Mods Voids Warranty

[Slowpoke]

Just spoke to my dealer and they said that the Reinhart Mods would void the factory warranty. Would be nice to get a straight answer about this considering that on this forum, there have been several posts on both sides of this issue. Would also appreciate a source in writing if in fact the Mods do not void warranty.

Which mods are OK for warranty; which are not.

[03 Merc]

Slowpoke,

This link will take you to the SEMA page on mods: http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8124 .

However great this may all read the bottom line is if your dealer, like mine:mad: , is not "mod" friendly you need to find a different dealer... If a Service Manager decides to be a jerk and deny a claim you will spend more time, money, and effort than it is worth dealing with them... and then probably end up with a questionable repair job if you "win"...

[Logan]

Here we go again...

People have been modifying their vehicles from stock form for decades. It is generally not in the best interest of the dealer or the company to support you going out and modifying your vehicle.

The bottom line is this, as verifiable by the Magnusson Moss Act. In order for Ford to void your warranty, they must prove that the modification made is the direct or causal factor in the warranty claim.
That being said, a chip, programmed by a competent individual will not be the causal factor in a warranty claim and as such you can't have your warranty voided due to having your vehicle "chipped"...

Common sense rules here. I avoid the issue by removing by chip from the vehicle before taking it in for service and I don't ask my dealership if it's ok to do. That alone puts them in a tight spot because even if they like you, the dealership most times requires them to tell you not to do it.

I would strongly recommend, rather than discussing this all over again, that you go to google.com and do a couple searches the subject. It's been discussed to death on hundreds of forums.

Click on this link HERE (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=magnusson+moss+act) and read any of the hundreds of links that come up...

[Logan]

03Merc, that's an excellent link with awesome materials on the subject.

[Dennis Reinhart]

I agree with Logan, what you have to do is try talking to the service manager, and if he still wants to play that way then ask him why are dealers in Florida and other States buying my package and installing them on the lot and maintaing full warranty, call me I will supply you with a list of dealers that have bought my package and love it I have not had one complaint nor refund.

Dennis

[RancorKeeper]

Originally posted by Logan
The bottom line is this, as verifiable by the Magnusson Moss Act. In order for Ford to void your warranty, they must prove that the modification made is the direct or causal factor in the warranty claim.
Unfortunately, this isn't always how it works. I just wrote something about this, so I'll copy my text about warranty claims.

Maintenance example:

My parents lost a warranty claim with Ford in 1991 because the dealer basically said the engine failure in their wagon was based on lack of proper maintenance, thereby voiding the warranty. Once the dealership made their decision & explained themselves in writing, the ball was in my parents' court as to whether or not they should hire a lawyer & pursue legal action. They consulted with one & he told them it was probably gonna take a while to go to court & then it wasn't a sure win, so they ended up buying a new motor & the dealership installed it at a reduced rate.

Another example:

A Bullitt owner at BullittClub has documented his problems with Ford - he had a chip installed & after numerous problems several months later, the car went in for extensive service. When the heads were pulled, the cylinders on the pass side were scorched & a couple pistons were actually cracked. The dealer said the chip leaned out the fuel & basically burned up the chambers. The chip manufacturer said no way his chip caused a lean fuel condition & so the owner was stuck in the middle. But at no time did Ford ever prove that's what actually happened. He maintains his car was always exhibiting the problems he was having; they just got worse after some of the mods.

And my last example is personal:

The new Tremec 3650 in the GT's & Bullitt's grinds the 1-2 shift; as a result many of them go back to get a new shift fork (mine included). When I took mine in, I was asked if I had installed a new shifter & when I asked why that mattered I was told "It might contribute to the problem." Talking to the technician when I picked the car up later that week, I mentioned I was going to install a Steeda Tri-Ax & he said it was smart that I had waited because the Service Manager probably would've voided the repair, even though there was a TSB issued specifically for that problem. When I asked how they could prove that, he said they usually just say it was installed improperly, because they don't want to get in a pissing contest with the aftermarket manufacturer by saying it's a defective product. Since then, I've gotten in writing that my Ford gears won't void any drivetrain warranty, when installed by a Ford dealership with Ford fluids. So there are certainly dealers out there who will work with you on mods & you can get things in writing if you want to, but I wouldn't just assume the dealership is gonna be an advocate for you if you need warranty work done. So that's my nickel.

[Logan]

Exactly. Point here? Remove your mods before going to the dealer to make a warranty claim. If they don't see it, they can't ***** about it.

[Slowpoke]

Yes - what I think I will do it to just get the Chip, thermostat, wires, and plugs.

These are the mods I can do myself [I think...I hope...].

My question would be.. How much of a performance increase will I see without the gears or the driveshaft? Is it still worth doing?

[Logan]

Absolutely. The chip increases torque by 30ft/lbs throughout the entire power band, it's a very noticable increase.

[tomt41]

Hey- I have always found a $20 bill to the service writer gets me an awful lot of warranty. I have even had warranty work done after the mileage was up- Just told them I called with an appointment and they couldnt fit me in prior to me going over. Depending on how bad the problem was, I would throw the service writer a $20-50 bill-Its always worked for me

[Buford]

At V8SHO we have experienced several owners denied ESP coverage only because they changed their own oil. (No independently verifiable record, like a receipt. Even if you can prove you purchased and a filter they have no independent way of proving it to their own satisfaction.) These were immaculately maintained cars, very clean and never abused.

I prepaid maintenance for the first 30k, which included a transmission service. The dealer neglected to do it and by the time I found out, Ford told me since my 30k maintenance was expired they owed me nothing.

I would recommend you play it very close to the vest with dealerships. I was told because I had non stock rims my struts were not covered. If you expect any satisfaction at a dealership I recommend you pick dealerships very carefully and always restore a car to stock before service.

As Ford uses Oasis to keep a car service history they also apparently also use Oasis to rate customer attitude. You can be black listed as a jerk on Oasis if you get into an argument with a know nothing service writer.

[helifool]

This may have been asked and answered, but what is purpose of the vacant port on the computer if not for a chip????

[MAD-3R]

So that Ford can connect there Diagnoastic equipment to the car I suppose.

[Mikeenh]

MAD-3R,
There is a metal cover that you have to BREAK away to put the chip in. If it was for their use for diagnostics, I think it would have a plastic plug or some other cover that you could remove & replace. Before I got my chip I thought you had to remove a chip to put the new one in. It's sitting there like a computer with an empty slot waiting for more memory.
Damn I LOVE what that chip does :D

[MAD-3R]

Then it may be a generic board that is also sold to Pro racers. Don't know. Hell there maybe a federal law saying that the consumer must have a means of altering there car if they so chose, but as the maker, they can void warrentys. just some WAG's

[cyclone03]

Speaking of chips...........
If the chip is removed prier to going in for service can the service tech detected electronicly if a chip was used?

[MAD-3R]

From what I've read/heard, the computers default progam takes over, and everything is right with the world.

[Logan]

Ok, the port where the chip is connected to is a diagnostic port used to test the board at the factory and for the initial system load. It's then coated with conformal coating and sealed in it's case.

Putting a chip in does throw a code in the computer, but that code can be erased along with any other code by resetting your computer. This is typically done by removing the battery cable for 10-15 minutes. Once that's done, there's no evidence, other than the physical removal of the breakaway tab over the service port on the computer.

[Donald]

Mikeenh

Can you expound on what the chip does for you. Can you really feel the diff?

[helifool]

Marked difference in seat of pants especially in the low end where needed. Shifts faster and firmer.

[Logan]

do a search on dyno and you'll find a pre and post dyno sheet I did... The chip adds 30ft lbs of torque throughout the entire power band...