Well, four weeks of ownership, and the following is on my Cars 'issues' list:

1. The trunk is missing the part that's between the seats and the..well, trunk.

2. The Battery Exploded - Major wtf?

3. CD Player does not work

4. When Downshifting into 1st Gear, well, it 'sticks' you could say, and there is a grinding feeling as well as a whine

Basically, I was wondering if anyone thinks that this constitutes a slight BF at the dealership. The battery thing has me thinking Alternator issues, but it also has me thinking: Shouldnt the Ford Mechanics have looked it over with their Quality checking stuff?

 

Yea they should've check it over.

 

Quality Control should have occurred at Auto Alliance in Flat Rock. I had a few similar issues in November 2005.

 

how fast are you going when down shifting into first?

 

15-20

 

I would make sure every bit of battery acid has been washed away. That stuff will eat through the paint and it can corrode wiring as well.

 

that sounds fast...I cant even get it to go into first unless I'm basicly stopped...

 

yea 15-20 is pretty fast...i tried one time in mine at abt that speed but it wouldnt let me in so i put in 2nd and went on my way

 

I take it your talking about your 03 and not the 07. My 460 system would heatup on my 99GT, and was for-warned not to use CD's with labels on them. Also my 99 had access to the trunk, thru the rear seats. There wasn't any "part" there. And for the Battery, perfect time to move it to the trunk area, where it should have been in the first place, for a better weight distribution. Now shifting. uh, yeah, slow it down a tad more, before ramming it in. Oh and one other thing, change the shifter out to a TriAxe. It'll help you tremendously.

 

Yup! 15 to 20 too fast for first gear.

 

I think more or less the big issue is my incredible edible exploding battery-doo. Which, as stated, should have been noticed during the car's inspection, if one was done.

To further agitate, while fiddling with the big piece of hanging cloth in the 3/4 of a trunk I have, I found peanut shells, an earing, 36 cents, and a collection of Bud Light and Coors caps.

Here's to Ford's service departments.

 

Is it just me or is this starting to sound beyond bizzare??

 

Sounds like the "Service Dept" never ever got to look at this vehicle. Used, dealer swap, or a recent trade. NOTHING is ever done to these, until SOLD. Then it goes to "Detail". Usually managed by the Sales Dept., for a quick clean, while your signing paper's up front. Even fresh off the truck units, are only looked at by the Sales Force, and rec'd in by them. When being cleaned for delivery, is usually the first time anyone even looks over them. It would only end up in Service, if the Sales Dept needed something done. Fresh Oil, New Tires, etc, are at the mercy of the Sales Dept. Not the Service Dept.

 

Thanks FLAStang

Quick Update: My Cousin came by today, helped out, got a battery in it, took the car out, everything appeared fine. Came home, parked it, went out an hour later, tried to start it, Battery was dead.

 

Sounds like alt. to me.

 

You've got a drain somewhere. If you can't find out what it is, install a switch to shut the connection off between the batt. and the wiring to the rest of the car so you can shut it "off" while not in use. That's what was happening with my buddies 914, and that did the trick.

 

Doubtful it's a major component. Agree with a drain. Not on my 99 GT, but on my 03 Mach1, had similar drain, turns out it was the trunk light. Needs to be traced, but until you do, definately go with the shutoff conector.

 

***UPDIZZLE***

Well, today had a pretty gnarly start to it. It's a weird feeling, seeing your car towed, even tho you know it was going to happen. We had it taken to our old dealer, Swanson Fahrney Ford, since it was closer to home (12 mile drive vs 40 mile drive..). We followed in the Tungsten GT, and when we got there, it was the usual Stuff. Car had to be pushed into a space, since it, you know, doesen't start.

Anywho, I was helping push the car into the space, and then popped the hood, and was looking the little 2v over with a mechanic, explaining what all was going down. The Guy/Kid who looked it over initially said it felt like the clutch was gone in it, which would explain the major stiffness, I guess. Altho I had always heard SN95 clutches were a lot like a second brake pedal..

But, as it sits, the car will be there for some time, I got to keep my treasure trove of peanut shells, beer caps, batteries, bandaids and that sweet alligator skin belt (). But, right now, I'm hoping it's just an Alternator, or Regulator issue.

If the GT turns out to be a lemon, which I hope to god it is not, I did some back up car looking (mmmm...2003 Mach 1 for 21k.... ), and I have a plan of attack on my dealer..

 

That car sounds like just a major problem.

 

Yeah....dare I say it's startin to sound.....lemony fresh?