Dealer Service-warranty work

[JohnnyB]

Took it in for service.... had the shift linkage adjusted. Did not always catch reverse or neutral when shifting from drive or park..... dangerous

Inquired about the parking brake travel...I have to depress all the way down to lock up. Apparently, this is factory spec. and the dealer wouldn't adjust the cable........ mad:

They will also replace the moulding around the headlights because it has started to lift off and is causing the lens to fog up....

[jgc61sr2002]

Johnny B What dealer services your MM?

[merc]

Originally posted by JohnnyB
Took it in for service.... had the shift linkage adjusted. Did not always catch reverse or neutral when shifting from drive or park..... dangerous

Inquired about the parking brake travel...I have to depress all the way down to lock up. Apparently, this is factory spec. and the dealer wouldn't adjust the cable........ mad:

They will also replace the moulding around the headlights because it has started to lift off and is causing the lens to fog up....

I have the exact same problems that you listed about molding and shift linkage. I will bring that to my service manager’s attention along with my squeaky passenger seat.

:argue:

[schuvwj]

I took my MM in the dealer to adjust the shift linkage and they told me that there was no likage to adjust!?!

Please someone shoot me!

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by JohnnyB
They will also replace the moulding around the headlights .....causing the lens to fog up....

The entire headlamp assy will be replaced...the molding is not servicable.


Originally posted by JohnnyB
.... had the shift linkage adjusted. Did not always catch reverse or neutral when shifting from drive or park

Mine as well, only difference is mine is too shy to do it for the dealer, so nothing was done. It still does it, I'm kinda getting used to it....not!

[JohnnyB]

The dealer that services all my cars is Smith-Cairns Ford L/M in Yonkers, NY. (914) 377-8100. I recommend their service dep't as I have not had any problems. Was in last Friday and received a letter yesterday that the moulding parts they ordered had arrived..... not bad

[JohnnyB]

I wouldn't take any chances with that shift linkage. Have them adjust it anyway. You don't want to think your in drive, nail the gas and go the wrong way.

They did order the whole lens assembly... just checked the letter.

[JohnnyB]

Originally posted by schuvwj
I took my MM in the dealer to adjust the shift linkage and they told me that there was no likage to adjust!?!

Please someone shoot me!


Tell them, how does the transmission shift when I move the shifter........ duh.

Suppose you lend the car to your wife or someone, and they back up, put the car in drive, step on the gas and it goes in reverse and hits another car or worse, hits a pedestrian. Go ahead and fight that one in court..... "your Honor, I put the car in drive"
I was very adamant about this issue and they fixed it. The shifter also feels tighter and clicks into each range better. get it done!!!

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by JohnnyB

Inquired about the parking brake travel...I have to depress all the way down to lock up. Apparently, this is factory spec. and the dealer wouldn't adjust the cable........ mad:

If the factory spec is "all the way down", how do they account for cable stretch?

Mine engages at about ½ way...sounds like :bs: to me...

[troopcar]

Johnny B-
Did you buy your car from Smith-Cairns? I want to take my MM there for service, even though I didn't get it there (it's the closest place to me). Is that a good idea? Also, did they give you a loaner for warrenty work and/or non-warrenty work?

My parking brake appears to lock very close the the top. Never had a car that catches so high up (but I kinda like it). My car's only five weeks old, so do they start catching lower as time goes on?

Thanks,
troopcar

[Bigdogjim]

It kinda a funny when we know more about the Marauder then the people who service them for a living.................

[JohnnyB]

Troopcar:
I purchased my MM from a LM dealer in the Bronx 11/02. They had one with only 7 miles on it. Smith had ( and still has) the original one received in June 2002. Had about 100 "demo" miles on it. Figured it was a rough 100 miles from joyriders not intersted in buying the car so I balked.
It's not a problem to bring your car to Smith-Cairns even if you didn't purchase from them. I'm in Bxville only minutes away and I did not request nor did they offer a loaner car. Didn't need one anyway as I have two other vehicles. I have had no problem with their service and the attitude there is good. Call to make an appointment becasue it fills up opretty quick. Good luck!

Purchased the Focus from Smith and the Mark VIII from the Bronx dealer

[Jeff]

I called my dealership to schedule the first oil change and brought up a couple of issues I have with the car. He acted like he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I asked him how many MM's he serviced. He said, "I think I've seen a couple in here." -SSSHHHeeeeesh! :shake:

[JohnnyB]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
If the factory spec is "all the way down", how do they account for cable stretch?

Mine engages at about ½ way...sounds like :bs: to me...

My dad is a retired auto/truck mechanic who spent the last 15 years with and retired from Ford. He's gonna check it out and adjust if necessary.

In addition, I apply dielectric tune up grease to all of the metal contacts in the electrical connectors (that I can get to) under the hood, etc. Prevents corrosion and will preserve the connectors for years to come. Some are difficult to break apart but if you're careful they come off. Use a small screwdriver to undue the plastic thing.

[JohnnyB]

You're entering another dimension, the sign post ahead, next stop, your friendly neighborhood LM dealer.....

[troopcar]

JohnnyB-
Thanks for the response. I put a few of those 100 miles on that 300A MM at Smith-Cairns back in late June/early July. I wasn't too rough on it with the nervous salesman sitting there, but can't speak for the others. Ha ha.

I too have more than one car, but haven't figured out yet how to drive them both at the same time. Getting a loaner car makes it so much easier to bring the car in and then get to work. Smith-Cairns used to give me a loaner or free rental most of the time when they were in Bxville and I brought in my '91 Crown Vic which had an extended warranty from the previous owner. I bought that car in '93, just exactly 24 months old -- what a beauty then, with the shiny law enforcement hub caps, fat tires, undercover/FBI dark blue metallic, and antennae sticking out of the roof. Scared a lot of folks back then as I cruised the highways and byways. Wow, didn't mean to take that trip down memory lane, but that car was such a fun experience!

So, would that dealer in Bronx happen to be Courtesy?

troopcar

[JohnnyB]

Courtesy it is. Bought my Mark VIII there also 5/98. Their approach with the MM was a bit better than Smith-Cairns and the Courtesycar had only 7 miles on it. Did you really drive the Smith MM.... they still have that car for sale.
It's a pain in the ass to drive to the BX and triple park on White Plains Road while you line up for service, so I go to Smith. Got the Focus at Smith - seems the Ford side of the dealership is better than LM. Located the car on the lot on a Sunday and had it in my driveway the following Saturday. Did everything over the phone and was out of the dealer in 10 minutes. Anyway, service is service.
My dad had a 1989 Crown Vic LX - great car (like a Lincoln) but he sold it because they kept stealing the grill and headlight lens. The old Smith Cairns dealership in BXVille is now an auto detail place and they also sell classic cars... I live like 90 seconds from there.....

[martyo]

Troop and JohnnyB. wanna go to a cruise night together in Portchester??

[troopcar]

JohnnyB-
Yeah, I think it's the same car. Still have the VIN that was written on their business card - 2MEHM75V03X615107. When they first got it, it was parked on the wide sidewalk right in front of the showroom. Wonder where it's parked now.

and martyo-
About the cruise night with you and JohnnyB -- 10 - 4! Sounds like a great idea.

JohnnyB - Are you in?

troopcar

[JohnnyB]

Yeah I'm in...... Let's schedule a date.
BTW, that MM is now in the showroom. I remember when it was parked outside on the wode sidewalk.... that was the 1st MM I saw (besides the NY auto show)

[jaywish]

Hi Guys,

I have been using Smith for service for many years. All In all I had pretty good experiences with them. I can't say I have used them lately though.

Also on that single Marauder unit they had with the 100 miles. That's also the 1st one I saw. The salesman wouldn't let me test drive unless he had a final deal so I didn't get to drive the darn thing. Claimed he didn't want to run up the mileage. It was at that point that I left.

Hey troopcar did you previously have a Grand National?
If so, then it is indeed a very nice ambiguous looking Crown Vic, & I haven't seen the Marauder around the neighborhood yet.

Jay