years in the collector car hobby I have found that most dealer parts departments will not or do not know how to search for "Obsolete" parts. I feel certain that if someones Bird is out of service due to the failure of some part and it is not readily available that a posting on this site will result in someone helping to locate it. We are entering an period of time where we as owners will have to assist the mechanics, dealer or otherwise, in locating certain parts. This is not unique to the retro birds but applies to all cars when they get older.

TBN could well be considered the Retro owner's 'secret weapon.' Vast amount of detailed information on just about every possible subject relating to these great cars ... all at members' fingertips.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Doug....a question about Flagship One. Did you find them or were they recommended by Ford?

[wcoates]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Gene sure can not speak for Linear but we did start the module supplier/remanufacturer thread and have posted it as a sticky under repairs.

They were the firm that fixed my car and were recommended by the local Ford dealer as they had dealt with them previously.

[Linear]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Gene,

I went with Bill Coates' recommendation. My understanding is that the PCM he got from "Flagship One" worked perfectly the first time. Some of the other refurbished PCM suppliers have had to ship multiple units to get the right match. "Flagship One" told me they are licensed by Ford to use the VIN number/PCM database, so maybe that's their "secret weapon".

Let's hope my "new" PCM works first time!

Thank you, Bill, for your help, and to everyone who has posted.

Doug (aka Linear)

[007Cruiser]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Got it. Hope all goes smoothly.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Valid ESP Contract but Required Part Obsolete?

Gene,
I went with Bill Coates' recommendation. My understanding is that the PCM he got from "Flagship One" worked perfectly the first time. Some of the other refurbished PCM suppliers have had to ship multiple units to get the right match. "Flagship One" told me they are licensed by Ford to use the VIN number/PCM database, so maybe that's their "secret weapon".
Let's hope my "new" PCM works first time!
Thank you, Bill, for your help, and to everyone who has posted.
Doug (aka Linear)

Good luck Doug, hope to see you and Sharon at an event soon.