Okay, so the past 4 weeks, my 2005 GT's battery has been completely draining after sitting for 4/5 days. I'm at school so I don't drive very often.

I first took it to Sears where they told me the terminal was loose on the battery. they charged my 12 bucks, no big deal.

Then a week later, it was dead again. I took it to the local Ford Dealer here in State College. They told me that my battery failed there load test, and said that was my problem. So they charged me $141 for a new battery and install. I told them that Sears said my battery checked out, they said that "their equipment was better tuned". I also alluded to them that my sound system had been acting funny, volume turning down while listening, etc. They said they checked and found nothing.

Now two days ago, battery completely drained, again. This is a 2 week old battery mind you. So I take it in. Took them 2 days, but they found that one of my two stock amps from my Shaker 1000 had blown ... literally ... and was burning a hole in my trunk's carpet. This was keeping the battery on and draining it. Explains the draining and the sound system acting odd.

So here is where I need help. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem/service? My car is out of warranty, and total labor and cost on a new amp is close to $300 which I don't have as a college student, on top of a $140 new battery that I shouldn't have had to replace if the amp wasn't defective. Plus I have monthly payments to make.

I've petitioned Ford to pay for this out of warranty because I maintain this should not have happened, even with the car being 3.5 years old. It has sat 3 winters, hardly is driven now while I am at school, and has 35,000 miles on it. So, the sound system has been used lightly.

I can't find much online in the way of the same problems, but anything close, I would appreciate your input. Thanks!

 

Sounds like a defect in the amp... Can you look at the specs and replace it with a cheap aftermarket amp?

As for Ford, I'm also interested in knowing how to deal with them. I was in a $3-4k accident due to an unexpected/sudden failure of a power steering pump, and would like to have the blame put on Ford to bring my insurance rates back down and possibly pay my deductible.

 

As far as the battery, make the dealer reimburse you. That is B.S. that they made you pay for something that they diagnosed wrong. They have the same load testing devices everywhere (made by various vender's such as snap on or mac). They are also to blame for the whole in the carpet if you ask me since they did not diagnose this problem. Ask to speak with the service manager and work your way up from there. As far as the amp you are out of warranty, you need a new one.

 

DJO7 thanks for just totally freakin me out about my shaker amp!!! lol

 

Good news .... I went though Ford's out of warranty claim system. They agreed to reimburse me all but 100 dollars of a $500 repair. DJ is verryyy happy They said it was a manufactures defect for sure, and they also made State College Ford reimburse me for my battery.

 

Good deal, you can't be too upset about that. Sounds like Ford is finally moving in the right direction with their service and support on their products. Go Ford!!

 

Well I hope they are ... I don't know. State College Ford gave me the numebr to call to get through to Ford in Michigan. THey took all my info down .... and were able to see all the cars my fatehr has bougth through Ford since the 70s (over 20). I made sure I told them it would be the last I ever buy, or he ever buys, if they don't help us out.

Worked, I guess.

 

You're freaked about the amp? I'm MORE freaked out about Steve's power steering pump - THAT'S scary!!

 

If you have a battery drain problem, have your amp checked they had a problem with them . I hade a s/500 unit that was bad and drain the battery? That the first I heard of the p/s pump problem?

 

Thats awsome, but how come they won't pay all of it? They admitted manufacturer defect and won't pay the entire thing?

 

Well, that is what the warranty is for...which is no longer in effect for him. He is lucky they are paying for any of it.

The warranty is a guarantee that the car will be free of manufacturers defects for 3/36 (or 5/60 in the newer cars). They are not guaranteeing anything that is caused by neglect, or wear and tear, or scratches by the owner...etc. Nor are they guaranteeing anything past the 3/36 period.