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Ray Snyder
06-08-2005, 03:15 PM
The other day I went out to my car and it was dead. It had plenty of life in the battery, but would not turn over. I tried Jumping it, but no joy. Finnally I got it towed to the dealership and a couple of hours later they called me to tell me that a sensor in the stearing column had failed. This is the sensor that recogizes the key. They told me it would cost about $360 to replace (41,000 miles and out of warrenty). I picked it up today to find a bill for $470. $56 for the part and $370 for labor, the rest was taxes.

Does anybody know who I can complain to at Ford. First I don't think a piece of electronics should fail in under 3 years. And second I want to make sure I was not ripped off on the labor.
twolow
06-08-2005, 03:24 PM
When my PATS unit failed it took a higher level tech to do the reprogramming work to get the keys to work on the new unit on top for the labor for the regular tech to do the actual hands on work inside the car replacing the parts.
Smokie
06-08-2005, 03:28 PM
The other day I went out to my car and it was dead. It had plenty of life in the battery, but would not turn over. I tried Jumping it, but no joy. Finnally I got it towed to the dealership and a couple of hours later they called me to tell me that a sensor in the stearing column had failed. This is the sensor that recogizes the key. They told me it would cost about $360 to replace (41,000 miles and out of warrenty). I picked it up today to find a bill for $470. $56 for the part and $370 for labor, the rest was taxes.

Does anybody know who I can complain to at Ford. First I don't think a piece of electronics should fail in under 3 years. And second I want to make sure I was not ripped off on the labor.In regards to the labor cost I would recommend you contact Carfixer, he can help you with labor rates.
Mike Poore
06-09-2005, 06:38 AM
The other day I went out to my car and it was dead. It had plenty of life in the battery, but would not turn over.
Ray, that hapened to me several times with my '97 Cobra, but not since. There was a procedure to "reflash" it that involved unpluging a module or pushing a button hidden under the trunk liner, as I recall. I got the info from the service dept mgr at my dealership, and that was all there was to it; although it was a somewhat involved procedure. I don't know if there is a similar procedure these days, but I suspect you've been screwed. Perhaps Carfixer will chime in with the correct answer. BTW, is the reflash procedure published in our owner's booklet, or is it still a closely guarded secret? :dunno:
Bradley G
06-09-2005, 06:45 AM
What was the Part #?

Bradley G
Ray Snyder
06-09-2005, 06:51 AM
What was the Part #?

Bradley G
3WIZ 15607 AA Transceiver $53.56.
Labor $371.59
Hazardous waste $35.?
Tax $6.42

I had also asked them to give me the old part back, It was not in the car when I collected it.
Doobie1
06-09-2005, 07:15 AM
Hummmmmm this could be the problem with my car......still at the dealer for the 3rd freakin day
Ray Snyder
06-09-2005, 07:19 AM
Hummmmmm this could be the problem with my car......still at the dealer for the 3rd freakin day

I Put the key in the ignition all the lights came on, but when you try to start there is nothing, No click, the lights don't go dim, the horn works, so theres plenty of juice in the battery. I tried disconnecting the battery to see if that would reset something, No joy. Tried the shiftlock to make sure it was in park correctly... Next thing I know its $466.57..
Doobie1
06-09-2005, 07:37 AM
I Put the key in the ignition all the lights came on, but when you try to start there is nothing, No click, the lights don't go dim, the horn works, so theres plenty of juice in the battery. I tried disconnecting the battery to see if that would reset something, No joy. Tried the shiftlock to make sure it was in park correctly... Next thing I know its $466.57..

Well that labor sounds about right, did you get new keys ?
Ray Snyder
06-09-2005, 05:06 PM
No still have the same keys
Mike Poore
06-10-2005, 04:44 AM
No still have the same keys
Well, Ray, that proves there's a reflash procedure. I can't find my old notes, but recall it involved pulling a plug, then inserting a shorting lug, before the reflash protocol could be employed. We need to learn the drill for reflashing the PATS these days.:)
DEFYANT
06-10-2005, 06:58 AM
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Auto repair shops can get you by charging actual time spent on the job (done if the job goes over the book time).. The book time is literally a book containing various repair procedures and how much time a qualified machanic should need to do a job.

IMHO, a good shop should charge you the lesser amount. I would continue to use that shop in the future.

just my .02