From bad to worse

[vxarctic]

I noticed an exhaust smell around the start of November and made an appointment with my dealership who couldn't see the car till December 9th. During the week before Thanksgiving I noticed the Bronco was having trouble starting. Called the dealership, same story not till the 9th.

On the 29th of November the Bronco wouldn't start. I had replaced the battery back in October, tried swapping it out and still no go. Called Ford pass and after waiting 3 hours for them to find a tow they told me couldn't get one. I called up a tow and they said they'd pick it the next day.

I ended up getting a rental car since I recently moved to the area and don't have anyone that can help.

So, the 9th of December comes and the dealership says they can't figure it out. On the 10th they say they believe the issue is a sensor. The rub is that the part is on back order till January.

I've had the Bronco for 3 years at this point and only have barely 14k miles on it. Ford won't cover the part under warranty, but I did get an extended warranty with CNA. So the repair went from over $600 to $200. But, the repair is only supposed to take a couple of hours so the insurance will only cover the rental for a day. They won't do anything for back orders.

Car insurance won't do anything either since it's a mechanical issue.
I was already getting in deep with the rental for a few weeks, now it looks like I'll need it for another month.

The whole situation is ridiculous.
I feel so let down and dejected by this whole situation.

And I still haven't gotten to the exhaust smell issue. I read somone had the same problem and they replaced their catalytic converter. There's a defective valve that allows too much cold air into the CC while it's hot, causing it to crack. Theirs cracked right by the turbo assembly. Because it's part of the exhaust system, you get the exhaust smell.

I'm not expecting that to be a fun one either.

Anyways, I have the rental for one more day and then I need to figure something out. Hope everyone else is having a nice Christmas.

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[MoFoCo]

Do you have any other dealers nearby? Service departments can vary wildly from one dealer to the next. Many of them are flat-out incompetent. Your dealer's backlog may be because their technicians keep quitting.

I had an odd noise in my Transit, and my nearest dealer spent weeks screwing around with it to no resolution (and no communication). Took it to another dealer and the technician had it diagnosed on the ride-along.

 

[vxarctic]

Do you have any other dealers nearby? Service departments can vary wildly from one dealer to the next. Many of them are flat-out incompetent. Your dealer's backlog may be because their technicians keep quitting.

I had an odd noise in my Transit, and my nearest dealer spent weeks screwing around with it to no resolution (and no communication). Took it to another dealer and the technician had it diagnosed on the ride-along.

This dealer is an hour and half away, the other dealer is two hours in the other direction. It's rough being rural. There was a dealership 30 minutes away, but turns out Ford pulled their franchise half a year ago. Just as well because they scammed me on an install.

I called them asking if their parts department could check with over distributors or dealerships for the part, but it didn't sound promising.

 

[MoFoCo]

That sucks. If it's out of warranty you will probably have better luck at an independent mechanic closer to home, and might cost less in the long run.

 

[vxarctic]

Part Number is GN1Z-6C315A it's a crankshaft position sensor. Called a couple places, just say it's on back order.

 

[B-Dog15]

Part Number is GN1Z-6C315A it's a crankshaft position sensor. Called a couple places, just say it's on back order.

https://parts.lakelandford.com/p/Engine-Crankshaft-Position-Sensor/94543288/GN1Z6C315A.html

Here’s a link to the part you need from Lakeland Ford. Looks like it’s available to be ordered. Might be worth a shot and then just bring it to wherever you want to pay to have it fixed.

 

[vxarctic]

https://parts.lakelandford.com/p/Engine-Crankshaft-Position-Sensor/94543288/GN1Z6C315A.html

Here’s a link to the part you need from Lakeland Ford. Looks like it’s available to be ordered. Might be worth a shot and then just bring it to wherever you want to pay to have it fixed.

Thanks, yeah I'll give them a call tomorrow when they open and see if they actually have it in stock. A lot of these dealership sites don't keep active inventory. You order, then they order from Ford and then ship you the part.

 

[davidg4781]

That is rural! I lived in a really small town for 6 years and I think there were maybe 4 Fords within an hour.

So they're saying the sensor is keeping it from starting but they'll still have to sort out the exhaust smell once they get it started? And you're not able to drive it for now?

I would maybe look at mechanics local to that Ford or the next Ford closest to them. That mechanic may even find something else is wrong with it.

Before Ford, I was with Honda. I had a local dealership totally misdiagnose and a/c issue but a local shop found the issue and fixed it within hours. Similar issue with the clutch master/slave cylinders.

 

[MoFoCo]

I can't find any posts about failed sensors, other than one that was chewed by rodents and a bent crank sensor (which resulted in engine replacement!?).

Not to say it's impossible that your sensor is defective, but it does give me the idea they may be barking up the wrong tree. I'd get a second opinion before they waste any more of your time.

 

[vxarctic]

Nobody has this part! Wild!

I can't find any posts about failed sensors, other than one that was chewed by rodents and a bent crank sensor (which resulted in engine replacement!?).

Not to say it's impossible that your sensor is defective, but it does give me the idea they may be barking up the wrong tree. I'd get a second opinion before they waste any more of your time.

I'll consider it. But honestly not crazy about the prospect of paying for another tow to somewhere that can't help either.

 

[Mwittke5857]

I spoze I'm blessed I can walk to my dealer in less than 10 minutes (weather permitting). Small repairs and general maintenance I can do myself or in inclement weather, I use a friend's shop who is at least as thorough as I am, perhaps a little bit more so. This issue with parts on backorder BLOWS and the quality of parts you get these day even more so. Can't keep blaming the Rona, that was 2 years ago. Manufacturers need to get with the program

 

[Rogerthat898]

Maybe this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166897908341

 

[vxarctic]

Maybe this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166897908341

I actually reached out to them last Friday.

Good news is that I found another seller. They said the part was new and on hand. Should hopefully ship some time today. With some luck maybe the dealership will have it by the end of the week.

 

[vxarctic]

Just an update. They got the sensor in the mail Friday afternoon on the 20th. I was told they'd get it installed right away. So anyways, they called me later and said they'd get to it on Monday the 23rd. So, on the 23rd they told me the sensor was installed and the engine still wasn't starting correctly and that they ordered a replacement starter. That thing they checked twice on two different visits and said it was fine. Should arrive on the 24th and that it might be done, but to expect it finished on the 26th due to the Holiday.

So, on the 26th I got to pick it up. The back seat had Motor oil on it and the leather has borderline punctures. Not all the way through, but you can put your finger in the stretched areas. Turns out the mechanics put something heavy in the back seat. Didn't say what. I pointed out the issue and all they did was offer a rag to clean the oil.

They told me they believe the smell was the starter because they could smell the electric burn smell very strongly. I told them the smell I was experiencing was exhaust. I'm fairly familiar with burned electronics, working in IT and all.

They swore up and down they looked at the catalytic converter and that it was fine. I don't really believe them. Still getting exhaust wiffs.

I was really let down. With all the wasted time and all the money from the rental for not having the car for a month, because the mechanics couldn't do common sense trouble shooting without a diagnostic tool. And to top it off they messed up my back seat.

Nearest dealerships are an hour away in either direction, and I'm sure not going back to this one. I think I might need a change.

 

[Chiefthepup]

Just an update. They got the sensor in the mail Friday afternoon on the 20th. I was told they'd get it installed right away. So anyways, they called me later and said they'd get to it on Monday the 23rd. So, on the 23rd they told me the sensor was installed and the engine still wasn't starting correctly and that they ordered a replacement starter. That thing they checked twice on two different visits and said it was fine. Should arrive on the 24th and that it might be done, but to expect it finished on the 26th due to the Holiday.

So, on the 26th I got to pick it up. The back seat had Motor oil on it and the leather has borderline punctures. Not all the way through, but you can put your finger in the stretched areas. Turns out the mechanics put something heavy in the back seat. Didn't say what. I pointed out the issue and all they did was offer a rag to clean the oil.

They told me they believe the smell was the starter because they could smell the electric burn smell very strongly. I told them the smell I was experiencing was exhaust. I'm fairly familiar with burned electronics, working in IT and all.

They swore up and down they looked at the catalytic converter and that it was fine. I don't really believe them. Still getting exhaust wiffs.

I was really let down. With all the wasted time and all the money from the rental for not having the car for a month, because the mechanics couldn't do common sense trouble shooting without a diagnostic tool. And to top it off they messed up my back seat.

Nearest dealerships are an hour away in either direction, and I'm sure not going back to this one. I think I might need a change.

No answers here. Just wanted to say I’m sorry you’re having to deal with all that. What an absolute nightmare

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