Dealer wants to keep car for 2-3 weeks before they can look at "Powertrain Malfunction" warning. Typical?

[shark]

Our Mach-E GT threw a "powertrain malfunction" warning one morning not long ago that went away and hasn't come back. There didn't appear to be any affect on the car's performance, but I scheduled service at the Ford dealership where we purchased the vehicle, with the earliest appointment being about 10 days out. The morning of my scheduled service I received a VM from the service manager informing me that it would have to be handled by their "electric specialist" and the vehicle would have to be left at the dealer for about 2-3 weeks before he would be available to look at it. I don't know why they can't just let me know the day the tech is available to look at it and I could drop it off that day. Is this typical? Any recommendations?

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[Gimme_my_MME]

Yes this is typical and unfortunate. Have you had anyone check your VIN to see what the code was to know if it is anything worth leaving at the dealer or if it was just a glitch?

 

[shark]

Who can check my VIN for codes? Is this something that I can do online or do I need to use an OBD2 scanner?

 

[AKgrampy]

Who can check my VIN for codes? Is this something that I can do online or do I need to use an OBD2 scanner?

There are some forum members willing to look these things up. There is a thread on it.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Who can check my VIN for codes? Is this something that I can do online or do I need to use an OBD2 scanner?

If you have a code scanner, you can scan it yourself. I believe the code for the blown HVBJB is P0ADE. See this thread for more info: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ers-biggest-fear-facts-and-info-thread.18143/

 

[Mach-Lee]

Who can check my VIN for codes? Is this something that I can do online or do I need to use an OBD2 scanner?

I can.

 

[shark]

I can.

Thanks, I'll send you a DM

 

[Mach-Lee]

Yes this is typical and unfortunate. Have you had anyone check your VIN to see what the code was to know if it is anything worth leaving at the dealer or if it was just a glitch?

Who can check my VIN for codes? Is this something that I can do online or do I need to use an OBD2 scanner?

Uh, I'm not seeing anything in the past week or two, but back in October you had a P0929:77 which is a common gearshift module (GSM) error. It's caused when the gearshift rotates out of Park without stepping on the brake first, you can trigger this by fiddling with it while parked. You will get a powertrain fault, but it will completely go away the next time you cycle the ignition. There is a GSM update that will help prevent the error, but ultimately the fix is to replace the GSM if the problem continues after updating. Mention SSM 51191 to your dealer. This is not a serious error (just a software glitch) and you can drive the car normally without concern.

 

[Logal727]

I would explain that there’s no reason to leave your working car for 3 weeks for their convenience. They can let you know when the tech is in. Sounds like it’s just the GSM glitch anyways.

 

[shark]

Uh, I'm not seeing anything in the past week or two, but back in October you had a P0929:77 which is a common gearshift module (GSM) error. It's caused when the gearshift rotates out of Park without stepping on the brake first, you can trigger this by fiddling with it while parked. You will get a powertrain fault, but it will completely go away the next time you cycle the ignition. There is a GSM update that will help prevent the error, but ultimately the fix is to replace the GSM if the problem continues after updating. Mention SSM 51191 to your dealer. This is not a serious error (just a software glitch) and you can drive the car normally without concern.

Thanks, it was about a month ago when we saw the message.

 

[Mirak]

Our Mach-E GT threw a "powertrain malfunction" warning one morning not long ago that went away and hasn't come back. There didn't appear to be any affect on the car's performance, but I scheduled service at the Ford dealership where we purchased the vehicle, with the earliest appointment being about 10 days out. The morning of my scheduled service I received a VM from the service manager informing me that it would have to be handled by their "electric specialist" and the vehicle would have to be left at the dealer for about 2-3 weeks before he would be available to look at it. I don't know why they can't just let me know the day the tech is available to look at it and I could drop it off that day. Is this typical? Any recommendations?

Good god. NO. THAT IS NOT TYPICAL.

Here’s the deal, there is a known bug where the car throws out sporadic powertrain malfunction error messages. It has happened to me three times over the course of 2 years of ownership. It has never caused an issue. It often occurs in conjunction with an overnight garage charging session for whatever reason.

Unless you just want a free crappy rental car from Ford for a few weeks, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY ZERO REASON FOR YOUR CAR TO SIT IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR A SPECIALIST.

Take your car back, and just drive it, or find another service center.

 

[Mirak]

Yes this is typical and unfortunate. Have you had anyone check your VIN to see what the code was to know if it is anything worth leaving at the dealer or if it was just a glitch?

I hope you didn’t mean to suggest that the OP actually leave his car at the ‘ship for three weeks for this bug… That would be really crappy advice. Sorry if I misread what you said.

 

[shark]

I never left it with them. Once they called me the morning of my appointment and left a VM to tell me I would have to leave it for 2-3 weeks, I never bothered to drop it off. I figured it was just a glitch since it went away. I'll reschedule if they can fix it the day I drop it off. I'm going to give them a call and complain about it.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

I hope you didn’t mean to suggest that the OP actually leave his car at the ‘ship for three weeks for this bug… That would be really crappy advice. Sorry if I misread what you said.

No I'm not suggesting that at all and think it is ridiculous

 

[Logal727]

I never left it with them. Once they called me the morning of my appointment and left a VM to tell me I would have to leave it for 2-3 weeks, I never bothered to drop it off. I figured it was just a glitch since it went away. I'll reschedule if they can fix it the day I drop it off. I'm going to give them a call and complain about it.

it literally takes 10 minutes to update it through FDRS for the GSM, 15 minutes if they are following the steps and actually hooking it up to a 12v charger

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