Is it true that installing gauges will void the warranty?

How can installing something that will prevent damage void the warranty?


Juan

 

Is it true that installing gauges will void the warranty? Generally, no.

How can installing something that will prevent damage void the warranty? If installed improperly or you cause damage in the process some warrenty coverage could be lost. But if done correctly it would not affect the warrenty.

Issue for dealer though is that many who have guages also have tuners and Ford will not reimburse a dealer for warrenty work performed when speed/power device causes damage. Now someone will want to say that Ford has to prove the mod caused the damage. That is wrong. Ford just refuses the payment to the dealer and you and/or dealer have to sue Ford. An expensive proposition at best.

RoyC

 

I can see, if the gauges caused a problem, but what could the possibly cause?

Trans Temp: Remove factory plug and install a sender
Pyro: Drill and tap manifold for thermocouple
Volts: Parallel connection to the battery system

I just can see how any of these mods could cause the warranty to be canceled.

Also, not all who want gauges will install chips or performance mods. If Ford lumps all of us into that catagory that it would be an easy fight in court, as they have the burden of proof.

Juan

 

I just installed volts, trans temp, and pyro..I told my dealer i was doing this..They had no problem with it and didn't say anything about warranty issues....My reasoning especially for the pyro gauge is because i have been having problems with too rich of a cylinder burn and smoking....I want to see what my egt is when this smoking is happening...I mounted the probe in the down pipe after the turbo..SO if any chance anything went wrong with the probe or it broke off it wouldn't get to the turbo and cause a failure..I also know that it may not be as accurate as it would be if i installed it in the exhaust manifold but it will give me a general idea..I can't see ford saying i'm using a tuner or a chip when i have an ongoing problem....as for trans temp....I pull a 10,000lb boat..I have a right to know the temperature by degrees not by a idiot gauge with no numbers...and finally the volt meter.....2 wires..ground and ignition..no wires to the battery.....just my 2 cents

 

I have one of the worst dealerships for after market stuff and they even said gauges were AOK.

 

Does Ford offer to install gauges? I could not imaging that if they install it, they would void any warranty. I think Ford would run into serious issues if that happened.

 

parcours,

We/I have been selling gauges since the late 90's and I have not ever had a customer call me back with a warranty issue on gauges. I wouldn't be too concerned. Call us if you have any questions on gauges, we'll be glad to help.

Mark @ DPPI

 

I have installed lift kits, wheels, tires, chips, exhaust, intakes, etc... on new trucks or trucks still under warranty. The aftermarket items are not covered under warranty, but the rest of the truck still is (as long as the aftermarket parts didn't cause the problem). Any problems with the installed parts are covered by either the customer or our dealership.

In my experience, guages are normally accompanied by chips or tuners. That is a good thing, IMO. I would rather someone have guages and be able to monitor what is going on, than not have guages and damage their engine/tranny.

I don't have a problem repairing a modified truck under warranty. I do appreciate it when the customer is honest about mods, because it makes my job of diagnosing a concern easier. Every dealership is different, though. Some are much stricter on mods than others.

 

On labor day weekend, I was at the dealership where I bought my truck (wanted to trade for an 06) and the sales manager told me it isn't up to the dealership whether to cover turbos under warranty or night. He said because there were so many problems, when one comes in, the computer has to be overnighted to ford where they check it out to see if it has been chipped or not. He even said that the dealership owners best friend had to pay for repairs because ford found out it was chipped. And they claim to be the largest ford dealership. Is that true?
steve

 

I've never heard of anything like that. In fact, just this past week, I got approval from Ford to replace a 6.0l that had been overheated due to coolant loss. All it took was filling out an online form and a call to the prior-approval hotline.

This truck had no mods (to the best of my knowledge). It is a company truck that is used primarily for towing a large, enclosed trailer. They have had it worked on all over the country for various engine and driveability problems. I pushed for a new engine because of the prior repairs and engine condition this time. Ford stepped up to the plate to the tune of around $15k or so.

BTW, most sales managers have no idea what goes on in the shop. They are only concerned with how much money is being made.

 

Maybe because they are such a large dealership, they have more failed turbo claims, and are thereby getting scrutinized by ford more.

 

It is possible that their diesel warranty repair numbers are higher than average, but I haven't heard anything about sending PCM's off to be inspected before a repair is authorized. FWIW, of the hundreds of 6.0l trucks I have worked on, I have only had to replace 2 turbos.

Maybe Super Steve lives in a very mod-happy region, and Ford is cracking down on warranty claims filed on modded trucks?

 

I have read the threads on warranty issues and my service tech at the dealer told me when I ask him about chipping and piping my truck he said go ahead it wont hurt it, the problem ford has had out the 6.0 has not been out of modified engines it been out of everyday haulers and un modified 6.0s turbos ,headgsakets ,injectors, sensors and computer programming. He even told the district rep in a meeting they held at the dealership on warranty issues that the problems were not coming from the modified trucks, they were coming from the trucks old farmers were buying just to be able to get a cow to market that did not even know what a modification even was, but my dealership is mod friendly and the service tech has a highly modified 2004 6.0 and I bet they have never denied him any warranty claimes.

 

To void the warranty (or at least part of) after installing gauges is like voiding the warranty if your changing the oil too often. Gauges are a “better than” condition to safeguard your purchase… If your aftermarket gauges fail you always have the factory set of gauges that Ford deemed “worthy” to rely on. Ford has to recognize that you are improving your chances to catch an anomaly or defect that could cause serious damage… If my boost/EGT’s/Trans Temp is too high/low, I won’t keep running my truck. Be me spending a few extra bucks, we both (Ford and me) might save a little cash. I hope my homeowner’s policy won’t be voided by installing two more smoke detectors…

 

I hope my homeowner’s policy won’t be voided by installing two more smoke detectors…
Thats funny.lol