Stupid Customer Tricks - Part 3

Keith Browning · June 30, 2006

Okay, we all cruise the Internet and I am sure most of us have read posts on some of the other forums about not wanting their trucks reprogrammed, for what ever reason. I no longer argue with them. But have you run into a customer that has taken steps to keep you from connecting to the DLC?

... 3-2-1 I hear Jim Warman cracking his knuckles in front of his keyboard. Posted Image

I find this a little disturbing. Posted Image

Jim Warman · June 30, 2006

Keith, anything I might say would probably turn into a diatribe.... Did you ask this guy if he is registered with TDS?

Canadians are a little more receptive to life as it is and don't generally get this proactive with this sort of stuff..... makes life a little easier.

FWIW, there aren't many different key combos for Master padlocks, I'm sure I could come up with a key (Lord knows I've been squirreling them away for a lot of years)..... the legal ramifications could be something interesting.

The obvious questions... what was the truck in for? Did you need the DLC? If so, how did it go????

Most important... did you call the guy a dork to his face?

Keith Browning · June 30, 2006

Quote:

Did you ask this guy if he is registered with TDS?

Unfortunately, this did not roll into my shop because I would love to meet someone so distraught over having his truck reprogrammed that he would spend the time to fabricate this lock. Posted Image

The photo came from a TDS member who I asked if I could have a copy of the photos and use them - without asking why he said yes. Since I am kind natured I won't use them for evil purposes. Posted Image

Calling these people Dorks won't get me anywhere but I do hit people right between the eyes with the truth under all situations. If the vehicle came in for something that required using a scan tool I would do what you say you would do: park the truck and move on.

Since I have read all of the owners arguments for not reflashing a truck I was wondering where many of us technicians stand on this.

My favorite accusations are that "we" blatantly go flashing PCM's just to collect the extra pay or that we were told by Ford to flash every truck that comes in. In actuality, Ford has recently stated that we are NOT to reprogram any car or truck (under warranty) without the authority of the Hot Line, Recall, TSB or SSM. I think the time frame on that is in the first year or two after the in service date. (I'll check on that part)

I would love to create a list of when and why we reflash diesel PCM's and post it just to set the record straight.

jaysonfordtech · July 1, 2006

My fav stupid customer trick was the guy who rolls in with low coolant and dead hole. I pull codes p0603, I look at the a pillar and find the holder for an edge chip, look in the back seat and find the box and the controler, look under the hood and find some of the wiring. I pulled the service manager out with the digital camera snapped some shots and then got to enjoy telling the customer that the nuked motor was not warranty even though it only had 20k on it. I love ruining a dumb customers week.

Jim Warman · July 1, 2006

Kieth, you are right about the about face on reflashing as far as service publications are concerned.... I think it was an SSM that directed us to stop reflashing unless we had one of several concerns...... all this in spite of the recorded message heard while waiting for Hotline to answer - "Ensure that the latest calibration.....".

We still have to quote a change authority in order to get paid for a reflash.

OTOH, if the RO states that there is something outstanding as far as campaigns is concerned, we are instructed to do it.... a no brainer, there.

Two reasons I can see for this reluctance to have the PCM, etc. updated.... first was that gaggle of early reflashes that seemed to have no rhyme or reason (other than to create new concerns) but we need to realize that the programmers were likely just as green as us guys in the trenches. It was a hell of a learning curve - even though it has flattened a little, we are still seeing new concerns as the equipment ages and product knowledge improves...

Second, there is the change to tow/haul that so many complain of... Our Edmonton tech instructor indicated that there have been cases where, on slippery roads, the rear wheels have started skidding due to the agressive nature of the shift scheduling. Notwithstanding that the changes may also help extend transmission life.

Always a wild card in the equation is the number of owners that have never had a diesel truck before... most of these guys, I firmly believe, would be further ahead with a double prescription of Viagra - they have no need of a diesel (which appears to have replaced the red sportscar as the midlife "penis extender") and would have been further ahead with a gasser.

Jayson, as you may have guessed, I can be rather outspoken.... I'm sure that you will find that your experience with the Edge isn't going to be the last - I have one customer that keeps reinstalling the chip on his 7.3 even though pulling the chip always fixes his running concerns... well, all of the running concerns except the low boost from the retail exhaust repair he doesn't want done.

Keith Browning · July 1, 2006

The new "rule" on PCM reflashing is effective on 2006 models and newer. This applies to warranty claims only.

Posted Image

I read that recalibrating a PCM without being directed by a FSA, SSM, TSB or an engineer's request was considered "tampering with the emmissions system." EXCUSE ME? I was told long ago that installing an available up to date calibration at any time was advisable. Talk about mixed signals!

jaysonfordtech · July 1, 2006

Jim you wrote...

Jayson, as you may have guessed, I can be rather outspoken....

I have the same problem, my bulldog mouth overrides my chihuahua ass. I got deleted from the FMC message board for a post named another broken promise about ford running away as fast as they can from last years promise of 250k hybrids. I guess they did not want that info out on fmc dealer.

Keith Browning · July 1, 2006

I have the same problem, my bulldog mouth overrides my chihuahua ass. I got deleted from the FMC message board for a post named another broken promise about ford running away as fast as they can from last years promise of 250k hybrids. I guess they did not want that info out on FMC dealer.

Is that like making battleship threats that your rowboat ass can't fulfill? Posted Image

Anyway, we like Jim's free expression of what he's thinking. The truth hurts sometimes so put on a band aid and get on with it! As for the FMC message boards and many forums on the Internet, they all edit and moderate with a heavy hand. That was my motivation for this web site... and the fact that you really can't have a professional or technical discussion without some know it all owner chiming in with some really stupid question or comment. Posted Image

Jayson, when you do eventually jump ship you will still be welcome here.

Jim Warman · July 1, 2006

I should have started a list of verbotten terms a long time ago.... Our message board here in Canada is separate from the US board.

It appears that I have upset the "censor-bot" a few times myself...... instead of being posted, my message returns a "your post is under review" and my words disappear into the "odd sock" portion of the universe (that's a laundry joke for you guys with dirty socks on).

On the flip side, I got a free shirt and other goodies from John Cannataro (the Canadian message board head honcho) for pissing off a bunch of whining, prima-donna techs over some long forgotten thread dealing with product knowledge (or lack of it)....

I could be the first Ford tech in history to get an "atta-boy" AND banned from the message board at the same time Posted Image

snw blue by you · July 3, 2006

Okay, we all cruise the Internet and I am sure most of us have read posts on some of the other forums about not wanting their trucks reprogrammed, for what ever reason. I no longer argue with them. But have you run into a customer that has taken steps to keep you from connecting to the DLC?

... 3-2-1 I hear Jim Warman cracking his knuckles in front of his keyboard.

I find this a little disturbing.

My best one happened on the now defunct 6.0L PSD site, where I answered someone's thread about installing a dummy EGR valve.

I'm sure some on here remember. Boy did I get a ration of shit for that!

As you can probably tell,I have never cared what anyone thought,or lost any sleep.

You want the truth,I'll give it to ya. If ya want me to lie to ya,so ya can muddle along in your stupidity, go somewhere else.

But hey, that's just me.

Brad Clayton · July 9, 2006

customer came in the other day with an '06 for its first oil change. I could tell this truck was this guys new baby and he was well versed in 6.0l tech from surfing the web (a double edged sword to say the least). He causually asked what boost the truck should make due to fact that he couldn't get a true figure from the gage in the cluster, I'm assuming, i said no problem. I grabbed the NGS+ and headed for the truck and the dude almost freaked out on me. He must have told me a dozen times that he didn't want a reflash or any tampering.

Reminds me of the time I had a umbilical hernia. The nurse came in to shave me and I made damn sure he knew it was hernia in my belly button and not further down if you know what I mean.