I have a 1997 Ranger 4.0 liter super cab, with about 70K miles on it. The "check engine" light came on a couple of days ago, so I took it to my local Precision Tune to get a diagnosis. The foreman told me that the computer readout indicated that the PCM needed to either be reprogrammed or replaced, and that he did not have the codes to attempt to reprogram it. He also told me that he thought that there is an 8-year, 80K mile federally-mandated warranty on the PCM, and that I should take it to the dealer for service.

I took the truck to the dealer, and made a service appointment, and asked about the warranty. The service writer was not certain as to the length of the warranty on my particular truck, and said that the warranty length varies by vehicle. I would like to know where I can go to find out what the specific warranty is on my truck, and what it covers. I am of the opinion that being forearmed with as much information as I can get will help me avoid getting screwed by the dealer... Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

David Leedy

 

If the computer is bad (or other major component), it sounds like it's Ford's nickel. Pasted from the EPA website:

"What Are Specified Major Emission Control Components?

There are three specified major emission control components,
covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995
and newer vehicles:

* Catalytic converters.

* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).

* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).

Catalytic converters are critical emission control components
that have been installed on most cars and trucks manufactured since
1975. Since engines don't burn fuel completely during the combustion
process, the exhaust contains a significant amount of harmful
pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of
nitrogen. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these
pollutants to less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, water
vapor, nitrogen, and oxygen before the exhaust is expelled into the
environment.

The electronic emissions control unit or computer monitors
certain powertrain functions and controls various operating parameters
to help the vehicle run efficiently and with the lowest possible
emissions. Ignition, transmission function, air injection, exhaust
gas recirculation (EGR), engine operating temperature and fuel system
parameters are some of the systems monitored and/or controlled by the
electronic emissions control unit.

The onboard emissions diagnostic device monitors the operation of
a vehicle's emission control system and alerts the driver with a
dashboard light when malfunctions occur. The system will record where
the problem is occurring and assist automotive technicians in
diagnosing and repairing emission control malfunctions. Since some
emission control malfunctions do not have an adverse effect on vehicle
performance, they can go undetected by the driver for quite some time.
The onboard diagnostic device will help catch malfunctions early,
preventing a significant output of harmful exhaust emissions from your
vehicle, and possibly in time to be covered by the emissions control
warranty. Often this "device" is part of the electronic control unit
mentioned above."

The full text of the fact sheet can be found here:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt

Print it out and take it with you to the dealer. That way they can't argue with you. Good luck.

 

Many thanks! I will go to the dealer with the printout you cited, and expect him to repair it on Ford's nickel, as you said.

I wonder if the dealer will make any noise about the fact that I have a dual exhaust system installed on the truck (dual catalysts, dual mufflers, from the exhaust headers all the way back, but with the original O2 sensors installed where they should be). I can't imagine that would have any effect whatsoever on the rest of the system, other than to reduce back pressure and give me an additional 15-20 HP.

Best regards,

David Leedy

 

Emissions on the Ford Ranger are only covered by a 5 year 60,000 mile warranty. The cat on the Ranger is covered under a 5 year 80,000 mile warranty. PCM is out of warranty on that truck..... Trucks and cars are treated differently when it comes to emissions.

 

If the dual cats are not original then yes it is illegal and voids warranty on the cats. Not having the proper setup on the O2's is also illegal when it comes to emssions. But this has nothing to do with the warranty for the PCM. If you still had a warranty for the PCM, which you don't, they would have to replace it no matter what exhaust you have on.....


>Many thanks! I will go to the dealer with the printout you
>cited, and expect him to repair it on Ford's nickel, as you
>said.
>
>I wonder if the dealer will make any noise about the fact
>that I have a dual exhaust system installed on the truck
>(dual catalysts, dual mufflers, from the exhaust headers all
>the way back, but with the original O2 sensors installed
>where they should be). I can't imagine that would have any
>effect whatsoever on the rest of the system, other than to
>reduce back pressure and give me an additional 15-20 HP.
>
>Best regards,
>
>David Leedy