OK my Stang has been getting painted for the last 3 weeks, now they call me yesterday and tell me it's finished but it won't start![:@] He asked me to bring down my "Master" key, I thought both keys were the same but oh well, so I brought the key and my Diablosport because they seem to think it's a computer issue. Oh yeah and they brought it to a dealership with out me knowing and they were told that it had to do with the s/c. They are telling me that it will turn over but won't stay running. So i have 2 questions...

1. Do any of you have an idea of what could be the problem?
2. Does anyone know if the Ford dealerships have a way of marking vehicles that have voided their warranty for future reference?

 

I can't help you with your starting problem, BUT ford does have this nasty little Oasis program, and any service work/warranty work performed at any dealer can be pulled up by any other dealer.

 

So does that mean that as long as no work was performed than it shouldn't be in the system?

 

That is correct, Ford dealers can put information on Oasis, for a permanant record other Ford dealers can refrence. When I had my Powerstroke F250, there were a lot of guys getting the 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty cancelled for "illeagle" mods. The Mag-Moss act doesn't stand up very well for performance mods. It just allows you to use non ford replacement parts. Some dealers sell and install performance parts, and manage to cover warranty on their own hook. But if you get caught doing mods yourself, Ford has got waaay deeper pockets if it ends up in court.

 

Theres a great article in the new [June] Mustangs and Fast Fords magazine on warrantees. We ALL should read it. It explains a lot of things from our side and Fords.

 

Turns out that my vehicle is still at a dealership so I'm out of luck as far as a warranty now but, does anyone know if what the paint shop did is legal? I understand that they are responsible because it ran fine when I brought it in, but shouldn't they have to clear it through me if they take the car somewhere else, or if they have anything done to it?

 

As far as I know they have to tell you if they transport it anywhere besides lots that they own. If they owned the shop it was going to it would be fine, but they would have to let you know otherwise. I know this is the way it has to be with a dealership that is having things such as aftermarket stereos installed. They have to inform the customer ahead of time that it is being taken to another place to have something done. It comes down to accountability because if who they take it to were to screw it up, it has to have been authorized by you for them to be held accountable. It is actually something to protect (in this case) the body shop becuase if they take it to a dealership without your consent, and the dealership drops it off the lift, the body shop is the one held accountable.

 

If it was an independent paint shop I think they were wrong to take your car. They should have called you and informed you of the problem. For all you know they could have broke your car. That sucks man

 

Yeah I definatly feel that they are in the wrong, but I'm sure it's gonna be one of those things that I can yell and scream to them about and they'll do the same next time someone brings a car in.