Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[numbnuts240]

ricer

[Bubba1]

Looks GROOD in black!

It looks like this?????




I dunno MoD, perhaps if it had wood grain side moulding...

[sx moneypit]

[sx moneypit]

[numbnuts240]

hey Ben. how're things?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Holy crap I'm pissed.

Remember how I mentioned replacing the fuel pump in the LS8?

Well, I did so after diagnostics at a local Ford dealer when the car would crank but not start.

Turns out, they were absolutely f*** wrong. And I told them so at the start, but they told me I was wrong and gave me a different diagnosis.
When I took the car to them, I told them it was the PATS module (stupid security s*** I never wanted anyway). It's faulty, and sometimes it doesn't recognize the key which triggers an injector cutoff as a theft prevention measure.
They had the car for maybe half an hour and called me back saying the pump was bad, drawing too many amps, and tripping the fuel inertia cutoff switch.

So I spent $400 overnighting a fuel pump and supporting parts and then my own time to install them.

That same week, the car started no-starting again. Strong crank, no start.

I started researching my original theory and, sure enough, it's a common issue and the true cause of my no-start conditions.

More to the point: IT THROWS A DTC CODE!!! THERE WAS A CODE IN MEMORY INDICATING THE PROBLEM WHEN THE DEALER MISDIAGNOSED IT! The code definition SPELLS THE CAUSE OUT WORD FOR WORD. Of course, I didn't know that the code was showing until later, or I'd have proceeded differently. I'm fairly confident they never even plugged a computer into the car.

The PATS issue could be anwhere from $50 to $1000s to fix depending on the failed component (might be the main computer module, might be a secondary module, or might even just be the antenna ring that reads the key).
Instead, I spent $400 on a non-issue and still don't have my problem fixed.

I want to go back to the dealership and rage but I'm really not sure it'll even do me any good.

And, to make matters worse (and make me feel extra foolish):
I've had this car and another at this same dealership and had them eff it up with those as well.
I had my Ranger in for a door ajar dinger problem that they NEVER found. I found it myself and it was psychotically simple.
AND I had my LS8 in for work that is covered under a specific recall/warranty extension and they NEVER mentioned to me that it was under warranty. They were set to charge me to fix it (on top of diagnostic fees) but I told them to take a hike. Not until I took the car to another dealership in a different state years later did I learn of the recall. So either they're dishonest or they're idiots. Or both.

I need to find a different Ford dealer who will actually DIAGNOSE my issue instead of throwing parts at the first idea they come up with.

[Bubba1]

Instead of a Furd dealer, have you considered using an independent shop? I've had enough bad experiences with dealers that I swore off them many years ago except for warranty work. Best decision I ever made.

[King Ranzo]

I'm sitting at my desk.

It's 9:17 AM.

I'm eating zesty salsa wheat thins and staring at an empty service drive.

Send help.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Instead of a Furd dealer, have you considered using an independent shop? I've had enough bad experiences with dealers that I swore off them many years ago except for warranty work. Best decision I ever made.

There seems to be a dearth of decent OEM-capable independent shops in this area. After some research, though, I'm looking for a good mustang performance shop that's experienced with 4th gen engine swaps, which often require PATS workarounds.

[King Ranzo]

It's my birthday.

Where's my strip tease Tita?

[numbnuts240]

you didn't get it? damn you chris hansen.

[numbnuts240]

yay for broken spark plugs. routine tune-up on the exploder turned into a major pain in the a** over the weekend. parts store gave me the wrong pcv valve, and then the last plug decided to break during removal. ez out isn't budging it, so last night we moved a lot of crap out of the way to make room for surgery. gonna drill that b**** out, heli-coil, and put the new one in. my thoughts are that this will be the last time i do plugs on that thing. with >210k on the clock, i think that's probably a safe assumption.

also, changed the oil in the st myself for the first time. i spent more time removing and reinstalling the belly pan than i did actually changing the oil and filter. ridiculous.

[frapjap]

Why the hell did you bother changing them anyway? Rough idle?

Too bad it broke. I'd just leave it in there if it weren't for that.

[numbnuts240]

it's been a little less smooth lately

[MinisterofDOOM]

I think I just found a new favorite beer:
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel


It's outstanding. Ultra-malty, really warm and smooth, no bitterness and just the tiniest hint of hops. Absolutely ZERO sweetness and no effing hipster fruitiness.

[skydragoness]

Oh hey guyz.

I haven't been on here in ages...

[frapjap]

Sup gal!

Where would one find that beer?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I happened upon it at the state liquor store next to my other favorite ( Celebrator, another Ayinger beer). But I'm not sure where to look in states with normal beer sales.

[Dattebayo]

There are quite a few beers that Ayinger makes that are outstanding. I would go so far as to say EVERYTHING they make is great. I mean, they are actually from Bavaria, so that's a big ol' DUH.

[King Ranzo]

also, changed the oil in the st myself for the first time. i spent more time removing and reinstalling the belly pan than i did actually changing the oil and filter. ridiculous.

That's the one thing I'm not looking forward to on this car - that stupid friggin' belly pan. It's so frustrating, especially in the driveway.

[MinisterofDOOM]

There are quite a few beers that Ayinger makes that are outstanding. I would go so far as to say EVERYTHING they make is great. I mean, they are actually from Bavaria, so that's a big ol' DUH.

Agreed! There are Ayinger beers I don't like, but that's due to personal taste, not quality.

[Hijacker]

Oh hey guyz.

I haven't been on here in ages...

Why hullo dur

[skydragoness]

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I've been so busy. I'm working at a new job and enjoying a crappy commute because the tollway is heinously expensive. Driving my bf's 350z as my commuter while he drives the recently-acquired 240sx we got back in March to his job since it's only a 10min (and safer commute).

I know Ayinger is great stuff..I've moved on to just red wine and hard cider.
I've stopped drinking beer, mostly due to my boyfriend strictly following a keto diet now so I don't have a six pack to share with anymore , plus I noticed that dairy and anything wheat related is tied to me breaking out.
Eff that. I'm too old for pimples. I like having clear skin.

[frapjap]

Do you feel like the 350 is fast enough to enjoy every day, Christine?
I'm not tired enough of the Trans Am yet, but am always entertaining the next car.

The FD is high on my list of something I want to own in the next few years- especially since it won't depreciate under my ownership if I buy a nice enough one.

I just paid off my credit cards this month and while we still have a wedding to pay for, I always have my eyes open for a Subaru replacement. I really like the new Lexus IS line, especially the turbo models. They're not the cheapest, but they're on par with the Q-f*** it is now from Infiniti for similar cash.
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS

What do you all think about those?

[Hijacker]

I'm actually really happy with my Fusion so far. It's got enough creature comforts to make me happy, especially since my a** sits in it for 3+ hours a day. And the fuel economy is nice while still having a 200 HP gas motor. Granted, mine is with the tech and luxury packages, so I get Sync and all the luxury bells and whistles.

The only thing I lack is a push button start and nav. I'm pretty confident I can add the push button start. I just need to check and see if the wiring harness has the plugs for the extra antenna. Adding nav would be a different beast entirely.

[frapjap]

Is wiring in the start button just for the hell of it, or do you want it to have it?

I didn't even know you had a Fusion. What year is it? I drove a newer model one with 10k on it and really didn't enjoy a lot about it, but always had an eye for the older, leaner model.
My favorite cheap rental car right now is the Chevy Cruze. Its turbo and engine match the transmission brilliantly, handles surprisingly well, doesn't have back up camera and other things you don't really need, and the price makes sense for what it is.

[Bubba1]

I really like the new Lexus IS line, especially the turbo models. They're not the cheapest, but they're on par with the f*** it is now from Infiniti for similar cash.
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS

What do you all think about those?

I haven't driven the new lexus IS yet, but from what I've read, they're not bad, assuming you can get beyond the bizarre front end that looks like the mouth of the monster from the Predator movies with Nike swoosh dimples.

[Hijacker]

Is wiring in the start button just for the hell of it, or do you want it to have it?

I didn't even know you had a Fusion. What year is it? I drove a newer model one with 10k on it and really didn't enjoy a lot about it, but always had an eye for the older, leaner model.
My favorite cheap rental car right now is the Chevy Cruze. Its turbo and engine match the transmission brilliantly, handles surprisingly well, doesn't have back up camera and other things you don't really need, and the price makes sense for what it is.

I traded my Pathfinder for it in August. It's a 2014 model. So far, I've enjoyed the piss out of it. For my 120+ mile round trip commute, I'm averaging 45 MPG, which is a ton better than the barely 19 I was getting in the Pathfinder.

I want to add the push button because I've always wanted a car with push button start. The tech sheets say that you need to have the luxury and tech package to have it, which I have. The main issue will boil down to the PATS. Kind of how MOD was complaining about PATS on his Lincoln. I haven't had an issue with it, but the whole point of PATS is that it's an anti-theft system, and it can screw a lot up if you start playing with anything PATS related. The current ignition switch has a small PATS receiver around the key slot, and it sends a signal to the BCM and PATS units to let the car know it's okay to start. The switch gets pulled and replaced with a push button on the dash, so I don't know how that will mess with PATS. I do know that a center antenna is located by the cup holders, and there should already be antenna in the door handles. If I have the plug for the center antenna, then I'm golden and the wiring already exists. If I don't, then I'm kind of boned in that regard. It's a factory option, so I'd assume it can be added post sale pretty easily. I haven't seen a whole lot of people who have done it. Probably because it's expensive AF. Gotta buy the switch, the center antenna, and two fobs that need to be programmed. Everything I've read makes it sound like the door handle antenna are already there. At least according to the FSM. But the FSM is kind of poorly written and extremely basic. Nissan does a MUCH better job of laying the electrical systems and how to work with them than Ford does.

I got a decent deal for it. We ended up paying 20,800 for it. I looked up the window sticker, and it retailed originally for 32,000 when it was new for 2014.

[MinisterofDOOM]

A common work-around for PATS when installing push-button start is to just remove the ignition key receiver antenna ring and hide it somewhere in the dash with a key inside. It completely bypasses the ignition lockout function of PATS, so you'll need some other system to prevent just anyone from being able to press the button and drive away with your car, but it allows you to keep the stock PATS setup happy while adding new features.

As for the turbo IS...
Anyone expecting me to seriously consider spending $38k on a car with a f*** four cylinder is out of their gorram mind. I don't give a s*** how much power it makes, you can feel the effing thing clunking away through the smegging firewall. Who the Hell wants to buy a smooth, quiet, refined luxury car with a jackhammer under the hood? The 2.5 V6 made infinitely more sense. A turbo 2.0 or 2.5 V6 would make even more sense than either, with none of the drawbacks.

[frapjap]

That whole PATS thing sounds like a huge pain the butt. But it'd be cool if you could build and perfect the work around to sell so others could do it in the aftermarket.

A low displacement V6 would be pretty sweet in a lexus. I don't know how smooth it'd be, but it'd certainly be a fast rev climber.