Question on TSBS

[Andy Szkutak]

I read the edmunds.com for my tracs tsbs listed...theres over 170 of them! what do they mean, they are from various parts of the truck. does the dealer have to fix these for free or something? if someone could further explain this id appreciate it.

thanks

andy

 

[FlipTrac_511]

As far as I know, TSBs are known issues with a given vehicle. It gives a description of an issue and procedures on how to fix it. If your Trac is having a particular problem and there is a TSB on it, then it will be fixed under warranty so long as you're still within the 3yr/36k mile. And I suppose you may still be covered if you have an extended warranty.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

TSB's (technical service bulletins) are just that, descriptions of known problems that have occured on the vehicle and the reconmmended corrective action. For example a TSB may state that some vehicles may have a hose that is rubbing and causing a water leak. The TSB might state to inspect the particular hose and provide a rubber spacer between the rubbing hose and engine, or replace hose, etc. Not all vehicles may exhibit this problem. The TSB does state if the problem exist, here is the recommended fix. Obviously if your vehicle is under warranty the fix is covered. A call back is a required repair on the affected vehicles regardless of if it's under warranty or not.

 

[Dreman]

Some dealerships use the TSB's as a way to make a quick buck without much thought, too. I had a 1985 Ford LTD LX many years ago, and it had an idle speed problem. Whenever it warmed up, the idle became very erratic, and would go up and down between 500-1000 rpm at idle. The dealership took one look at it, checked their TSB's, and decided it needed some new circuit based on what the TSB's said. $350 later, it didn't change it at all. I took it back, and they put it back in the shop while I waited. They came back with some other sensor, and the service manager said (exact quote) "we think it's this now". I told him if he couldn't tell me what it was, with all their electronic tests and expensive mechanics, then put it back the way it was and I would live with it. I can change parts with the best of them, but a true mechanic can diagnose the problem and fix it the first time.



I bought that sensor from another dealer ($35 instead of the $60 they quoted me!) and it didn't fix it either. It took a local mechanic who was irritated that he couldn't figure it out to find an obscure temp. sensor buried in the heater hose.



The dealership was Tommy Vaughn Ford in Houston. Great sales dept. and Ford Motorsports parts, but truly lousy service dept.



TSB's are not free if out of the warranty. And they may not even fix the problem.