My Engine Warranty Voided By DC!!!!

[DEZLPWR]

I called up my dealer to see if my failed lift pump would be covered under my engine warranty. They informed me that my engine warranty was restricted and referred me to DC customer service. DC cust service told me that my engine warranty had been voided for the following reason:

On June 19th, 2000 previous owner of my truck came into dealership complaining of an unspecified problem and dealer noticed that owner had "put a "scotch lock" on the wiring connection to fuel pump system" . They immediately voided the engine warranty at that point due to the "alterated" fuel system.



1: What the hell is a scotch lock, and why would it be on the wiring connection to the injection pump?



Here's the background info:

I bought the '99 truck used in June of 2001 with 73,000 mi (now have 76,500)from a FORD dealer not a Dodge dealer. They told me that my engine warranty was good for 5yrs/100,000.



I am very paranoid now because if the injection pump goes soon, I am out big $$$ when it would normally have been covered by DC! I can handle the cost of a new lift pump... .



Where do I go from here? Do I just fix my lift pump, and keep my fingers crossed or does the Ford dealer have any liability? (even though whenever you buy a used vehicle you sign an "as is" agreement)



Thanks!



Steve

 

[Vaman]

Steve,



The Scotch-loks are plastic connectors used to splice into an insulated wire (pretty crappy by the way). Anyhow, a lot of fueling boxes tap into the injection pump via these connectors. Looks like the previous owner installed a fueling box and DC voided the warranty. The previous owner (and the Furd dealer) should have passed this information on to you...

 

[Devildog]

I would go back to the ford dealer and try to have them cover any warranty that DC voided seeing they told you it was still under warranty

 

[Mopar-muscle]

explians why it was on a ford lot .

the previous owner knew he couldn't trade it in to a dodge dealer , as they wouldn't take it or would have given him squat for it based on the voided by DC engine warranty .



for dealler obviously didn't bother to check it out , probably didn't ask or care , just wanted to see the previous owner lweave there lot in a ford .



though its no consulation , you can get a pump for around 1300 , alot less than what DC will want .



can't even begin to figure out what direction you should go in . is the scotch lock still there ... you probably don't know where to look ?

 

[bighammer]

You dealt with a FORD dealer... . ?

 

[Vaman]

Another thought here... DC CAN'T simply void your warranty based on that Scotch-lok. They have to prove that the modifications caused whatever failure you're trying to get warranty work for. There's a case law basis for this and I don't remember the name of the case but it is out there. You might want to check into this when and if the time comes that you need to use the warranty.

 

[DEZLPWR]

Yeah, after looking, I found the scotch lok coming off the injection pump wiring harness.....



Steve

 

[JES]

Look at the bright side

I know it’s not much consolation but if you can get past the money thing now you are FREE!! of the A$$ holes at Drudge. (dodge + grudge = drudge ) All those guys want is to sell you a truck and then for you to go away. I wouldn’t let those 5 screw guys wire my dogs A$$hole shut with a fishhook even if it came with instructions. Go to your nearest Cummings dealer and get a real mechanic to work on your truck or find somebody near you who is a hot hand with Cummings and get yourself a PE Comp box hooked up to that scotch lock and really enjoy your truck. I did and it’s a super fun Fhord and Chubby eating truck now.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Re: Look at the bright side

Originally posted by JES

Go to your nearest Cummings dealer and get a real mechanic to work on your truck now.

 

[socal_rattler]

What's a Cummings?

 

[pcorssmit]

Its called the Magnuson-Moss act. Basically, it says they can't blanket-void a vehicles warranty for a modification, they have to prove the modification caused the failure. I don't see how adding a fueling box could cause a failure of the lift pump. Try asking your dealer how it can.



Pete

 

[MikeR]

You're probably not going to get anywhere with DC... they'll just say to get your lawyer involved which will be more than a pump anyway.



Obviously,there is nothing wrong with your injection pump right now. There is no way of knowing 'if' it will die... this is the gamble all of us 24v owners take just owning the truck. You may as well just replace the lift pump and not worry about the injection pump.



A Ford dealer will never know that a warranty was voided,but since it is,you may be able to go back to them and have them replace your lift pump since it's only been a short while since you bought it and they assumed the truck still had a warranty.



-Mike

 

[MoparDave]

For what is worth!!



http://www.user.fast.net/~ljbonner/zx2warranty.htm

 

[Dave Fritz]

Below is the official Dodge position on engine enhancements. Note that the 3rd paragraph does not say anything about completely voiding an engine warranty. Insted the text says "it is important to determine whether the needed repairs are a direct result of the kit". I would guess that many dealers will attempt to say that lift or injector pump failure was due to a power kit, despite the number of pumps that seem to fail without any help from such kits. Just be sure that you, as a customer, understand that a power enhancement will leave you open to a routine warranty claim denial by Dodge. You may be able to fight and win coverage of your problem, but DC is betting that you will pay the bill and go away. Robert Patton has written many times that when adding power you should fully understand the phrase "I am my own warranty station". That sounds simple enough to live with - until something big breaks and the bill for repairs is coming out of your pocket.



Good Luck SCooke, you appear to have inherited some trouble! Dave

==

WARRANTY ACTION D-00-16

Installing Aftermarket Engine Performance Enhancing Modification Packages Or Components



Date: October, 2000

Involved Vehicles: All

Discussion:



This bulletin is intended to clarify DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation's warranty coverage policy on vehicles equipped with after-market engine performance enhancing modification packages or components. Although this applies to all vehicles, Dodge Ram Pickup trucks equipped with the Cummins diesel engine are particularly susceptible to performance enhancing kits.



Section 3. 7 of the Dodge Ram Pickup warranty Information booklet states "Your warranties don't cover the costs of repairing damage or conditions caused by . . . any changes made to your truck that don't comply with DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation or DaimlerChrysler Corporation specifications. " This section also states that warranties do not cover "tampering with the emission systems, or with a part that could affect the emission systems".



Unless certified, engine performance modification components violate both statements under the warranty terms. Therefore, prior to beginning repairs to any vehicle equipped, or suspected of being equipped with a performance enhancing modification, it is important to determine whether the needed repairs are a direct result of the kit. If so, they are the customer's responsibility. Keep in mind that the performance modifications may cause damage to non-engine components, such as transmissions, axles, electrical components, etc. Claims submitted for repairs not covered by the warranty are subject to chargeback.



Also remember that dealership installation of such modification components or packages at any time, as well as the sale of vehicles modified with such components before delivery, may violate state and/or Federal emission regulations that carry substantial fines.