Chip/Warranty Voided?
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Chip/Warranty Voided?
I hear a lot of people saying Ford 'voided' their warranty because they had a chip. Now what I'm currious to is that couldn't you just take the thing off and go into the dealer for your work? If you didn't tape the chip, how would they know you had one without diassembling the PCM? Were these 'voidations' caused by carelessness?
Secondly, how can they just 'void' your warranty. Do they add some sort of note to your VIN saying 'WARRANTY VOID' in the Ford computer system?
Secondly, how can they just 'void' your warranty. Do they add some sort of note to your VIN saying 'WARRANTY VOID' in the Ford computer system?
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From: EVERYWHERE
Warranty facts :
Nearly everyone has heard about someone who has taken a vehicle that has been modified with aftermarket parts to a dealer for warranty service, only to have the dealer refuse to cover the defective items.
The dealer usually says that because aftermarket parts are in place, the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket parts caused the problem . . . This Is Illegal!!!
Vehicle manufacturers are not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket parts are on the vehicle.
To better understand this problem, it's best to know the difference between the two types of new car warranties and the two types of emission warranties. When a vehicle is purchased new, the owner is protected against faults that may occur by an expressed warranty -- an offer by the manufacturer to assume the responsibility for problems with predetermined parts during a stated period of time. Beyond the expressed warranty, the vehicle manufacturer is often held responsible for further implied warranties. These state that a manufactured product should meet certain standards. However, in both cases, the mere presence of aftermarket parts doesn't void the warranty.
There are also two emission warranties (defect and performance) required under the clean air act. The defect warranty requires the manufacturer to produce a vehicle which, at the time of sale, is free of defects that would cause it to not meet the required emission levels for its useful life as defined in the law. The performance warranty implies a vehicle must maintain certain levels of emission performance over its useful life. If the vehicle fails to meet the performance warranty requirements, the manufacturer must make repairs at no cost to the owner. Even if an aftermarket part is directly responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer can not void the performance warranty.
This protection is the result of a parts self-certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the part manufacturer, but by law the new-vehicle warranty is not voided.
Overall, the laws governing warranties are very clear. The only time a new car warranty can be voided is if an aftermarket part has been installed and it can be proven that it is responsible for an emission warranty claim. However, a vehicle manufacturer or dealer can not void a warranty simply because aftermarket equipment has been installed.
If a dealer denies a warranty claim and you think the claim falls under the rules explained above concerning the clean air act (such a emission part failure), obtain a written explanation of the dealer's refusal. Then follow the steps outlined in the owner's manual.
However, if this fails, then phone your complaint in to the EPA at 202-233-9040 or 202-233-9100. If a dealer denies a warranty claim involving an implied or expressed new car warranty and you would like help, phone the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 202-326-3128.
Nearly everyone has heard about someone who has taken a vehicle that has been modified with aftermarket parts to a dealer for warranty service, only to have the dealer refuse to cover the defective items.
The dealer usually says that because aftermarket parts are in place, the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket parts caused the problem . . . This Is Illegal!!!
Vehicle manufacturers are not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket parts are on the vehicle.
To better understand this problem, it's best to know the difference between the two types of new car warranties and the two types of emission warranties. When a vehicle is purchased new, the owner is protected against faults that may occur by an expressed warranty -- an offer by the manufacturer to assume the responsibility for problems with predetermined parts during a stated period of time. Beyond the expressed warranty, the vehicle manufacturer is often held responsible for further implied warranties. These state that a manufactured product should meet certain standards. However, in both cases, the mere presence of aftermarket parts doesn't void the warranty.
There are also two emission warranties (defect and performance) required under the clean air act. The defect warranty requires the manufacturer to produce a vehicle which, at the time of sale, is free of defects that would cause it to not meet the required emission levels for its useful life as defined in the law. The performance warranty implies a vehicle must maintain certain levels of emission performance over its useful life. If the vehicle fails to meet the performance warranty requirements, the manufacturer must make repairs at no cost to the owner. Even if an aftermarket part is directly responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer can not void the performance warranty.
This protection is the result of a parts self-certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the part manufacturer, but by law the new-vehicle warranty is not voided.
Overall, the laws governing warranties are very clear. The only time a new car warranty can be voided is if an aftermarket part has been installed and it can be proven that it is responsible for an emission warranty claim. However, a vehicle manufacturer or dealer can not void a warranty simply because aftermarket equipment has been installed.
If a dealer denies a warranty claim and you think the claim falls under the rules explained above concerning the clean air act (such a emission part failure), obtain a written explanation of the dealer's refusal. Then follow the steps outlined in the owner's manual.
However, if this fails, then phone your complaint in to the EPA at 202-233-9040 or 202-233-9100. If a dealer denies a warranty claim involving an implied or expressed new car warranty and you would like help, phone the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 202-326-3128.
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Originally posted by bret
solution. by another pcm. and do a whole pcm swap, one with a chip one without.
solution. by another pcm. and do a whole pcm swap, one with a chip one without.
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The dealer usually says that because aftermarket parts are in place, the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket parts caused the problem . . . This Is Illegal!!!
When we were in Ennis for FFW myself and a couple others were interviewed and filmed by SVT to listen to complaints we had and others about warranty issues that dealers voided warranties because of an aftermarket filter for example and a few other things. This is/was suppose to be used as a training film for the so called "SVT Mechanics" and "Service Writers" that don't know squat about what a Lightning is.
Example...... after I bought my 'L at about 500 mod free miles I had a bad vibaration in/near the transmission area. I went to dealer and had the Shop Foreman ride with me to see what my complaint was, he drove by the way. As we were driving and just talking he asked me if this was a F150, I said no it's a Lightning. He said what's a Lightning? I said it's supercharged.... he said you put a supercharger on here??!! Duhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
By the way.... the dealership is a SVT dealership.
These are the things SVT wanted to know about. Hopefully the interview will help others not getting their warranties voided.
P.S.
OH by the way my 'L was fixed, had to replace the tail shaft on tranmission, bearing had backed out.
Regards,
Last edited by jarmstro; Nov 7, 2001 at 09:46 AM.
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When you buy a spare PCM, doesn't it have to be flashed at dealership with VIN and all that stuff? What about mileage? Is that held in PCM?
In relation to the scraping of the contacts, do they really get in there and check for that stuff when they do work?
In relation to the scraping of the contacts, do they really get in there and check for that stuff when they do work?
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From: Northville, MI, USA
Originally posted by Crued
When you buy a spare PCM, doesn't it have to be flashed at dealership with VIN and all that stuff? What about mileage? Is that held in PCM?
In relation to the scraping of the contacts, do they really get in there and check for that stuff when they do work?
When you buy a spare PCM, doesn't it have to be flashed at dealership with VIN and all that stuff? What about mileage? Is that held in PCM?
In relation to the scraping of the contacts, do they really get in there and check for that stuff when they do work?
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From: Northville, MI, USA
Originally posted by Spiro99SVT
It's the easiest way. Just remember you will need to reprogram your keys for the PATS system.
It's the easiest way. Just remember you will need to reprogram your keys for the PATS system.
i am stretching a little here, so if someone knows something else, please help me out...
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From: Lexington, Ky
I just talked to sal about this,
You have to teach the truck the PCM, because everything is on a databus. You can't swap the PCMS either, have to be retaught EACH time you swap them with a NGS...sucks eh?
Brandon
You have to teach the truck the PCM, because everything is on a databus. You can't swap the PCMS either, have to be retaught EACH time you swap them with a NGS...sucks eh?
Brandon
