2023 Wildtrak won't start, Dealership has no idea what's wrong. They are blaming my Kicker Key 200.4

[Sigmanutz]

UPDATE!

There's good news and bad news.

The good news:
They have it working and even complimented the audio of the upgrade. The majority of people that find themselves in a similar boat can ignore the bad news. They traced the problem back to the GWM (or whatever related module) not being fully seated in the Security/Perimeter Plus boxes.

The bad news:
The Ford service manager is claiming that his tech has 13 hours sunk into this problem, and being that I installed the Perimeter Plus, I am supposedly not covered by my warranty. I understand that he has to pay his man, and if that's the way it is, so be it.

My problem with it:
I only had to install the Perimeter Plus box because I was told and reassured that my Bronco came with it. Even after having to ask the sales manager numerous times. Yes I did purchase the box on my own. Yes I did install it on my own. But the conspiracy theorist in me wants to know why my car functioned normally all the way up to that night? Like I said before: the service manager has to recoup his money somehow. Is it possible that they fixed whatever was wrong, and just told me that the module was unplugged? Like I said if I'm responsible, that's fine. I just want things to be as equal as possible (however irrational that may sound). Any advice on maybe what to say would be much appreciated. I have to pick it up in the morning and he has not given me any kind of number yet. Thanks guys!

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[swooshdave]

UPDATE!

There's good news and bad news.

The good news:
They have it working and even complimented the audio of the upgrade. The majority of people that find themselves in a similar boat can ignore the bad news. They traced the problem back to the GWM (or whatever module) not being fully seated in the Security/Perimeter Plus boxes.

The bad news:
The Ford service manager is claiming that his tech has 13 hours sunk into this problem, and being that I installed the Perimeter Plus, I am supposedly not covered by my warranty. I understand that he has to pay his man, and if that's the way it is, so be it.

My problem with it:
I only had to install the Perimeter Plus box because I was told and reassured that my Bronco came with it. Even after having to ask the sales manager numerous times. Yes I did purchase the box on my own. Yes I did install it on my own. But the conspiracy theorist in me wants to know why my car functioned normally all the way up to that night? Like I said before: the service manager has to recoup his money somehow. Is it possible that they fixed whatever was wrong, and just told me that the module was unplugged? Like I said if I'm responsible, that's fine. I just want things to be as equal as possible (however irrational that may sound). Any advice on maybe what to say would be much appreciated. I have to pick it up in the morning and he has not given me any kind of number yet. Thanks guys!

Expect a number north of $1500.

 

[jwoobs]

If the underlying problem was a ford part, they could submit to get reimbursement from Ford.

it would be silly to ask a customer to pay 13hrs of diag and burn that goodwill if there was a chance Ford would pay.

Having said that, 13 hours is a lot of time.
pull codes, check the battery, check ecm and starter cables, then check out the mods after that.

 

[ScLeCo]

Ford isn't going to pay for this. The dealership isn't going to pay for it. That leaves you.


Note to self: Check connections on security module.

 

[indio22]

UPDATE!

There's good news and bad news.

The good news:
They have it working and even complimented the audio of the upgrade. The majority of people that find themselves in a similar boat can ignore the bad news. They traced the problem back to the GWM (or whatever module) not being fully seated in the Security/Perimeter Plus boxes.

The bad news:
The Ford service manager is claiming that his tech has 13 hours sunk into this problem, and being that I installed the Perimeter Plus, I am supposedly not covered by my warranty. I understand that he has to pay his man, and if that's the way it is, so be it.

My problem with it:
I only had to install the Perimeter Plus box because I was told and reassured that my Bronco came with it. Even after having to ask the sales manager numerous times. Yes I did purchase the box on my own. Yes I did install it on my own. But the conspiracy theorist in me wants to know why my car functioned normally all the way up to that night? Like I said before: the service manager has to recoup his money somehow. Is it possible that they fixed whatever was wrong, and just told me that the module was unplugged? Like I said if I'm responsible, that's fine. I just want things to be as equal as possible (however irrational that may sound). Any advice on maybe what to say would be much appreciated. I have to pick it up in the morning and he has not given me any kind of number yet. Thanks guys!

Maybe you can play up how it's a security component offered by Ford, that the sales manager had said was already installed? Even though you installed yourself, you do have a point in that regard, you shouldn't have had to install it.

Then hope they don't rake you over the coals with shop hours. Otherwise I'm afraid you are looking at a "Johnson rod" scenario.

 

[Sigmanutz]

Maybe you can play up how it's a security component offered by Ford, that the sales manager had said was already installed? Even though you installed yourself, you do have a point in that regard, you shouldn't have had to install it.

Then hope they don't rake you over the coals with shop hours. Otherwise I'm afraid you are looking at a "Johnson rod" scenario.

I shit you not, the original explanation given to me prior to any work being performed "Your serpentine belt probably fell off"

 

[Sigmanutz]

I thought I made it pretty clear that I am taking the blame, even though I had nothing to do with this. The car would have been inoperable the week before this, had something really been unplugged with the Perimeter Security Box. I will obviously be bent and raked over the coals. I was just asking for any advice that will help me not to be completely taken advantage of.

When I was asked what was after-market, and I told them the Perimeter Plus Security Box, they should have looked at that within the first 10-30 minutes, not 13 hours later. Thanks anyways

 

[ScLeCo]

Counter Point. YOU should have looked at that first before taking it anywhere.

 

[BroncoWTFAN]

I thought I made it pretty clear that I am taking the blame, even though I had nothing to do with this. The car would have been inoperable the week before this, had something really been unplugged with the Perimeter Security Box. I will obviously be bent and raked over the coals. I was just asking for any advice that will help me not to be completely taken advantage of.

When I was asked what was after-market, and I told them the Perimeter Plus Security Box, they should have looked at that within the first 10-30 minutes, not 13 hours later. Thanks anyways

Sh*t happens in life and we all learn from our mistakes along with others. The only comment going forward we be to always trace back last work done. In this case you installed something that was not seated correctly or came loose. When I heard Perimeter Plus box I had a feeling it was going to come down to that. I think others even were saying that as well. Glad it's fixed and you are back on the road. In a few months or even sooner you forget all about this incident. Happy trails!

 

[mpeugeot]

Counter Point - it should not have taken a competent technician 13 hours of trouble shooting... He sucks. I would probably offer to go 50/50, because he shouldn't have sucked so bad and because you should have checked your mods first.

 

[Sigmanutz]

For any intelligent person, it is pretty obvious that it should not have taken a skilled technician longer than 30 minutes to determine an aftermarket part was causing trouble. I decided to be an honest person and not remove the equipment prior to sending it up there. And for that, I am extremely guilty. Happy Trails!

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Oh boy, where to start? I guess first off, the only real modifications I've made to the vehicle include the Perimeter Plus Security System that did not come on the Bronco, but was ordered and installed successfully by me AND the Kicker Key 200.4 amplifier that the vast majority of the (audio)community has installed under their steering wheel. I used the PlugnPlay wiring harness from Hoel Wiring which I purchased for ~$250. I purchased the vehicle approximately 3 weeks ago. I also purchased Ford's highest warranty service contract.

What happened:
I went for a cruise at approximately 9:30pm last Thursday evening (8/17/23). Prior to reaching the end of my road, I noticed that my A/C headunit lights were dark - they were not illuminated like normal. I immediately turned around, parked in the garage, and turned off the car. I gave it a minute and tried to restart it. The car fails to start. There appears to be some sort of battery drain, but after a charge/jump, the interior and headlights will come on, even the console screens will turn on. However it fails to crank. I don't even hear it trying to start. I have read several posts where a faulty starter is the culprit, but it's really tough to say if my problem is the same as everyone else's.

Where we're currently at:
The Bronco is currently at the only local dealership in my town. They have not explicitly said that the amplifier is the cause of the problem. HOWEVER. They have countlessly reminded me, to ad nauseam, I might add, that I was not to modify the Bronco in any way. They have repeatedly told me over and over how doing so will permanently void my warranty. The technician met with the service manager and myself earlier this afternoon. He has troubleshooted almost everything he can think of, and is currently inspecting the "gateway.

Hopefully it doesn't come to:
Legal fights. The dealership made me sign an arbitration agreement prior to purchasing the vehicle, and now I'm being told that I may have waived my rights to a lemon law? Has anyone had any experience like this? It's largely expected by most people that if the dealership's technicians are unable to diagnose the problem, naturally they will blame it on anything considered aftermarket.

What is my recourse? Do I have any options? Did I just blow 70K? Does anyone have a lead on a possible fix I can relay to the technician? Any advice is much appreciated, as this community has been nothing but helpful from the beginning. Thank you.

I see you're in SC, here's the lemon law for us:

https://consumer.sc.gov/business-resourceslaws/lemon-law

Just a quick glance and there's nothing you can sign away but there's a POC if you have questions.

If you don't mind, who's the dealer?

 

[Dlars99]

Finding a good tech who knows his stuff is a rarity now. I’m on the HD diesel side of things but we have the same problem. The techs look outstanding on paper but get stumped if the computer can’t tell them what’s wrong.

 

[Sigmanutz]

I see you're in SC, here's the lemon law for us:

https://consumer.sc.gov/business-resourceslaws/lemon-law

Just a quick glance and there's nothing you can sign away but there's a POC if you have questions.

If you don't mind, who's the dealer?

McDaniel's Ford

 

[BAUS67]

UPDATE!


........................... But the conspiracy theorist in me wants to know why my car functioned normally all the way up to that night?

.................................

I'm noy trying to be a Debby downer nor point the blame anywhere, but you did ask this question.

I have worked on all stuff mechanical since I was 12 and I'm in my mid 50's, just for reference. I can say I have seen it more than once and I have had it happen to me, more than once. If and electrical connection in todays automotive world is not fully seated and locked together it WILL vibrate apart and over time will loose enough contact and not transfer the voltage/signal. I have broken clips that hold some of these connections and said "F$%^K it, it'll work", and it did, only to have an issue a few days later. Some instances a zip tie will do wonders to help that scenario. But back to my main point. You could have plugged it together, not gotten it fully seated but made enough contact to work. Then after driving said vehicle for a week or two, or even a month for that matter, that connection can, and will (Murphy's Law), come apart enough to loose connection and not transfer the signal.

As a consolation price a GOOD tech should have found it in the first 1/2 hour maybe an hour at tops. As said earlier first thing is to disconnect anything added. Plug and play on the amp would have been a walk in the park to swap around then check the alarm module and BINGO problem solved.

Sorry for all your troubles Will, it can be very frustrating, I have been down that road A LOT over the years.

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