Mk3 Focus 2011 1.6Tdci - Pcm Update

[lowey2014]

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice please...

I've recently had my car serviced (50,000 miles) by Ford Bristol Street Motors (as this is where I bought my car, and have a service plan with them), not to long after the service, when getting on the motorway in third gear and putting my foot down to pull away (over 3000 revs) I lost all power and had a message on the dash saying 'Engine Malfunction - Please service Now'.

So I pulled over, turned off the engine waited a few minutes and started it back up for it to run fine (until I take it over 3000 revs in or above third gear).

Bristol Street have had it back in and had there 'Master Tech' look at the issue, and have told me I need a PCM Update, and a new fuel filter, and quoted me £346 to complete as its not covered by the extended warranty I took out when purchasing the car.

After going in to the branch and complaining to the manager on the customer service I received he has agreed to do the work at the charge of an hour rather than the 2 and a half originally quoted. So in total it would be £214 for the diagnosis (£89 which I have paid), and the work to be carried out (£125).

I just wanted to ask if this sounds correct, what they have done and what they have quoted with the circumstances of the service etc...

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Dan

[alexp999]

So you are under extended warranty but they don't want to cover it?

If you need a PCM update then that should be covered under warranty.

You should only be paying for the new fuel filter and fitting.

[mjt]

When the warranty was issued you should have been given a copy of the terms and conditions which will state what is, and is not, covered. Have you read through this to check? Often these extended warranties only cover failure of major mechanical assemblies and may specifically exclude electrical items.

[johnH]

If you have a service plan i would play on the issue that the fuel filter wasnt replaced as per the service schedule...if they say well its too early i would then play on its too early to fail.

As for the pcm update i would say they are clutching at straws and you will only need a replacement filter...if that definitly is the fault.

[synaesthesia]

I'd say that's just the filter - and surely they'd have replaced that during the service? Or maybe they did and contaminated the lines.

At a cost of 30-40 quid I'd change that filter regardless then go from there - if the PCM needs updating then you'll be able to pick that up with a modified ELM code reader. Unlikely on a 2011 though surely!

[lowey2014]

Thanks for your replies, I did question whether it should of been replaced in the service I had but they said its not part of the 50,000 service!

I have checked and it is the 'Motor Assured Used Car Warranty' I have with them, it states - 'The warranty covers the replacement of mechanical and electrical parts which have suffered mechanical breakdown. It also covers the cost of labour to fit parts'.

Would you class it as a mechanical breakdown if they say it needs to be updated?

I think I am just going to get the job done by them at the price they have offered and see if they fix my car.

Cheers again!

Dan

[james_60]

37500 is the change interval from ford

as i keep saying again and again change it at 10k miles its only a filter

Jamie

[Dee_82]

damned expensive filter mind!

the PCM isn't a serviceable part, it wont brake down as such (water ingress or electrical damage aside which wouldn't be fixable with an update) if there is as problem and its in warranty they should be fixing it. if its fixable with an update than it must have been wrong to start with, it cant magically go wrong like a windows computer and there is nothing you can do to make it go wrong that would be fixable with an update UNLESS you have been poking around with it with a modified ELM 327 or similar device, in which case your out of luck

[MONDEO TXS 2.2]

I agree with the filter change interval - 37,500 is excessive no matter what Fraud say, so replacing it every 12,000 or yearly is far more sensible & results in preventative maintenance

[lowey2014]

No I haven't messed about the PCM module myself, they said it needed the PCM update as it was taking longer than usual to 're-learn'.

[alexp999]

No I haven't messed about the PCM module myself, they said it needed the PCM update as it was taking longer than usual to 're-learn'.

In which case it is an inherent problem with the software that was supplied on the car. i.e. a manufacturing defect.

I'd be pushing for the update to be done under warranty.