Coolant valve broken, no parts, buyback: Fix#92

[Ted23Lightning]

I'm on it.

Yay

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[Dahveed]

I'm on it.

Brian, your participation in this forum is so awesome. We know you can't respond to everyone, but know that it is appreciated, even from those of us that have not had any issues with their Lightnings.

 

[kubel]

This similar issue with parts unavailability happened not long after the Ford Focus Electric was discontinued. Owners still under warranty had to get their cars bought back because Ford could not honor their warranty obligations. @TomMoloughney at StateOfCharge seemed to think this wouldn't happen since FFE was a compliance car and Ford sold so many Lightnings, but I think this is an early indicator that previous behaviors are a more solid predictor than hopes and dreams.

 

[ZSC100]

This similar issue with parts unavailability happened not long after the Ford Focus Electric was discontinued. Owners still under warranty had to get their cars bought back because Ford could not honor their warranty obligations. @TomMoloughney at StateOfCharge seemed to think this wouldn't happen since FFE was a compliance car and Ford sold so many Lightnings, but I think this is an early indicator that previous behaviors are a more solid predictor than hopes and dreams.

I think this is an anomoly, and Ford will actually bring back the Lightning soon with lots of cross parts. I recently found out this particular truck of the OP's has a VERY checkered past form CA and I think the generous and quick buyback offer is a result of some weird combination of what is going on with the coolant valve + the past. Still, this is such a simple issue that has caused a huge PR black eye, yet again, but in the grand scheme of 100k+ Lightnings out there this is not even a blip on the Ford statistical radar.

 

[Ted23Lightning]

This similar issue with parts unavailability happened not long after the Ford Focus Electric was discontinued. Owners still under warranty had to get their cars bought back because Ford could not honor their warranty obligations. @TomMoloughney at StateOfCharge seemed to think this wouldn't happen since FFE was a compliance car and Ford sold so many Lightnings, but I think this is an early indicator that previous behaviors are a more solid predictor than hopes and dreams.

This is happening all across the Automotive industry unfortunately. Modules, body panels, u name it. Not just to Ford, & not just to our Lightnings.
Does that make it right? Of course not. I'd love to be able to 3D print one of these, but

 

[Ted23Lightning]

I think this is an anomoly, and Ford will actually bring back the Lightning soon with lots of cross parts. I recently found out this particular truck of the OP's has a VERY checkered past form CA and I think the generous and quick buyback offer is a result of some weird combination of what is going on with the coolant valve + the past. Still, this is such a simple issue that has caused a huge PR black eye, yet again, but in the grand scheme of 100k+ Lightnings out there this is not even a blip on the Ford statistical radar.

Like this?

 

[ZSC100]

Like this?

Not really, the OP's vehicle started out as a new sale in CA. With only a couple days of usage, one of its motors was diagnosed as being bad and replaced along with the inverter/driver/SOBDMB. I believe what happened from there is the dealer swapped it for another new lightning because it was essentially brand new as a courtesy to their customer and thus avoided the buyback branding which allowed Ford to transfer the vehicle after it was finally fixed to another dealer in another state and basically sell it as new. This worked back when there was plenty of stock, but dealers can't do this anymore because there is no more new stock.

 

[Ted23Lightning]

Not really, the OP's vehicle started out as a new sale in CA. With only a couple days of usage, one of its motors was diagnosed as being bad and replaced along with the inverter/driver/SOBDMB. I believe what happened from there is the dealer swapped it for another new lightning because it was essentially brand new as a courtesy to their customer and thus avoided the buyback branding which allowed Ford to transfer the vehicle after it was finally fixed to another dealer in another state and basically sell it as new. This worked back when there was plenty of stock, but dealers can't do this anymore because there is no more new stock.

 

[proprepper]

I'm beginning to think I could start parting out my 22 pro for parts and make some really good money.

 

[TobyB]

Unfortunately, in this case, the 22-24 valves are not compatible. This particular truck needs to be a MU5Z-8C513-D. Your Lightning probably has a MU5Z-8C513-A.

 

[MaintGrl]

Unfortunately, in this case, the 22-24 valves are not compatible. This particular truck needs to be a MU5Z-8C513-D. Your Lightning probably has a MU5Z-8C513-A.

Dang, I hate it when that happens......

 

[TruckOwner1]

Thanks @Ford Motor Company for looking into this issue. Clearly the community is rightly concerned that a single part could prevent their vehicle from being usable for an extended time.

I think we all understand the challenges in the automotive parts sector with First Federal and other major suppliers exiting the market, tariffs, middle east conflict resulting in higher raw material costs, etc.

Ford and other manufacturers have added 3d printers to their prototype/R&D/manufacturing facilities. It might be beneficial if Ford reserved some time on these units, or invested in additional 3d printers dedicated to current owner part production in the event that something like this happens again in the future. Not all parts can be 3d printed, and this specific part might not be a good candidate. However, if there was an available resource for those parts that could be it could potentially alleviate a lot of this communities concerns and show goodwill from Ford that they are willing to invest in post-sale support.

 

[Mike G]

Bump…

So where are we on this? Any word back on when the supply chain wagon train will be pullin into the station?

…or is it on a packet freighter out of Shenzen?

 

[TobyB]

Hello, Brian (not AI) promised that Ford would get in touch with our local Ford dealer early this week. Haven't heard anything. By Friday or Monday, I have to make a decision, I am out of options and if the valve doesn't come through, will have to go with a buyback.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Hello, Brian (not AI) promised that Ford would get in touch with our local Ford dealer early this week. Haven't heard anything. By Friday or Monday, I have to make a decision, I am out of options and if the valve doesn't come through, will have to go with a buyback.

Just curious, how do you know Ford has not been in touch with the dealer?

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