I am having problems with my chip my check engine light keeps coming on. I had the codes cleared at my work, but I just got off the phone with ford and they said that a superchip will void my warranty is this true. Has anyone else had any problems with this? If this is true I will be really pissed like I am right now. Also will a throttle body spacer void my warranty? If someone could give me some feedback that would be great.
Thanks,
Sport

 

Sport,

Regarding the chip voiding your warranty, the answer is no, no, no and (did I mention?) no.

Based on everything I have read and everyone I have spoke to (including a well versed Ford Service tech), most aftermarket parts (including the chip) cannot and will not void your warranty UNLESS the dealership can PROVE that the part caused a problem that would have not occured otherwise.

This is a very common question -- hope it helped.

 

Hey guys,

My Question is....
How do you prove the dealer wrong if "they say so". I'm asking this as an honest question. I want "the" chip, but I just had a run in with my dealer. I had a bad GEM module and the dealer specificly asked me if I installed a chip. Well, I don't but the dealer said they would check to see if the conformal coating had been "tampered" with.
In this case I would be hard pressed to deny I have a chip. Why else would the coating be removed? I have an Airaid as well. I want to buy the ESP (see sig for reason..cheap insurance), and I don't want to waste the $1,200 or so, should my mods void it. I'm nervous about continuing with the upgrades.
Mike T, thoughts please?

------------------
1999 F-150 4x4 XLT SC FS ORP Dark Graphite interior, Dark Toreador Red, Power (Driver's) Captain's Chairs, 6 Disk CD, Remote Keyless Entry, Rear Slider
5.4, 3.73
Mods:
Manik grill guard, Westin Nerfs, Lund Moon Visor, Leer TSC600 hard bed cover, Duraliner Drop-in bed liner. Deflecta Shield II bug guard, Ford Vent Visors, Remote Start, Lojack, Airaid FIPK.
Issues:
5.4 "Slapper" replaced with New 2K at 12k mi.
Driver's Door Crack Repaired at 15k mi.
Leaky Slider repaired
New A/C compressor
New GEM to fix 4x4 engagement issue

 

This is a topic that I'm sure many of us are concerned about. I know I am. I've installed a Superchip on my F150. I haven't had to go to the dealer for anything sence, but I do worry about possible trouble.
We have heard about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. I checked it out on-line at www.ftc.gov, however I could not find anything specific reguarding this particular circumstance. There is alot of text there and I didn't have the patience to search through it all. If anyone on the boards has seen the portion of the law that pertains to this situation, or has the patience to find it, it would be in all of our best interest to have that information at hand.
Another place I went to on-line was: www.sema.org. This site did have specific information about this situation. It states what we've been told here. This is all well and good, I'm just not sure how reliable this source is.
We've "heard" about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, I think we really need to "know" about it.
If anyone out there has the recources to locate the necessary to information it would be greatly appreciated, by me at least!
Thanks.
Tom.

 

Ok I did a little more searching. I did find something a bit more concrete. Go to: http://www.sema.org./warranty/atta.cfm. This site has the "law".
Well now I feel a little better.
I hope this is helpful to others.
Tom.

 

Thanks for the link Wittom!

Although it does spell out the law in regards to the aftermarket, it still doesn't really answer my question. If for some reason I install the chip, and blow out the GEM again, I'm either going to end up paying for it or spend months chasing down a resolution. Not only that, but now I have a precedence established with my truck and all future warranty claims will be closely investigated by the dealer. I think it is reasonable (although slightly underhanded) for the dealer to void the warranty on the electrical system due to my tampering with the CPU. Has anyone been faced with this type of situation yet? If so.. what happened?

 

Hi Sport (Matt),

It's unfortunate that a few idiots at dealerships like that will try to tell people these types of things, but no, your dealership is dead wrong, and they have to abide by the law. They count on people believing what they say, and *that* is how they win, by people either not knowing or not sticking up for their rights under the law.

By the way, you said nothing about this dealership trying to tell you the Superchip would void your warranty when you called me a few minutes ago, Matt.

Before you "get pissed", you might want to give us a call and go over this, so you will know what your actual legal rights are. You'll always be better off knowing the facts instead of reacting with emotions.

Remember one thing, everyone: you have specific legal rights, and your dealer does not have the ability to change the law, they have to abide by it, which is why it is essential that you know your rights under the law, so they can't BS you! Unfortunately there are a few clowns who will try to do just that, so if you arm yourself with knowledge, you'll know when they're in the wrong, so you can tell them that you know what your rights are, and that tends to change situations pretty quickly. If not, you always have recourse, first with the service manager, and then the factory Zone Representative. Also remember that this kind of crap always comes from a dealership, it never comes directly from Ford Motor Company themselves, as they *know* the law. And last, we suggest that you refuse to do business with any dealership that treats you in this way, as it is *illegal*, plain and simple.

In order to legally deny a warranty claim based on the use of aftermarket parts, the automaker must prove that the aftermarket part in question was the sole cause of a directly related parts failure, and they must also prove that had the aftermarket part in question not been installed, the related parts would not have failed, and that is *very* strong legal protection.

Know your rights, don't let anyone at a dealership infringe on your rights, as remember, you are their *last* concern in these matters at those types of dealerships. Warranty work pays a mechanic less than if the customer has to pay for the exact same work, it's always been that way, as the automakers reimburse for warranty labor hours at a considerably lower rate than what is called "customer pay" work, and *that* is one of the reasons why people get told these kinds of things, so the dealership can make more money. There are Ford dealerships selling and installing the Superchips product line, as well as everything from K&N air filters to you name it, and now even Ford Motor Company is selling K&N air filters (dyed yellow) and other go-fast parts themselves, just to let you know. A little perspective and knowledge of your rights under the law will go a long way here.

Matt, if you have any other questions about this, please give us a call, and we'll be happy to go over this with you, ok?

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 04-04-2001).]

 

To S-76, Tom, etc.

We have posted the links to show everyone that information on the Magnuson-Moss Waranty Act literally hundreds of times over the past few years here, and here it is again:

http://www.sema.org/fedleg/warranty

There is no more credible source on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act than SEMA, that is the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers/Marketers Association, and we can thank them for getting the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act passed, to break up the virtual monopoly the automakers had been allowed to establish in replacement parts. This Act governs the use of *all* aftermarket parts, not just performance, but all kinds, whether they're replacement parts, appearance, or performance in nature.

S-76, your question is understood, and the answer is, the GEM module has absolutely nothing to do with a Superchip. The GEM module is not the powertrain computer at all, which is where the Superchip installs, but instead it is the module that controls 4WD functions! It is physically impossible for the GEM 4WD module to be affected by the Superchip, period. Any dealership service department should know this, so if your dealership is actually telling you that the Superchip affects the GEM module or will void the warranty or anything like that, refuse to do business with them, find yourself a knowledgeable & honest dealership service department to take your vehicle to in the future, would be my advice. There are plenty of smart & honest dealership service departmetns, many of whom actually sell & install Superchips, so this is just a dealership you need to avoid, if this is how they act. You have specific legal ritghs, and they are there for one reason, because there are unfortuately those will do anyhthing they can to take advantage of you. See, the root of much of this is the fact that warranty work, which is paid for by Ford to the dealership, pays the mechanic & dealership considerably less for each labor hour than if the customer has to pay for that exact same work out of their own pocket, and *that* is many times why this kind of crap takes place.

If you ever have an actual dispute over the use of aftermarket parts, then follow the instructions at the link to the SEMA web site I gave above, as it will instruct you on exactly what steps to take. Usually by the time you have the factory Zone Rep. involved, the shenannigans stop, as they *know* the law.

Our bests to all,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 04-04-2001).]

 

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. My service dept is, for the most part, "on the level". I have no real complaints. They are familiar with the Superchip and believe it or not, have nothing bad to say about it. The reason I ask the question is this:
It was explained (very nicely and straight forward) that the CPU / GEM and such are all interconnected. A botched chip install or a "bad" chip could take out various other components due to shorting or voltage spikes. I didn't mean to imply that the chip would cause my 4x4 system to malfuntion, nor did my SM. He told me that warranties have been voided for adding (wiring) off road light to alarm systems. If the aftermarket part installer (other than a self install)had caused the problem, I would be referred back to him / her for payment or resolution of the issue. I can understand that. The SM can't be responsable for someone elses work or screw up, nor will they honor the factory warranty on the effected item. To me it's a big gamble. I do want one of your chips though ...just afraid of the consequences should something happen to my electrical system...all they have to do is say...well you fried the thing while installing your chip, or you bent a pin on the CPU connector and caused a short...How could I defend myself against that? Even if the chip was in for some time, it could be used as the scapegoat to charge me shop hours. Wiring harnesses are expensive...
I don't know why I'm laying this out for you Mike, as there isn't much you could do, but thanks for listening

 

After posting on this thread I thought that this has most likely been done. I just haven't seen it on this site. Well I was trying to be helpful.
I was a bit nervous about installing the Superchip. I worry about getting screwed by the dealership. Also, I am not a mechanic or tech so there is a greater chance that I would mess something up. I didn't know of anyone who would install the chip for me, so I took a risk. It has paid off, and big time. I really like the feel with the Superchip!
I guess what I have learned from questions like the one on this thead is that yes there is a certian amount of risk involved when adding aftermarket parts to a vehicle. The dealership and manufacturer do have the right to deny warranty coverage, but within specific guidelines. Dealerships may use intimedation to try to get there way. We as consumers do have laws to protect us. The laws don't always seem accessible though. Consumers have laws to protect and the responsability to know the laws.
Bla bla bla.
So no one is going to hold my hand and make everything all better. I've got to become informed.
Sorry I'll shut the computer off now.
Tom

 

A point for a Superchip Programmer?

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat 4x4
Ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT 4x4
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible

 

Sport,
If you don't mind me asking, which dealership did you speak to?

 

Hi S-76,

Thanks for your detailed response. And it does sound like you're dealing with someone who sounds nice.

However, just so you'll know, it is simply not possible for the Superchip to affect the GEM module, nor has that ever happened in all these years to any customer of ours.

If a Superchip ever actually caused a computer to fail (which can easily be tested for specifically by us), Superchips will replace that ECU, they have always had that policy. It is easy for us to test the ECU for failure due to the Superchip, that's a fairly simple thing for us to do, so that can easily be checked.

Thee is only 1 possible way for the Superchip to affect a computer; in order to cause a problem like that, the Superchip would first have to be dead-shorted internally (something we've never once had happen in 10+ years), and in addition, someone would have to have the ignition on and then deliberately short the Superchip against the connector to cause an arc. Under that extreme circumstance, it is possible to have that kind of problem. We know that simply because some years ago, Superchips did exactly that, to test for this possibility. It's never happened to date to any customer of ours, in all these years & thousands of vehicles, and that should give you some idea of the possibility of this happening.

The bottom line is that each vehicle owner has to do whatever makes them feel most comfortable, it's our job to just let you know the facts.

We wish you all the best whatever you decide.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Mike,

Thanks! I didn't know you have that policy! It does make me feel better. I may very well contact you shortly for an order. I agree with the rest of the members, your patience is amazing!!

 

Thanks for all of the info mike. Also I would like to say that I did mention to you about the ford delership telling me that the chip will void my warrenty and you gave me a detailed explanation. Also I wrote that post to get some feedback on what I should do because your company was already closed. But you explained everything to me well. Thank you. Also I think that I should tell you that my engine light went on again this morning (4-5-01) so I just took my truck to ford to have them look it over and check out that problem that I told you I had over the phone. Again thanks for the help you made me feel alot better about buying the chip now before I thought that I had made a big mistake because I was having all of these problems. But hopefully everything will be fine from here on out. (once you send the chip back to me after testing it.
Thanks,
Sport
Ghz: the delership that I go to is Damerow
beverton ford