At the dealer for ETC code

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BrklynExpress

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I've been having the ETC message go on for the past 4 months, and the car would go failsafe. I would restart and have it run normal. Today it just kept getting worse, so I went to the only Ford Mercury Lincoln service center in Brooklyn. I mentioned to the service manager about the extended coil coverage. He said that if they diagnose it and it's only the coils, its free diagnosis and labor. Totally free altogether. But if they find anything at all wrong besides for the coils, I get shlached (pronounced SheLA - hhhh - T) for the 199 diagnosis fee. Told them to get me an oil changed while that suckers in there.
 
Here's how it's supposed to work.

If you have a 2003 with less than 100K miles, they will replace any coils that fail the stress test at no charge. If there is any oil in the plug wells, they will replace the VCGs if, any of the coils failed the stress test.

If you have a 2004 or 2005 with less than 100K miles, they will replace any coils that fail the stress test, so long as there is no oil in the wells. VCGs are not covered for 2004/2005.

2006 has the factory warranty only.

If they find any bad coils, you do not get charged. If replacement of said coils does not correct the issues you were having, then it is your choice to have them do more diagnostics (at your expense) or not to.

If no coils fail, then you are stuck with the diagnostic charge.
 
Ahh I guess I'm not the only one - I literally just dropped my car off about 15 minutes ago because of hesitation when accelerating and all the typical coil nonsense. The dealer I take it to (in PA) is pretty good and I told the guy straight out that I'll not only pay for whatever service is needed, but also buy him a case of beer if its not a bad coil(s). I got a free loaner though which is nice - 2010 Ford Fusion - pretty generic but its got sirius and it's FREE! :)
 
Update

Dealer just called.

Coils are fine, absolutely no problem. I was quoted 1488 to replace the throttle body, and throttle actuators (which he claimed to be on the wheels...or brakes..or whatever)

The $1488 includes a $30 oil change and the $199 diagnostic fee.

What kinda crap is this. for 1488 I can buy another LS. I just remembered why Lincoln dealers are closing down. Because every simple thing is a nightmare or disaster.
 
lol. buy a tb off ebay. Put it on yourself. give the dealer the finger.
 
i would try switching coils #1 & #4 with each other.

if you have a coil(#4) on the way out, the computer may miss read the problem as ETC failure.

i had the same problem about 5 months after the dealer replaced 4 coils for the VCG issue, but the other 4(including #4) passed the stress test, i then switched #1 with #4 and didn't have the problem again, i just replaced that coil as the car started to miss more and more, now she runs like a dream.

i dont know what the tolerance is for a pass on the stress test, but maybe the coil is just starting to fail, but not quite enough to fail the test, its definitely something i would try before dropping $1400
 
So the dealership just called and sure enough it was a coil. Guy quoted me at about $250.00. I told him it's covered cuz I have an 03 - he said "yea it might be, I gotta check the parameters of that service bulletin." Soooooo, if he knew that there was a chance it was covered by this service program, why call me and tell me I owe them money before checking to see. And besides, 03 has basically no parameters and pretty much all coil failures are covered. Why do people gotta be such sneaky a-holes and try to charge me when they know they'll be getting money from Ford anyway.

Guy just called me back and said, "hmmm looks like we can cover it for you." Haha

And BrklynExpress, sorry to hear about that...what year is your car? And I would listen to 1LoudLS above - I've heard the same thing from a couple people. Coils are picky and these cars have all kindsa symptoms because of coil failure. I had an issue with a coil for over a month, car would hesitate, jerk, and just drive like a nightmare - number of times when accelerating, the car went into ETC failsafe mode but never did the CEL come on or anything, which amazed me. At one point I knew a coil was going bad (same symptoms) and it passed the stress test - about a month or so later, my CEL came on and the dealer then said I had a bad coil haha.
 
I already made the decision that I will be buying a Lexus for my next vehicle. I like this car, and don't mind the problems as long AS THE DEALER WORKS ON MY SIDE.
 
BrklynExpress said:
I already made the decision that I will be buying a Lexus for my next vehicle. I like this car, and don't mind the problems as long AS THE DEALER WORKS ON MY SIDE.
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You can get the TBB replaced a lot cheaper than that. It's a really easy part to swap out. Have a trusted mechanic do it. I had mine do the TB on my old '03. I think the part alone was around 300-400 something.
 
myfirstlincoln said:
... Soooooo, if he knew that there was a chance it was covered by this service program, why call me and tell me I owe them money before checking to see. And besides, 03 has basically no parameters and pretty much all coil failures are covered. Why do people gotta be such sneaky a-holes and try to charge me when they know they'll be getting money from Ford anyway...
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That simple. Ford does not pay the dealer nearly as much for this repair as they can charge you for it. So, if you hadn't known about the extended coil warranty, they would've made more money for the same work.
 
BrklynExpress said:
Dealer just called.

Coils are fine, absolutely no problem. I was quoted 1488 to replace the throttle body, and throttle actuators (which he claimed to be on the wheels...or brakes..or whatever)

The $1488 includes a $30 oil change and the $199 diagnostic fee.

What kinda crap is this. for 1488 I can buy another LS. I just remembered why Lincoln dealers are closing down. Because every simple thing is a nightmare or disaster.
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They are talking about replacing both the gas pedal assembly and the throttle body. This means that they couldn't confirm that either were actually faulty. They are guessing. My first guess is that it really is a bad coil. My second guess would be that it is only the throttle body.

If you can do the work yourself, six coils should only cost you a little over $300. I'd start there. Even if that's not the problem, you'll have to do it eventually anyway. Replace the plugs too.
The throttle body is a pretty easy DIY job, if it comes to that.
The gas pedal assembly is also an easy DIY job, but I haven't heard of any of those really failing on an LS.
 
Buy yourself some ebay coils what are they now? I paid what 160 -200 about a year and half ago been working great ever since. Unless you want OEM since you did take the car to the dealer might as well let them rip you off some more. Replace them TECH ARTICLES on the above task bar will show you how. I would try that 1st
 
The only Lexus I would buy would be the last gen GS430, but the interior looks like its out of a 94 camry. All dealers charge a lot for small stuff, especially foreign dealers. Heck, 1488 for this job is something that a benz dealer would charge.
But yeah, back to the point. Whats the best hookup that we have for parts. Is it five star ford? I called Max and left a voicemail for him and he never got back to me.

What's the general results with the ebay coils? I only want to do this once.

He broke it down as follows. 700 and change for the throttle body replacement and labor. The rest was for the throttle actuator..(pedal..assembly i guess), and the oil change and the 199 diagnostic fee.

I walked out paying 250 for an oil change and a diagnostic that told me my tires and brakes were good and everything else was fantastic except for the throttle problem. BUT I ALREADY KNEW THAT GOD DAMMIT.
 
Is anyone aware of what the deal is, in regards to the free coil replacement in Canada? The guy at the local Ford stealership said it only applies to USA, but somehow I doubt he knows what he's talking about.
 
M4rk said:
Is anyone aware of what the deal is, in regards to the free coil replacement in Canada? The guy at the local Ford stealership said it only applies to USA, but somehow I doubt he knows what he's talking about.
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joegr said:
The letters (old version and new version) are posted here:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?p=554839

They do specifically say US, and don't mention Canada.
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can't you just drive over here to have it done (unless of course your in the middle or top)
 
Thanks Joe. Though, I already had the .PDFs.

My coils are fine for now *knock on wood* - I just want to be prepared in case I get a misfire. Looks like i'll be SOL..
 
Just an update. I've been driving with this problem, waiting to get good pricing on the ETC. So it looks like it's not the coils. The problem is either very bad, or it goes away entirely for a few days. Yesterday I drove 5 miles each way to a friends house and had no problem. The day before it shut off 6 times on the highway, I had to slip it into neutral and restart it. When I get on the throttle on the heavy side, it seems to sound like its choking and hesitating. Again, not always, but usually accompanied by "limp mode". The dealer said to replace both the throttle actuator and the ETC. I am going to try to go just with the actuator since it's pretty cheap, and then see what happens.
 
BrklynExpress said:
Just an update. I've been driving with this problem, waiting to get good pricing on the ETC. So it looks like it's not the coils. The problem is either very bad, or it goes away entirely for a few days. Yesterday I drove 5 miles each way to a friends house and had no problem. The day before it shut off 6 times on the highway, I had to slip it into neutral and restart it. When I get on the throttle on the heavy side, it seems to sound like its choking and hesitating. Again, not always, but usually accompanied by "limp mode". The dealer said to replace both the throttle actuator and the ETC. I am going to try to go just with the actuator since it's pretty cheap, and then see what happens.
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That surely sounds like coils, usually #3 or #2, but it could be any of them.
 
+100 if that doesn't sound like coils. then nothing does!

so you haven't tried switching around any coils (as mentioned above) have you?

if you dont want to try the cheapest and easiest troubleshooting, then just go ahead and sell the LS and get your Lexus corolla.
 
+100 if that doesn't sound like coils. then nothing does!

so you haven't tried switching around any coils (as mentioned above) have you?

if you dont want to try the cheapest and easiest troubleshooting, then just go ahead and sell the LS and get your Lexus corolla.
 
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