Limp Mode on the Track

[montreal ponies]

Just my 2 cents...I did not buy mine to primarily track but did want the coolers to have the flexibility in case I wanted to evolve into tracking it. I haven't gone yet so I'll be interested in those with Tech who have and if the problem is consistant. If it is I would love the opportunity to upgrade (willing to pay reasonable $), through Ford, to add a Trans cooler.

+1

Disappointed that I paid $7500 because I wanted a nice stereo and seats, then it came with a decent at best stereo and none of these coolers. Seems like they have addressed these things with '17. Not sure who's call it was in the first place. I'll be pretty angry if it goes into limp mode come me taking it to the track in the spring. They should have advertised that a Tech car is not for track use, instead of advertising it as the most track capable mustang ever (with a big invisible asterisk.)

With the pressure of the new the que tuCamaro, and the 1LE package coming out soon I would think Ford would want to steer clear, very clear of any and all bad publicity. This is the new age, millennials and the younger generation are all over these forums and via social media they could have a lot of the positivity and goodwill thrown this cars way tarnished by hundreds of websites and other media outlets running articles on missed expectations and "the most trackable mustang ever" going limp. The competition alone would certainly run it for everything its worth. Ford has had a very very positive few quarters with pretty much everyone raving about the car, driving feet to the dealerships, and generally promoting mustang in a positive light. It just isn't worth it for them to not provide something. I don't know anyone that wouldn't pay for it. If they just would not have gimped the tranny to save a buck it would be a non issue for me. I would have factory cooler on order waiting for delivery / install at the dealer as we speak.

I definitely do NOT agree with any type of legal action approach. I would just like to see a viable solution from Ford Performance for Base/tech owners that intend to track their cars.

Maybe even a supported by Ford aftermarket solution that won't void your warranty.

Well i feel the same but we need to get this issue looked at by people in the know at FoMoCo . We have talk the talk , so now let's walk the walk.
Anyone wants to start a poll to see who is interested in getting coolers !

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[SVTDSM]

Based on past events on this forum that prove Ford watches this site, I'd bet they are already in this thread.

 

[Essex Wire]

As I said way above in the beginning, I think we're in the very earl, wait-and-see mode. I'm not saying I (or we) are anywhere near legal action or even threatening legal action, I'm just saying it's a viable option of last resort IF 1) the overheat/"limp mode" shutdown is a proven common problem in our Tech cars (I will test mine soon); 2) Ford refuses to make an appropriate accommodation to those of us who were mislead (and I count myself as one of them); and 3) qualified consumer products/false advertising attorneys give an assessment of the potential claim.

And a couple small specific responses:

1) it hasn't been "only one" guy/car that reported the problem, it's been at least 3 with the exact same issue and in varying track conditions.

2) the statement buried in the middle of the Owner's Manual warning about using the car on track without oil coolers should not save Ford from liability. How would you feel after buying a box of aspirin (or any product) and reading for the first time in the instructions that they can't be used for "severe headaches" and may even be harmful if taken with a severe headache? Do you think that would save the aspirin maker from a claim that their claim ad campaign touting how great the product is at curing headaches was misleading to consumers?

And, yes, Ford addressing/fixing the very problems it caused by not putting a Trans and Diff cooler in all the cars and by deleting the name "Track Package" for 2017 most certainly will be a strong fact against Ford. Why didn't they do it in the first place???

Anyway, my goal is not to fight with anyone here or cause trouble for Ford. I just want what appears to be a serious wrong done to those of us who bought into Ford's campaign of what an amazing track car this would be only to find out it can't be used on track (and, I'm sorry, but they didn't put in all the track modes and apps and suspension and hype in only so we could do a couple 10-minute sessions at reduced speeds).

It's as simple as this: Ford made it perfectly clear to the public that if you opted for the Tech Pkg you would not be getting the Recaro racing seats (which I would have loved). They should have made it EQUALLY to the public that if you opted for the Tech Pkg YOU COULD NOT TAKE THE CAR ON TRACK. This is not a small or minor issue.

I really really hope Ford or aftermarket comes up with a solid, reasonable fix for this.

 

[Rogue]

You Tech Pack guys should see the Z07 guys at the track. I've only seen one and we only got to chat briefly because his Corvette went into limp mode halfway through his session and threw codes so he was rushing off to the dealer. He told me it happens everytime he tracks it and he's pissed (this was in 59 degree weather).

 

[krt22]

They should have made it EQUALLY to the public that if you opted for the Tech Pkg YOU COULD NOT TAKE THE CAR ON TRACK. This is not a small or minor issue.

No one is stopping you from taking the car to the track. You will get 10-15 minutes of good use (maybe 20 if you are out there parade lapping it) and then the car will scale down power accordingly to prevent the driveline from over-heating, EXACTLY how the manual spells it out when subject to track use.

Does it suck? Yes, especially if you were an optimist and hoping it was just typical liability fluff. Is it the end of the world? Will the car implode on the track? No and no. But you are right, if you make enough rabble rabble rabble Ford Performance and the aftermarket should respond accordingly.

 

[Essex Wire]

Oh, and I agree an Official Sticky Thread or poll or whatever should be created for this -- because you can see this very issue/questions being discussed in other related threads like "Track vs. Tech Pkg" and it'd be good to log/keep track of any similar track day problems going forward.

 

[Caballus]

Will do.

What kind of timeframe are you looking at? Want to keep track so I stay aligned going forward.

 

[SVTDSM]

I'm going to call FP tomorrow. I'll talk to Mike and send him the links to these threads then.

 

[Caballus]

I'm going to call FP tomorrow. I'll talk to Mike and send him the links to these threads then.

Thanks. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I appreciate you taking this on. Looking forward to the update. Thanks again.

 

[jaubrey]

I'm going to call FP tomorrow. I'll talk to Mike and send him the links to these threads then.

I talked to Mike at Ford Performance today and he didn't have much to add from my last call. Which is they are an information line and if you have a problem you need to take it up with the general Ford Customer Service line.

I contacted my dealer/sales person and he said he is going to discuss with their senior mechanic and get back to me.

 

[Hack]

I think the trans has an internal pump that moves the fluid to the outboard cooler. Might need to be a trans swap if done per factory design.

And IMO it wouldn't be horrible if I had to pull the trans and disassemble it to add whatever parts are needed inside there. Even if I had to pay for the bits, pull the car apart and pull the guts out of the transmission and take the case somewhere for machining I don't think it would be that bad. I've rebuilt a couple T5s and a 3550 before, so I have the typical tools needed. That would be well worth it for me.

I definitely do NOT agree with any type of legal action approach. I would just like to see a viable solution from Ford Performance for Base/tech owners that intend to track their cars.

Maybe even a supported by Ford aftermarket solution that won't void your warranty.

Agreed. If Ford says to add coolers, I wouldn't think coolers would void the warranty, but it would be nice to have a Ford spec solution that they recommend. In my opinion the ideal would be buying the missing parts that go on the track pack car and make whatever mods are needed to get them to work. If there's absolutely no way to add a pump to a tech pack transmission, then I would assume it would be simple enough to cut one of the lines and add in an electric pump. I'd prefer not to have to put some dumb toggle switch to run that pump somewhere in the car, though.

I'm going to call FP tomorrow. I'll talk to Mike and send him the links to these threads then.

Much appreciated!

 

[Katastrophe]

Not to beat a dead horse or intentionally rustle some feathers...but what about those people who don't frequent forums until they're blue in the face?

They read the magazine articles, listen to the PR stuff and maybe browse a few brochures, etc. How were they supposed to know about these potential issues?

 

[Hack]

Not to beat a dead horse or intentionally rustle some feathers...but what about those people who don't frequent forums until they're blue in the face?

They read the magazine articles, listen to the PR stuff and maybe browse a few brochures, etc. How were they supposed to know about these potential issues?

Most track capable Mustang ever, right?

 

[SVTDSM]

I talked to Mike at Ford Performance today and he didn't have much to add from my last call. Which is they are an information line and if you have a problem you need to take it up with the general Ford Customer Service line.

I contacted my dealer/sales person and he said he is going to discuss with their senior mechanic and get back to me.

I understand that but Mike has already agreed to help me get these concerns to the right eyes/ears.

 

[jaubrey]

I understand that but Mike has already agreed to help me get these concerns to the right eyes/ears.

Great, cause I hit a brick wall with them..."should have bought the track pack..hopefully there will be an aftermarket solution..sorry you are unhappy..".

I asked how do I escalate the issue and was given the general Ford Cust Svc number.

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